Mark Chapter Nine
The Transfiguration
[Text parallels Matthew 16:28-17:13 and Luke 9:27-36]
9:1 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
This is another highly controversial verse[1]. Some believe that Jesus was saying that a few of the people listening to Him would remain alive until His Second Coming. However, the wording and context does not support that belief. It is a reference to some of them listening to Him in this group being able to witness the visible manifestation of His divine glory, known as the Transfiguration, a glimpse of the kingdom of God when it arrives. Since Jesus in this verse is likely still addressing the crowd and disciples recorded in Mark 8:34-38, that it should have been the last verse of chapter eight.
9:2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
Those individuals that were to witness the transfiguration were Peter, James, and John. Six days after Jesus spoke to His disciples and the crowd about how to follow Him, He takes these three up a high mountain and ‘transfigured’ (Greek ‘metemorphōthē’,[2] change form) in front of them, as His clothes became radiant (Greek ’stilbonta’,[3] to shine) and intensely white, brighter than anything man could ever achieve. Then Elijah and Moses appear and begin to talk to Jesus. This supernatural presentation certainly overwhelmed the three disciples as they were terrified. Not knowing what to do or say, Peter tells Jesus that they could make tents for each of them. Soon a cloud overshadowed them and a voice saying, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him,” came out of the cloud. Then suddenly both Elijah and Moses were gone.[4]
9:9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
Jesus instructed the three to not tell anyone what they had seen until after He rose from the dead. Since they still did not comprehend Jesus’ role in God’s plan for salvation, that He had to live a sinless life, suffer, die, and rise to life again, they were wondering what Jesus meant about rising from the dead. They then ask Jesus, why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first? Jesus affirms that Elijah does come first to restore all things (as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6). Jesus then asks if that is true, how is it written that He should suffer and be treated with contempt? (For example see Psalm 22:6-7; Isaiah 53:2-3; Daniel 9:26; Zechariah 13:7) Jesus then states that Elijah had already come,[5] by calling people to repentance, John the Baptist restored much of the people of Israel bring them back to God. But the leadership did to him as they pleased just as what was planned for Elijah in the Old Testament (see 1 Kings 19:1-10). It is interesting to note that Elijah did not die and suffer as Jezebel desired (Elijah was taken by God, see 2 Kings 2;1-14), but John the Baptist did die in the hands of a “Jezebel-like” leader. Jesus points out that the Son of Man (Himself) will likewise suffer and be rejected.
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
[Text parallels Matthew 17:14-21 and Luke 9:37-43a]
9:14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
When Jesus, Peter, James, and John came to rejoin the other disciples, they noticed a large crowd had formed around them as the scribes were arguing with them. Then the crowd saw Jesus approach and they ran to greet Him. When He came up to the other disciples Jesus asked them what they were arguing about with the scribes. Someone from the crowd spoke up and said that he brought his son to His disciples, but they could not cast out the unclean spirit that made him unable to speak and forced his body to experience unusual convulsions. Jesus replies with a harsh rebuke towards His disciples. He points out that after all the time they had with Him they should have more faith in God and know what to do. He then asks that the boy be brought to Him. As soon as the unclean spirit saw Jesus it made the boy convulse and roll around on the floor while foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father how long has the boy been possessed. He answered from childhood, he also added that the spirit would often cause the boy to step into fires and other times go into water in the attempt to kill him. The man pleaded with Jesus that if He could, have compassion and heal the boy. Jesus quickly responded, “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” (Verse 23, NLT) Jesus again emphasizes the importance of having faith in God (see Mark 5:34-36; 6:5-6). The boy’s father then in desperation pleads with Jesus to help his unbelief, a valuable lesson for all Christians as even those that have a strong faith often have some doubt. When Jesus noticed that the crowd was getting larger, He rebuked the unclean spirit, calling it to come out and never return. The spirit made the boy convulse again and then came out leaving the boy lie still and many in the crowd thought he was dead. Jesus picked the boy up and then he stood up on his own, free of the demon.
Later when they entered the house, the disciples privately asked Jesus why they could not cast the unclean spirit out. Jesus said that, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” This is another valuable lesson, Christians should never act on their own without prayer. The power comes from God and God alone. Whenever in a situation that requires the power of God, regardless if it is just a conversation or an encounter with something more dangerous, prayer should always precede any word or action. The apostle Paul probably had the best suggestion, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19) and “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection
[Text parallels Matthew 17:22-23 and Luke 9:43b-45]
9:30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
Jesus and His disciples begin to leave the Galilee area, which closes His public ministry in this region. As they traveled, Jesus did not want the public to follow as He desired to privately teach His disciples. He once again tells them that He will be delivered (handed over, arrested) into the hands of the authorities who will have Him killed (see Mark 8:31-33). Then after three days, He will rise from the grave. Sadly, the disciples still did not understand and were afraid to ask for clarification.
Which One Is The Greatest?
[Text parallels Matthew 18:1-5 and Luke 9:46-48]
9:33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
When they arrived back at the house in Capernaum, Jesus asked His disciples what they were talking about while they were walking. They remained quiet as they were arguing with each other as to which one of them was greater. Knowing what they were talking about, Jesus has them sit down to explain how to be a great follower. He begins by saying, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” Jesus is saying that to be a true servant of God requires one to always be thinking of others before thinking about themselves. Jesus then took a child (often thought to be Peter’s son) and put him in front of them and then picked him up in his arms and told them that whoever accepts a child like this boy, in His name, receives Him, and whoever receives Him, receives His Father. In Matthew’s account he adds that one must be like a child, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) Believers must have faith like a child and be humble like a child. Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that when they were arguing about which one of them was greater, that their pride was driving the argument, which is the opposite of humility.
Considerations
Christians often believe that Christianity is about themselves, but Jesus never taught that. While it is true that God loves everyone and wants everyone to come to Jesus and repent of their sins (see 2 Peter 3:9) and that He takes care of every believer, that once a person is saved they are now His (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). Life is no longer about them, its all about Jesus, which is why Christians are to do as He commands. He made it clear in the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, emphasis added) The focus for all Christians should be to serve God through obedience to Jesus. He made it clear through example and teaching that Christians were to be humble servants, and as such, others always come first. Perhaps being the opposite of human nature, humility is difficult, that is why Christians need to pray, as the ability and strength to be humble comes from God.
Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us
[Text parallels Luke 9:49-50]
9:38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.
John, one of Jesus’ disciples, noticed that someone, other than one of Jesus’ followers, was casting out demons. Perhaps jealous of the person, or simply confused as to how God’s work was done (God chose to work through people), John tried to stop him because that person was not committed to following them. Jesus told John that he should not have tried to stop the man, as anyone who does a mighty work in His name would not later speak against Him.[6] Jesus then clarifies, “For the one who is not against us is for us.” We need to understand that this is a highly controversial verse, often thought to mean that all people that call themselves Christians, regardless of belief, should embrace and work together, however, that is not what He is referring to. The verse conveys a simple truth, if someone is not actively opposing Christians and Christianity, they are not enemies. Understanding that pride influenced John when he tried to oppose this man, Jesus returns to the theme of humility with an illustration. That anyone who gives another person a cup of water to drink because that person is a Christian, will not lose his reward (Greek ‘misthon’,[7] wages for their effort). It is important to note that this is not a reference to salvation, it is more in alignment with Solomon’s words found in Proverbs 22:4 “The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.”
Warning Against Temptation to Sin
[Text parallels Matthew 18:7-14 and Luke 17:1-4]
9:42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Jesus continues teaching about what it means to be a disciple, a follower of His. Christians need to be aware what they say and do around others. Jesus says that anyone who causes “little ones’ (Greek ‘mikrōn’,[8] a young or less mature) believers to sin, it would be better for them if a huge millstone (a very heavy round stone with a hole in the middle) was hung around their neck and thrown in the sea. This is truly an alarming warning coming from Jesus. First of all, this again is not a reference to losing salvation, it is a stern warning that Christians have a responsibility to be careful that they do not influence new or less-mature believers with inappropriate actions or incorrect theology. The “cascading effect” (others embracing the same error), could lead to many to sin. Christians are to be ambassadors of Jesus (see 2 Corinthians 5:20) as they are watched by both unbelievers and believers alike. If a believer continues to sin, they become further detached from Jesus, effectively losing their fellowship with Him.
Using several shocking illustrations, Jesus teaches the importance of avoiding temptation and sin. He says: 1) If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off, as it would be better to go through life crippled than have two hands and end up in hell; 2) If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off, it is better to be lame, than be thrown into hell; 3) If your eye causes you to sin, tear it out, it is easier to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than be thrown into hell where their worm (maggots) never dies and the fire never goes out. While it is understood that the body parts mentioned are not responsible for the sin, Jesus used these exaggerated illustrations to get the listener’s attention to strongly emphasize that temptation and sin should always be avoided.[9] Christians often think that it is ‘okay’ to sin since they are forgiven. The apostle Paul warns, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Romans 6:1-2) Even though Christians are forgiven, they still sin, the sin that both Jesus and Paul are primarily referring to are those sins that are often repeated.[10] The warning is clear, sin can effect one’s relationship with God. Remember, Jesus paid the price for our sin so that we can have eternal life with Him, not to provide a way for believers to continue sinning.
Jesus then notes that all believers will be salted with fire. Similar to the wording of Matthew 5:13 in the Sermon on the Mount, regarding being “the salt of the earth,” Jesus warns that salt can lose its saltiness[11], if this salt that each Christian is salted with fire (given by God) is a reference to what makes Christians unique, and can be lost, it is likely related to their ability to witness. If a Christian does something wrong and that sin is seen by unbelievers, their ability to be an effective witness to them can be irreversibly lost. Jesus calls each believer to have salt in them and to be at peace with others, and to be an effective witness for Him.
⇐Previous Chapter (Introduction/Index) Next Chapter⇒
[1] See also commentary under Matthew 16:24-28.
[2] Strong’s Greek 3339.
[3] Strong’s Greek 4744.
[4] See also Commentary under Matthew 17:1-8 and Considerations under Matthew 17:9-13.
[5] Matthew records that the disciples understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist (see Matthew 17:13).
[6] See Considerations under Luke 9:49-50 "A Contraposition?"
[7] Strong’s Greek 3408.
[8] Strong’s Greek 3398.
[9] See commentary under Matthew 18:7-9.
[10] See commentary under Matthew 12:33-37.
[11] See Considerations under Matthew 5:14-16 “No Secret Agents Need Apply.”