(chapter 10 will follow in the next issue)
Observe the Text to understand the author’s meaning:
Read 9:1-8 In vs 1 Jesus probably was talking about his resurrection which would be a manifestation of the Kingdom of God.
Peter who confessed Christ, then denied him, is now one of the three who sees the transfiguration. This is a glimpse into heaven. Compare vs 3 to Rev 1:12-17, Daniel 7:9-10,13-14, Ezekiel 1:26-28, Exodus 34:28-29,34-35.
Can you speculate on why Jesus took these three with him. James and John were brothers. See 1:16-19, Acts 3:16(this is where Jesus changes “Simon” to “Peter”) What roles did they play later. See Acts 1:13, 15.
Why do Elijah and Moses appear? What do we associate with them? See Malachi 4:4-6.
What is Peter’s response to this heavenly visitation?
Why does this seem strange to us now but would have made perfect sense to Peter who envisioned a Messiah King after the order of Solomon and David? Peter is drawing an analogy with the OT when God’s glory filled the temple and God dwelt there. 1 Kings 8:11, 8:22ff.
In vs 6 what is one motivation for Peter’s response?
In vs 7 God speaks again. Notice the clouds are similar to Dan 7. What does God say? Where has God said this before in Mark?
In these few words, how does God identify Jesus to set him apart from human beings, even from Elijah and Moses?
What is God’s command to the disciples? Give another word for “listen.” The prophets prefixed their statements with “Thus saith the Lord”–see Ex 20:1, Jeremiah, 9:23, 10:1-2. The command in Scripture was always, “listen to God.” Now God is saying that same thing about Jesus– “listen to him.”
Read 9:9-13. Notice again in vs 9 the call to secrecy until after the resurrection. They had just seen Moses and Elijah and now Jesus talks about rising from the dead. Understandably they are confused!
Then the disciples ask about Elijah. It is interesting here that they attribute the notion of Elijah’s return to the scribes rather than “it has been said” or “the law” or “Malachi.” Elijah is mentioned in Malachi 4:6-8. In Acts 4:13, Peter and John are called “uneducated and untrained” so probably their understanding of the OT came from the teaching of the scribes–which is part of the problem.
Who is Jesus referring to when he says Elijah has indeed come? Jesus is not saying that John is the re-incarnation of Elijah, what is he saying? Jesus shows the OT was fulfilled but not the way the disciples expected it.
Read 9:14-29. When Jesus returns with James, John and Peter, a group of scribes are arguing with the disciples. Want to speculate on what they are saying based on the rest of the narrative?
What is the problem? How did the father ask the disciples to cure his son? Who has the unbelief that Jesus speaks about? Why do you think Jesus made a point of how long the boy had this problem?
Jesus speaks and the spirit comes out, why do you think Jesus allowed the boy to cry out and go into terrible convulsions? Again notice the difference between before and after–this is similar to chapter 5, the man among the tombs.
Was the father changed from vs 18 to vs 24 by Jesus’ questions and comments? What drove the father to Jesus and the disciples? Jesus was not just a magic healer that people could “tell” to heal them. He was the Son of God, who would only heal when faith was present. See 6:5-6.
When the disciples ask why they could not heal the boy, what is Jesus’ answer? What does Jesus mean? Who are they to seek power from?
Read 9:30-32. Notice again the call for secrecy. Again, Jesus tells his disciples what to expect in the coming days. Notice how plain and clear Jesus makes his statement–”they will kill him and when he has been killed…” 8:32 also said that Jesus “was stating the matter plainly.” Why the need for this clarity? Why is Jesus repeatedly telling his disciples the depressing things that lie ahead?
Notice when the boy in the previous narrative is healed, he looks dead and Jesus “raised him.”
In spite of the clarity and repetition what is the response of the disciples? What could have made the disciples “afraid to ask Him?” Perhaps the word, “betrayed” or “delivered”–they may have been afraid it was one of them who would betray him.
Read 9: 33-37. Notice Jesus is in Capernaum–still around the Sea of Galilee in the north. Jesus, their leader, is talking about being killed and the disciples are arguing over which of them is the greatest. The disciples were still thinking in terms of royalty, a Kingdom like David’s, pomp and circumstance, wealth, earthly power. With all the multitudes following them, with Jesus’ power to heal and feed, they must have envisioned a kingdom without death, without suffering, with only joy and glory. And it will be like that but not yet!
Jesus turns their model of the kingdom upside down and talks about servanthood. What does it mean to be “servant of all.” How was Jesus servant of all?
What does servant of all mean in terms of our relationship with God? with Others? Who is our master? What does Jesus say servanthood is according to vs 36-37?
Read 9:38-50. Jesus then talks about who is for and who is against him. Who do the disciples suggest is against him in vs 38-39?
What is the man doing? Why do the disciples object to him? What motivates them right after this discussion on who is greatest?
Jesus however, suggests that while he may be a counterfeit, he is doing no harm because he casts out demons in Jesus’ name. How does Jesus know who is with and who is against him?
Then Jesus gives some examples of those who are for and those who are against him. Who is for Jesus in vs 41?
Christ is preparing the disciples for the crucifixion and resurrection. He is explaining what his death means, what their roles will be and eventually what their death will mean. So given that understanding, who are the ones who may cause stumbling in the next weeks as Jesus moves toward the cross? Pharisees, scribes, Jews(Paul speaks of the church as the body of Christ–part of the body is cut off), others?
Notice it is not just giving “anyone” or “everyone” a cup of water but to do it precisely because these men are followers of Jesus. To do that is to identify yourself with Jesus, perhaps publicly. While we are to care for others in need, we are to take special care of those within the household of faith.
Who is against Jesus in vs 42? “Little ones” may mean “humble one” and not child. Also notice these are ones who believe. So the issue is a spiritual one–causing one with little faith to stumble in their faith. Can you think of any example where we cause one another to stumble?
What does vs 49 mean? Again in light of the cross and coming suffering?
Remembering that “salt” and “fire” are used in Scripture to purify, there will be suffering but it has purpose–it is still according to God’s will and plan.
What is the distinction that Jesus makes between the person casting out demons in his name in vs 38-39 and those that cause others to stumble?
What is the difference in their fruit? What is the fate of each? Those who cause others to stumble as well as those who bear fruit for Christ will experience fire. What will it do to the one group? to the other?
What does vs 50 mean? It seems here Christ uses “salt” as a preservative, although it also could be seen as a purifier. Preserving what?
Who are they at peace with? the world? or each other?
Interpret the Text:
1. Jesus has just given them a glimpse of his heavenly glory. This is a high point. But what do we learn from his teachings about the nature of the kingdom of God for Jesus and the disciples? What is Jesus telling them about their future.
2. Throughout Mark, Jesus has absolute power to heal physical problems, cast out demons, etc. But there is always a relationship between physical healing and spiritual healing. What is that?
While Jesus’ miracles are ways God cares for the “sheep”, and shows his sovereignty over every situation, he did not come to eliminate every disease, but to show who he is and to bring spiritual healing.
3. What in this chapter causes suffering? for the disciples? for the Pharisees? Can suffering be “good?” Is it always to be feared and avoided?
4. Where do you see grace in this chapter? judgment?
Bible Study Notes
(Compare these notes to your thoughts after you have looked at the passages and answered the questions yourself)
Mark 9:1-8. These three were leaders, mentioned first in the list in Acts and then Peter immediately stands up and takes control. Peter preaches the first sermon in Acts 2:14. In Acts 3:1 Peter and John go up to the temple. Acts 4:1-3, 13, 18-19 Peter and John are put in jail. In Acts 12:1-2 James is martyred. (Stephen was already martyred in Acts 7–so James was not the first martyr but the first disciple who was martyred)
Calvin also suggests that the transfiguration showed these men that Jesus went willingly to the cross in obedience to the Father. The transfiguration shows Christ is fully divine, even though his divinity is “hidden under the veil of the flesh.”
Mark 9:14-29. There are two ways to interpret Jesus’ answer to the disciples–first that the spirit was particularly strong and needed more power from God to be removed. But he also might have meant that the disciples could not heal, in fact should not heal, when faith was not present. Faith comes from a heart touched by God. So, the disciples’ prayer was for this man to know Jesus as the Son of God with power and authority. In the midst of physical healing, Jesus gives spiritual healing.
Mark 9:33-37. Notice the upside-downness of the kingdom of God. Being greatest is not ruling over princes but caring for a child. When a disciple receives a child, it is Jesus they receive and the Father. Now that is being the greatest! That is wealth, power, authority, prestige, ….. Mother Theresa is an example!
Mark 9:38-50. Then Jesus explains how serious it is to stumble. These can be understood two ways. First, the responsibilities of leadership–we are not to cause others to stumble. Or, it can be understood how serious it is if someone else causes the disciples to stumble.
The importance of the disciples’ mission is to spread the truth about Jesus Christ after his death and resurrection. Being at peace with one another would help their mission, after all they are a small group of men who will be hated just as their leader was hated. They need each other!
This study first appeared in Theology Matters, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Jul/Aug 1996).
