Charles Ellicott Commentary Mark 8:24

"And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold [them] as trees, walking." — Mark 8:24 (ASV)

I see men as trees, walking.—The better manuscripts offer two words expressing different forms of perception: “I behold men, for I see them walking as trees.” His sight was not yet clear, but he interpreted what it told him correctly. The naturalness of this description of the first impression of restored sight strikes every reader.

From the perspective that views our Lord’s miracles as having a symbolic character, and being, so to speak, acted parables, we may see in this event what represents an analogous stage in the spiritual growth of people. This is a stage when truths, for which they previously had no capacity to see, are perceived for the first time but are not yet grasped in their full or definite proportions. They need a second touch of the Divine Hand, the passing away of another film of ignorance or prejudice, and then they too will see all things clearly.