Although this miracle may not seem connected with what has gone before, there is a link. It was a difficult healing which could be understood to foreshadow the removal of spiritual blindness in the disciples which Jesus would have to effect before they could serve the Kingdom of God. It would require the Resurrection to open their eyes fully (Luke 24:31-32). The miracle also relates directly to the spiritual insight which is given to Peter in the next event of the gospel, Peter's declaration that Jesus is the Messiah.

With this miracle Mark ends the first half of the gospel and brings his readers to the point where everything that follows points directly towards Jerusalem and the cross.