A Deep Sigh

There’s only two occasions where Jesus is recorded as having “sighed” (here & 7:34). In Mark 7:34 Jesus “sighed” as he healed a man who had an “impediment in his speech” (vs. 32). Here, in Mark 8:12, Jesus sighed over the hypocrisy of the Pharisees in their questioning of him for a sign.

The act of a sigh occurs 18 times in different parts of speech (“sigh,” “sighing,” “sighed,” “sighest”) and there is sure to be a connection to Jesus’ sigh here in Mark.

The act of a “sigh” is “a single deep respiration; a long breath; the inhaling of a larger quantity of air than usual and immediate emission of it; the opening of the lungs to give vigor to the circulation of the blood.” Sighs usually occur when tired, grieving, angry, or catching one’s breath.

Perhaps, Jesus, in his humanity, is experiencing any number of reasons for a sigh; having been on a long journey, expelling much energy, and now being tired he faces the onslaught of questions by his enemies. Perhaps it’s a fulfillment of prophecy from Lamentations and/or Ezekiel.

Whatever the reason(s), we can take comfort in the fact that our Lord “sighed deeply in his spirit,” and we all at some point or another, for one reason or another, have “sighed deeply” in our spirit. Remember, Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)