Good morning,
This week we will study Mark 9.
The Book of Mark
Chapter 9
And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Mark 9:7)
The Transfiguration (1-13)
And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, appearing with Elijah and Moses in radiant glory. His clothes become dazzling white, and Elijah and Moses appear, talking with Jesus. A cloud overshadows them, and a voice from the cloud says, “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7). This event underscores Jesus’ divine nature and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, represented by Moses and Elijah.
While the specific name of the mountain is not mentioned in Mark 9, it is traditionally believed to be Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon. This is where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, revealing His divine glory.
As they descend the mountain, Jesus instructs the disciples to tell no one about the vision until after His resurrection. They question Him about the scribes’ teaching that Elijah must come first. Jesus explains that Elijah has indeed come, referring to John the Baptist, and that the Son of Man must suffer. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/mark/9.htm)
Healing of a Boy with an Unclean Spirit (14-29)
14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Upon returning to the other disciples, Jesus finds them in a dispute with the scribes. A man from the crowd explains that his son is possessed by a spirit that causes seizures. The disciples were unable to cast it out. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, and the boy is healed. Jesus later tells the disciples that this kind of spirit can only come out by prayer.
Jesus heals a boy with an unclean spirit, whose father expressed both faith and unbelief. The disciples’ inability to perform this healing highlights their lack of faith. The healing of the demon-possessed boy highlights the importance of faith. Jesus emphasizes that everything is possible for one who believes (Mark 9:23). (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/mark/9.htm)
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection (30-32)
30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
In Capernaum, Jesus again predicts His death and resurrection, but the disciples do not understand and are afraid to ask Him about it. Jesus foretells His death and resurrection, reminding us of His mission and the necessity of His sacrifice for our salvation. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/mark/9.htm)
Who is the Greatest? (33-37)
33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Jesus teaches about the nature of true greatness by welcoming a child in His arms. He explains that to be first, one must be the very last and the servant of all. Jesus teaches that true greatness comes from serving others, using a child as an example of humility and dependence. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/mark/9.htm)
Temptations to Sin (38-50)
38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.40 For he that is not against us is on our part.41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Jesus warns about causing others to sin, emphasizing the severity of sin and the need for radical action to avoid it. He uses hyperbolic language, such as cutting off a hand or foot if it causes one to sin, to illustrate the seriousness of avoiding sin. He encourages the disciples to be at peace with each other. He concludes with a teaching on being “salted with fire” and maintaining peace with one another.Jesus warns about causing others to sin and emphasizes the serious consequences of sin. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/mark/9.htm)
In Mark 9, we encounter Jesus in His divine glory during the Transfiguration, experience the struggle between faith and unbelief in the story of a possessed boy, and learn about the nature of true greatness in Jesus’ teaching about servanthood. This chapter balances the revelation of Jesus’ divine identity with His teaching on humility, presenting a profound understanding of Christ’s mission. (https://biblehub.com/chaptersummaries/mark/9.htm)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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