thumb|250px|Christ Healing the Blind Man by [[Andrei Mironov (painter)|A. Mironov]]
The Blind Man of Bethsaida is the subject of one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels. It is found only in Mark 8:22–26. The exact location of Bethsaida in this pericope is subject to debate among scholars but is likely to have been Bethsaida Julias, on the north shore of Lake Galilee.
Claim of authenticity for the narrative
Even though the story is found only in Mark, some claim that its authenticity is supported by the criterion of embarrassment, arguing that early Christians would not have been happy that Jesus's first attempt at the miracle seems to fail. Another interpretation is given by Bede, who argues that "by this miracle, Christ teaches us how great is the spiritual blindness of man, which only by degrees, and by successive stages, can come to the light of Divine knowledge".
Other mentions of miracles in Bethsaida in canonical Gospels
The New Testament describes only one other miracle performed in Bethsaida, the feeding of the multitude in Luke 9:16, although John 21:25 states that many more things were done by Jesus than have been recorded.
Narrative of Jesus cursing Bethsaida
According to Matthew 11:21, Jesus cursed the city for its lack of belief in him despite "the mighty works done in you".
See also
- Life of Jesus in the New Testament
- Ministry of Jesus
- Parables of Jesus
- Exorcising the blind and mute man
- Healing the blind near Jericho [blind Bartimaeus]
- Healing the man blind from birth
- Healing the two blind men in Galilee