Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com
Mark Chapter 8
I have compassion (σπλαγχνίξομαι)
A peculiar verb, from σπλάγχνα, the inward parts, especially the nobler entrails - the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These came gradually to denote the seat of the affections, like our word heart. This explains the frequent use of the word bowels in the A. V. in the sense of tender mercy, affection, compassion. See Luk 1:78; Co2 7:15; Phi 1:8; Plm 1:7, Plm 1:12, Plm 1:20. The Rev. has properly rejected it in every such case, using it only in its literal sense in the single passage, Act 1:18.
They have been with me (προσμένουσιν)
Lit., they continue, as Rev.
Faint
See on Mat 15:32. Wyc., fail.
Some of them came from far
Peculiar to Mark.
To sit down (ἀναπεσεῖν)
Lit., to recline.
Brake and gave
See on Mar 6:41.
Were filled
See on Mat 5:6. Wyc., fulfilled. Tynd., sufficed.
Baskets
See on Mat 14:20.
Four thousand
Matthew (Mat 15:38) here adds a detail which we should rather expect in Mark: beside women and children.
With his disciples
Peculiar to Mark.
Began
The beginnings of things seem to have a peculiar interest for Mark. See Mar 1:1, Mar 1:45; Mar 4:1; Mar 5:17, Mar 5:20; Mar 6:2, Mar 6:7, Mar 6:34, Mar 6:55.
Sign (σημεῖον)
See on Mat 11:20. Wyc., token. As applied to the miracles of our Lord, this word emphasizes their ethical purport, as declaring that the miraculous act points back of itself to the grace and power or divine character or authority of the doer.
Sighed deeply in his spirit
Peculiar to Mark.
There shall no sign be given (εἰ δοθήσεται σημεῖον)
Lit., if a sign shall be given. The expression is elliptical. It is a Hebrew idiom, and is really, at bottom, a form of imprecation. If I do not thus or so, may some judgment overtake me. Compare Heb 3:11.
The one loaf is a detail given by Mark only.
Took (ἐπιλαβόμενος)
Tynd., caught.
If he saw (εἴ τι βλέπεις)
Rev., more accurately, renders the direct question: Seest thou aught ? The change of tenses is graphic. Asked (imperfect). Dost thou see (present).
I see men as trees walking (following the reading, Βλέπω τοὺς ἀνθρώπρους ὡς δένδρα περιπατοῦντας)
The Rev. reads, following the amended text, I see men, for (ὅτι) I behold (ὁρῶ) them as trees, walking. He saw them dimly. They looked like trees, large and misshapen; but he knew they were men, for they were walking about.
Made him look up
The best texts omit, and substitute διέβλεψεν, he looked stedfastly. See on Mat 7:5. Instead of vaguely staring, he fixed his eyes on definite objects.
He saw (ἐνέβλεπεν)
Imperfect tense. Continuous action. He saw and continued to see. Compare the aorist tense above: He looked stedfastly, fastened his eyes, denoting the single act, the first exercise of his restored sight.
Every man
Following the reading ἕπαντας. But the best texts read ἅπαντα, all things. So Rev.
Clearly (τηλαυγῶς)
From τῆλε, far, αὐγή, shining. The farthest things were clearly seen.
He saith (ἐπηρώτα)
More correctly, he questioned or asked. So Rev. Mark omits the commendation of Peter. See Introduction.
On Mar 8:31-33, compare notes on Mat 16:21-28.
He spake the saying openly
Mark only. Not as a secret or mystery, as in his words about being lifted up, or building the temple in three days. Not ambiguously, but explicitly. Wyc., plainly.
Jesus now pauses; for what he has to say now is to be said to all who follow him. Hence he calls the multitude with his disciples. Peculiar to Mark.
Will (θέλει)
Rev., would. See on Mat 1:19. It is more than is wishful.
His cross
The pronoun αὐτοῦ, his, is in an emphatic position.
And the gospel's
Peculiar to Mark.
Gain - lose
See on Mat 16:26.
My words
Bengel remarks that one may confess Christ in general and yet be ashamed of this or that saying.
In this adulterous and sinful generation
Peculiar to Mark.