Mark 9

1. The Kingdom Came with Power!

Verse 1___Probably the clearest passage in the entire Bible as to "when" the kingdom was to come. Jesus told those He was speaking with that they would still be alive when the kingdom came. That "kingdom" was to come with "power." Jesus has this same message in the book of Luke for his Apostles.

After the resurrection Jesus told His apostles to go Jerusalem and wait for the "power from on high." In Acts 2 we find that happened.

This is the establishment of the "church" (the assemblies or Congregations of Christ) and that establishment was with great power from heaven. The prediction (prophecy) of Mark 9:1 was herein fulfilled.

2. The Transfiguration 9:2-8

Verse 2___"After six days" tells us this event is historical. The "high" mountain is not identified. The place held by tradition is Mount Tabor but most scholars believe that Mount Hermon is a more probable site. With Jesus is Peter, James, and John. Right before their eyes, Jesus was "transfigured." Examine the word "transfigured." [meta-morphoo]

Verse 3___ It is hard to know exactly all that happened during this event. What we do know is that Jesus' clothes became extremely white. For a fleeting moment, the disciples (apostles) saw Jesus in His divine nature. The human appearance of Jesus was changed into one of a heavenly being.

Verse 4___Moses and Elijah met with Him. Now Moses was the supreme law-giver of Israel. To him the nation owed the laws of God. Elijah was the first and greatest of the prophets. Always men looked back ot him as the prophet who brought them the very voice of God. When these two men met with Jesus, the great law giver and the greatest of the prophets it was an endorsement of Jesus. In effect, they were saying "go on." Jesus was the consummation of their work.

Verse 5___As usual Peter misunderstands. He wants to start a denomination (build a tabernacle for each of these people.) If left up to Peter we would have the 1^st church of Moses and the 2^nd church of Elijah.

Verse 6___Mark tells us that Peter made these remarks because “he was frightened” and did not know what to say. Perhaps the lesson to be learned here is not to share your ignorance with other people about some matters.

Verse 7-8___The Old Testament background, where the cloud is the vehicle of God's presence, is found in Exodus 16:10, 19:9; 24:15; 33:9 and other places. In our story the cloud enveloped them. The transfiguration experience was for their spiritual instruction. God's voice from the cloud spoke authoritatively and this voice assured the disciples that Jesus belonged to God. The Jews will reject Him and the Romans will kill Him but to the Father he is beloved (John 3:16). To “listen” to Him means to “obey” Him. There is not but one form of listening in the Bible and that is “obedient listening” (James 1:22-24).

3. The Coming of Elijah (9:9-13)

Verse 9___Jesus tells His disciples to wait until after the resurrection to tell anyone about this experience. The “transfiguration” was a revelation as to the “glory” of Jesus. To proclaim this before the cross would have been in keeping with current popular ideas about the messiah.

Verse 10___Here we have a clear statement that Jesus' disciples didn't have a clue as to what was going on. They certainly did not understand the cross.

Verse 11___Those popular expectations I mentioned (v.9) are further explained here. The Jew believed that before the Messiah came Elijah would come to be his herald and forerunner (Malachi 4: 5-6). We understand that section as relating to John the Baptist but they did not. Makes one wonder what the disciples were thinking here. “If Jesus was the Messiah, what has happened to Elijah?”

Verse 12-13__Jesus explains that Elijah has come and men treated him as they willed. They took him and they killed him. Jesus was referring to John the Baptist as Elijah. The OT speaks about Elijah's relationship with Ahab and Jezebel (cf. 1st King 19:1-2). Herod and the Herodias were a "shadow and a copy" of Ahab and Jezebel, meaning as Ahab and Jezebel pursued Elijah, Herod and Herodias pursued John the Baptist.

4. All Things Possible

Verse 14___Mark has a more complete history of this story than does Matthew or Luke. This is the last "exorcism" in Mark's writings. Here the disciples engage the teachers of the law in a debate.

Verse 15___Why were people so amazed when they saw Jesus? Was it because He was still glowing from the transfiguration? That is a common view but I doubt that is the case since Jesus Himself asked the disciples not to tell of their experience. We can't know for sure but by this time He probably had a reputation.

Verses 16-18___Jesus' inquiry as to what the disciples and the crowd were arguing about brought a reply from a man who brought his son for healing (vss.16-17). The description the father gives of his sons condition is graphic. He is possessed by a spirit, and this caused a loss of speech. He has seizures accompanied by foaming at the mouth, griding his teeth and bodily rigidity (v.18). As it turns out, the man brought his son to the disciples for healing while Jesus was gone and they could not heal the boy. See 3:15 and 6:13.

Verse 19__The "unbelieving generation" here is limited to the disciples. Jesus is terribly disappointed with them. They had failed because of "lack of faith." "How long shall I stay with you?" suggests some impatience. But as we read, in teaching His disciples Jesus was never at the end of His patience with the disciples.

Verses 20-22___Here Mark describes the deadly conflict between Jesus and the demonic powers. Confronted by Jesus the demon threw the boy into convulsions that made him fall to the ground and foam at the mouth. Jesus wants to know how long the boy has been like this (v.21). The boy had been sick since childhood and had experienced numerous attacks in which the demon attempted to kill him by convulsions and throwing him into fire and water (v.22).

Verses 23-24___Now we have the "if" clause. The question here is not whether Jesus had the power to heal the boy but whether the father had the faith. "All things are possible for those who believe." The father cries out that he does believe(v.23) at the same time recognizing that his faith was not perfect and asking for help (v.24).

Verse 25___The power of Jesus is on display again. He commands the "spirit" to come out and not to enter the boy again.

Verses 26-27___The demon's exorcism is accompanied by cries and convulsions (v.26). The effect on the boy was so severe that he seemed to be dead (v.27).

Verses 28-29___ Why were the nine disciples powerless to act on the boy and the demon (v.28)?. They had been given authority over evil spirits (6:7), and had successfully cast out many demons before this incident (6:13). What was their failure now? Jesus answered that "this kind can only come out by prayer (v.29)." Seems to me that they may have become accustomed to having this power and forgot that the power was not of themselves but from God.

Death and Resurrection Foretold

Verses 30-31__Jesus returned to Galilee and did not want anyone to know about it. His public ministry was finished in Galilee and he was on His way to Jerusalem to finish His work. He was focusing on His teaching ministry and speaking to His disciples about His passion (v.31). This is the 2^nd prediction (see verses 9-10) and this prediction has a new element. Jesus tells his disciples that He will be betrayed (delivered up).

Verse 32___ The disciples still had no understanding. Mark does not cover this up. They did not want to ask Jesus what He meant but instead chose to occupy themselves by arguing "who is the greatest" among them (cf. 33-34).

5. Questions About Greatness (9:33-37).

Verses 33-34___Jesus returns to Capernaum (v.33) where his great Galilean ministry started (1:21) and where His headquarters in Galilee had been located. This time He did not linger there long since His public ministry in the region had come to an end. Now He instructs "in the house." The house is probably the one belonging to Andrew and Peter (1:29).

As noted above, the Catholic church clams to have found Peter's house.

The instructions to the disciples runs from v.33 to v.50. I gather that the disciples were ashamed and embarrassed about their discussion as to "who is the greatest" (v.34). They had not been contemplating Jesus' suffering and death but did have time to worry about themselves.

Verse 35___Jesus assumed the posture of a Jewish rabbi__he sat down (Matt. 5;1; 13:1; Lk. 5:3; Jn. 8:2). True greatness comes from service to others. The "spirit" of service is the passport to eminence in the kingdom of God. The kind of service Jesus was speaking of involved sacrifice. In the kingdom of God the only way to become the master is to become a servant.

Verses 36-37___To illustrate this principle Jesus took a child, perhaps one from a local family and stood him by his side (v.36). Then Jesus takes the child into His arms (cf. 10:16) while all were watching. The 12 are to become like little children in their discipleship and when they embrace this idea they will represent the Lord. A concern for little children was not invented by the modern welfare state but can be traced all the way back to Jesus.

6. Dire Warnings

Verse 38___John is speaking and uses the word "we." This is the only time Mark mentions John alone. The exorcist had been driving out demons in "Jesus' name" (by the authority of Jesus). What seems to irk the disciples is that this fellow as not one of them. The strange exorcist must have been a believer as we will see.

Verse 39-40___Jesus does not seem to have such a restrictive view as to who is allowed to "cast out demons" (v.39). The casting out of demons was done "by the Spirit of God" and that power was not limited to the twelve. Casting out demons by the authority of Jesus certainly demonstrated that the man was not "against Jesus." It is hard for a man to speak evil of someone who gave them such power" (v.39). Since this person is not against Me, he must be for Me (v.40). To give a cup of water to one of Jesus' followers, is the same as giving a cup of water to Jesus (v.41) and will be rewarded as so. Now we must look back for the context of v.42. They should not hinder the man who was performing exorcisms, nor the one who wants to give a cup of water. Anyone who does these things is better off being drowned (v.42).

7. Demanding Requirements of Discipleship (9:43-50).

Verses 43-50__ The main point of vss. 43-50 is that entering into eternal life is so important that sometimes we may need to do some radical things. Radical things may have to be done to remove the sin out of our lives (i.e the hand (v.43), the foot (v.45), the eye (v.47). Jesus is not demanding one cut his/her body up but demanding that we stop sinful activity. Sinful activity will send one to hell V.43. Verses 44 and 46 are not found in any early manuscripts and are much later additions.

Verse 49___This verse is a play off of v.47 where the fires of hell are mentioned. The context is that it is better to enter into life maimed than be consigned to Gehenna with all your limbs. In this context, fire and salt do the same thing. They both have a purifying effect. The point of this I think is that the disciples are going to be tested as with fire. In Leviticus 2:13 we read that each sacrifice had to be salted with salt. Likewise, every Christian who endures persecution (keeps their covenant with God) is a more pleasing offering to the Father.

Verse 50___The disciples are to have "salt in themselves." Probably a reference to the "Peace Offering," meaning have peace and fellowship among themselves.

Lane Rogers