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. The Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign!! Jesus has just fed a second multitude with leftovers abundant and the Pharisees ask for a sign! How blind can they be? They have eyes, but they do not seem to be able to see! Such is Mark's descrip…