We will treat these texts as one. In examining them we have entered what many commentators believe is the central section of Mark's story: 8:22„10:52. The immediate context for this central section of material is the climax of the section that precedes it: Mark 6:35„8:21. We need to say a few words about 8:1-21, as it is omitted from the lectionary. Mark 8:1-9 is the story of the Gentile feeding of the multitude with bread which we have discussed in an earlier chapter. The response to Jesus' feeding of this second multitude is ironic and filled with comedy.