Perception and Prosopagnosia in Mark 8.22-26

Abstract

Our article addresses the ‘middle-blind’ status of the man from Bethsaida whom, according to Mk 8.22-26, Jesus heals in two phases. Drawing on observations from modern philosophical psychology and from ancient Greek and Jewish perspectives on vision, we argue that the two healing touches of Jesus are distinct in kind: the first restores the optical function of the eye, and the second enables cognitive synthesis of form. This reading better conforms to the narrative theme of ‘seeing but not perceiving’ than traditional interpretations, and it provides the theological impetus for what has otherwise been considered a discomfiting account of Jesus’ inefficiency.

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