Mark 9
And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.
16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.
33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. [44] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [46] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where
“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
and the fire is not quenched.’49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Mark 9 Meaning
Mark 9 contains several teachings and stories from Jesus that focus on faith, humility, and the importance of living a life that reflects God’s kingdom. It covers various topics such as the transfiguration of Jesus, the power of faith, the danger of causing others to stumble, and the need for purity and holiness.
Mark 9 Commentary and Explanation
In Mark 9, we embark on a journey through various encounters and teachings of Jesus that leave us with profound insights into faith, discipleship, and the kingdom of God. This chapter begins with the Transfiguration, a moment of divine revelation where Jesus reveals His glory to Peter, James, and John. As we witness this breathtaking scene, we are reminded of the prophetic words spoken about Jesus in the Old Testament, particularly in Daniel and Isaiah. This event underscores Jesus’ divine identity and foreshadows His eventual triumph over sin and death.
Following the Transfiguration, we encounter a desperate father seeking healing for his demon-possessed son. The disciples’ inability to cast out the demon leads to a poignant dialogue between Jesus and the father, highlighting the importance of faith. Jesus exhorts us to believe, declaring that all things are possible for those who trust in Him. This episode challenges us to examine the depth of our own faith and reminds us of the power available to us through Christ.
In verses 30-32, Jesus foretells His impending death and resurrection. Despite His clear proclamation, the disciples struggle to grasp the significance of His words. We are reminded of the human tendency to misunderstand or ignore uncomfortable truths, even when they come from the lips of Jesus Himself. This passage prompts us to reflect on our willingness to embrace the fullness of Christ’s teachings, even when they conflict with our preconceived notions or desires.
The discussion on greatness in verses 33-37 provides a counter-cultural perspective on leadership and service. Jesus overturns societal norms by exalting humility and childlike faith. He challenges us to prioritize servanthood over self-promotion, echoing His own example of washing the disciples’ feet. This call to humble service resonates throughout the New Testament, particularly in passages like Philippians 2:3-8, where we are urged to emulate Christ’s humility.
The chapter concludes with a warning against causing others to stumble and the necessity of radical commitment to righteousness. Jesus employs vivid imagery, such as plucking out an eye or cutting off a hand, to emphasize the seriousness of sin and its consequences. While the language may seem extreme, it underscores the urgent need for repentance and wholehearted devotion to God. This passage echoes Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5:29-30, where He similarly emphasizes the importance of radical holiness.
As we reflect on Mark 9, we are confronted with the reality of Jesus’ divine identity, the centrality of faith, the call to humble service, and the seriousness of sin. Each encounter and teaching invites us into a deeper relationship with Christ and challenges us to live lives that reflect His transformative power. May we heed the lessons contained within this chapter and walk faithfully in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior.
Also Read: Luke 6:38 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Mark 9
Mark 9 occurs in the middle of Mark’s Gospel, where Jesus is spending time with His disciples and teaching them about His mission and the kingdom of God. It follows the events of Jesus predicting His death and resurrection and precedes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
This passage takes place during a period when Jesus is giving more private and intimate teachings to His disciples, preparing them for the challenges they will face and deepening their understanding of the nature of His kingdom.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Mark 9
1. Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13): Jesus reveals His divine glory to Peter, James, and John, giving them a glimpse of the heavenly realm and affirming His identity as the Son of God.
2. Faith and Power (Mark 9:14-32): Jesus heals a boy possessed by an evil spirit. He rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith and teaches them about the power of faith. He also predicts His upcoming death and resurrection, emphasizing the importance of belief and trust in Him.
3. The Danger of Causing Others to Stumble (Mark 9:33-50): Jesus warns His disciples about the severe consequences of leading others into sin. He uses strong language to emphasize the seriousness of sin and encourages radical measures to avoid temptation. He teaches them about the need for humility, service, and purity of heart.
Lessons From Mark 9
- The Transfiguration reminds us of the divine nature of Jesus and His authority. It reassures us that He is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, and our Savior. It also encourages us to seek glimpses of His glory through prayer, worship, and studying His Word.
- The power of faith is emphasized in the healing of the possessed boy. It reminds us that even a small amount of faith can move mountains, and that our trust should be in God’s power, not in our own abilities.
- Jesus’ warning about causing others to stumble reminds us of our responsibility as followers of Christ to live lives of righteousness and integrity. We should be mindful of our actions and seek to be a positive influence on those around us.
- The importance of purity and holiness is highlighted by Jesus’ strong language and radical teachings. We are reminded to take sin seriously and to do whatever it takes to avoid temptation and maintain our spiritual purity.
- Jesus’ emphasis on humility and servanthood challenges us to put others before ourselves and to value relationships more than personal success. We are called to serve and love others, especially the marginalized and the vulnerable.
Final Thoughts
Mark 9 is a rich passage that contains valuable teachings from Jesus about the nature of faith, the importance of humility and service, and the need for purity and holiness. As Christians, we are encouraged to reflect on these lessons and apply them to our lives. Let us seek to have faith in God’s power, live lives that reflect His kingdom, and serve others with humility and love.