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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

CHAPTER NINE:
TRANSFIGURATION, FAITH, GREATNESS,
AND STUMBLING

[“Glory and Greatness”]
Key word: Humility

Mark 9:1-8 – The Transfiguration

|| Matthew 17:1-8; 186 Luke 9:28-36

186	Matthew 17:1-8: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:1 Now Jesus said to them: “I tell you this truth: Some of you standing here will not experience death 187 until you have seen God’s Kingdom already ruling.” 188

187	Some of you standing here will not experience death: That is, will still be alive when.

188

Until you have seen God’s Kingdom already ruling: These disciples would still be living when Christ begins his rule in fulfillment to Psalm 2:6, Psalm 110:1, and Daniel 7:13. Christ begins his rule upon his ascension to heaven in the year 33 AD. [1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:19-22] Compare notes on Matthew 16:28 and Acts 13:33.

MK9:2 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John 189 with him and lead them up into a lofty mountain where they were alone. Then he was transfigured 190 before them,

189	Peter, James and John: It is the taking of these three that may later bring up the issue of “who is the greatest.” See notes below.

190	Transfigured: Or, changed. The Greek is METAMORPHOTHE.

MK9:3 and his garments became dazzling white like snow, whiter than any human clothes cleaner could ever make them. MK9:4 Then they saw Elijah appear with Moses 191 and they were talking with Jesus.

191	Elijah appear with Moses: Many see these two as representing the Prophets and the Law respectively and their fulfillment in Christ. Others carry it further. See notes on Revelation 11:4-6.

MK9:5 Now Peter responded and asked Jesus: “Rabbi, it is outstanding we are all here together! Let us put up three tents – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!” MK9:6 For Peter had no idea what to say for they were all so frightened. MK9:7 Then a cloud came and overshadowed them. And a Voice came from the cloud, saying: “This is my beloved Son! 192 Listen to him!” 193

192	Son: That is, the created and begotten son of Proverbs 8:22-30. Elijah and Moses are not living beings here, for in Matthew it is called a “vision.”

193	Listen to him: Or, hear, obey. This is the real purpose behind the whole transfiguration vision – to confirm to these three apostles the Sonship of Christ and God’s approval of him. The language echoes Psalm 2:6.

MK9:8 And then suddenly when they looked around they saw no one but Jesus alone with them.

Mark 9:9-13 – Elijah Has Come

|| Matthew 17:14-21; 194 Luke 9:34-42

194	Matthew 17:14-21: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:9 Now as the descended the mountain Jesus ordered the disciples never to tell anyone 195 what they had seen until the Son of Humankind [Daniel 7:13] was raised up from the dead.

195	Never to tell anyone: Something like Paul’s own experience. [2 Corinthians 12:4] Peter writes of the experience at 2 Peter 1:16-19.

MK9:10 So they kept this to themselves, 196 discussing with one another what this ‘rising up again from the dead’ 197 meant.

196	So they kept this to themselves: This silence on where they went with the Nazarene could have caused the following argument of who was the greatest.

197	Rising up again from the dead: The subject of the resurrection of Messiah in the Hebrew Bible is obscure and it is only until after Pentecost that Psalm 16:10 is used as the main proof of such. It is likely Isaiah 53:10, 12 also could be used.

MK9:11 Then they asked Jesus: “Why do the Bible Copyists say that Elijah must come first?” MK9:12 Now Jesus answered them: 198 “For a certainty Elijah must come first [Malachi 4:1] and will restore everything. [Malachi 4:5, 6] How is it written regarding the Son of Humankind [Daniel 7:13] suffering many things [Psalm 22:6; Isaiah 53:3] and then being rejected? [Isaiah 53:3; Psalm 118:22]

198	Jesus answered them: In his answer, Jesus alludes to several verses from the Hebrew Bible, though these probably escaped the disciples at the time, as it would most Christians today.

MK9:13 But, I tell you: Elijah has already come! 199 And they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it was written.”

199	Elijah has already come: Jesus’ own inspired interpretation of Malachi applies it to John the Baptist.

Mark 9:14-24 – Help Me Where I Need Faith

|| Matthew 17:14-21; 200 Luke 9:34-42

200	Matthew 17:14-21: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:14 Now when they approached the [other] disciples 201 they saw a large crowd around them, and the Bible Copyists were asking them questions.

201	The [other] disciples: That is, those not including Peter, John and James. The other eight apostles have been involved in another matter.

MK9:15 Suddenly when the whole crowd saw Jesus they ran forward to welcome him. MK9:16 Then Jesus asked the Bible Copyists: “What is your argument with them?” MK9:17 So one in the crowd said: “Lord, I brought to you my son who has a speechless demon. MK9:18 Whenever the demon seizes him he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and then becomes rigid. Now I asked your disciples to exorcise the demon and but could not do it.” MK9:19 Jesus answered him: “O faithless generation, 202 how much longer must I remain with you? How much longer must I tolerate you? Bring the boy here!”

202	O faithless generation: Jesus includes the eight apostles.

MK9:20 Now as soon as they brought him to Jesus, when he saw Jesus, instantly the demon threw the boy into convulsions, and foaming at the mouth he kept rolling on the ground. MK9:21 Jesus asked the father: “How long has he been doing this?” The father answered: “Since he was a child. MK9:22 Often the demon throws him into a fire, or into water to drown him. 203 But, if you can do anything, have pity on us and help.”

203	Into water to drown him: Demons become trapped within the material form they inhabit and the only thing left is to drive the person to suicide.

MK9:23 Jesus told him: “That ‘if you are able’ – everything is possible to the person who believes!” MK9:24 Instantly, the father of the young boy said: “I believe! Help me with my unbelief!” 204

204	Help me with my unbelief: Many have prayed the same since.

Mark 9:25-29 – Why Could We Not Expel It?

|| Matthew 17:14-21 205

205	Matthew 17:14-21: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:25 As Jesus saw the crowd running to gather around, he rebuke the unclean demon, saying: “I command you, come out of him! Do not enter him any more!” MK9:26 And the demon screamed and convulsed the boy greatly and he became like a dead person. In fact, many said: “He is dead!” MK9:27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up so that he stood up. MK9:28 Now later when they entered the house, his disciples asked him in private: “Why could we not exorcise [the demon]?” 206

206	Why could we not exorcise [the demon]: If we realize that three of the apostles were taken to an experience they could not relate, and now they return to the other eight who have failed in their attempt to exorcise the demon.

MK9:29 Jesus answered them: “This kind [of demon] will only come out through prayer.” 207

207	Only come out through prayer: Since Jesus himself does not pray regarding the matter, he must mean the prayers of those disciples.

Mark 9:30-32 – Foretells Resurrection

|| Matthew 17:22, 23; 208 Luke 9:44, 45

208	Matthew 17:22, 23: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:30 Now they left there and traveled through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know of the matter. MK9:31 For he was teaching his disciples, saying to them: “The Son of Humankind [Daniel 7:13] will be delivered up to the hands of men and they will kill him. But after he has been killed, he will rise on the third day.” MK9:32 However, the disciples did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him. 209

209

Were afraid to ask him: Some have painted a picture of Christ that is passive and effeminate. Mark’s Gospel has shown him to be a strong and straightforward person with no timidity about speaking his mind. Here it is clear the apostles are intimidated and fearful. They have recently witnessed a severe public rebuke of Peter by the Nazarene, and they are very hesitant to even ask for more details about his foretold suffering and death.

Mark 9:33-37 – Who is Greater?

|| Matthew 18:1-5; 210 Luke 9:44, 45

210	Matthew 18:1-5: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:33 Now Jesus arrived in Capernaum and when he was in the house he asked them: “What were you arguing about among yourselves on the road?” MK9:34 However, they were silent, for on the road they had been disputing who among them was the greatest. 211

211

Who among them was the greatest: Jesus already is aware of what is an ongoing problem among his apostles. It is known from John’s Gospel that Jesus preferred John. There are also other occasions where three or four apostles receive special blessings, as in the case of the transfiguration and the Mount Olive sermon. [Mark 13] The three apostles returning from the mount of Transfiguration to the other eight who had just failed in a healing effort may have laid the ground work for this debate. It is an unfortunate side to human nature that members of a group will try and curry favor with the obvious leader, and will struggle among themselves in jealous ambitions.

MK9:35 Then Jesus sat down and called the Twelve, and said to them: “If anyone has a desire to be ‘first’ then he must be the ‘least’ of all, and the servant of everyone.” 212

212

The ‘least’ of all, and the servant of everyone: This goes directly against human ego-centricity where exactly the opposite is what most people seek. Jesus recommends remaining in the background as a quite servant who ministers to everyone else. This will be viewed as weakness by others and such a least servant will go largely unnoticed. But, not to the Master.

MK9:36 Jesus took a little boy 213 and put him in the middle of them, and after he took him in his arms, he said to them:

213	Little boy: We can imagine the look on this young lad’s face as he is surrounded by so many eyes. We can see that once Jesus puts his arms around him he feels very important and the center of attention. Clearly, the family in the house where Jesus was staying had some young children in it.

MK9:37 “Whoever welcomes such a little boy in my name, welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me, welcomes not only me, but also Him that sent me.”

Mark 9:38-42 – Those Not Against Us Are For Us

|| Luke 9:49, 50

MK9:38 Now, [the apostle] John said to Jesus: “Lord, we saw a man 214 exorcising demons in your name, and we forbid him because he does not follow us.”

214

We saw a man: Likely an itinerant Jewish exorcist who had begun using the name of Jesus. However, the man was not known to be an actual disciple of Jesus, or at least not manifesting himself as a member of the Nazarene’s personal followers. When the apostles see this man using the name of Jesus they want the person to join their following and so try to prevent him from using Christ’s name.

MK9:39 But, Jesus said: “Do not forbid him! 215 For there is no person who will do a miracle in my name that will easily speak evil of me. 216

215	Do not forbid him: Or, prevent, do not stop, do not try to stop.

216

A miracle in my name that will easily speak evil of me: It is human nature to want to think that one belongs to an inclusive club or group which is superior to all others. Those not part of this select group are viewed judgmentally. Jesus cautions his apostles – already struggling with attitudes of superiority – not to judge or interfere with others who do their own work in the name of Jesus. It will be left to Christ to judge whether others were actually “workers of lawlessness.” [Matthew 7:21-23] Compare something similar in Numbers 11:28. It should be kept in mind that it is most likely this person observed by the apostles was a Jew and already a member of the nation of Israel, God’s own People. It would not be until Pentecost that God’s Spirit would be removed from the fleshly Jews and placed upon the Church of Christ.

MK9:40 Because the person who is not against us is for us. MK9:41 Whoever will give you even a cup of water to drink in my name – and because you are Christ’s – I tell you this truth: such a person will not lose the reward. 217

217

Such a person will not lose the reward: Jesus is not saying that a person who only gives one of the apostles a drink of water will receive that reward saved for the Saints. Such a person with a kindly attitude does open up the opportunity to one day listen to such apostles and becoming a member of the congregation that Christ forms. On the matter of judgment research the word in Matthew and Romans. [See notes on Matthew 12:25-37.]

MK9:42 On the other hand, whoever stumbles one of these ‘little ones’ that believe in me, 218 it would be better for them to have a millstone hung around the neck and then be thrown into the sea! 219

218	Stumbles one of these ‘little ones’ that believe in me: Or, offends, fall. The Greek is SCANDALISE. Jesus means those of his disciples who have become as ‘little children’ in their disposition and actions. Jesus will go on to discuss in more detail what he means by “stumbles.”

219	Millstone hung around the neck and then be thrown into the sea: That is, killed by others. Jesus will go on to mention an outcome much more severe – Gehenna.

Mark 9:43-48 – The Offending Hand, Foot, or Eye

|| Matthew 18:6-9; 220 Luke 17:1, 2

220	Matthew 18:6-9: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:43 “So if your hand causes you to stumble, 221 cut it off! 222 It is better for you to enter into the Life maimed, 223 than having two hands to go off into Gehenna, 224 into that inextinguishable fire. 225 [[

221

Hand causes you to stumble: It is the hand that reaches out to touch something it should not, or grasps something it should not. Compare the warning of “touch” in Genesis 3:1-5. The context is about stumbling others, and thus in the process, stumbling oneself. What is it a Christian could do with their hands that could lead to stumbling other ‘little ones’?

222	Cut it off: Jesus’ analogy is an absurdum not to be taken literally. If what Jesus goes on to say is taken literally then we would expect to see many Christians walking about with one hand, one eye, or one foot.

223	Enter into the Life maimed: Still part of the absurd hyperbole.

224

Gehenna: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew where Gehenna is explained. Simply Gehenna was the city dump of Jerusalem where the dead bodies of criminals thought unworthy of either burial or resurrection were thrown. Fire and smoke occurred their continually and maggots devoured garbage constantly.

225	Inextinguishable fire: Gehenna’s fire became a symbol of Second Death, or everlasting extinction. Se notes on Revelation 20:13, 14. For more details on hell-fire, Hades, or Gehenna see the book Where Are the Dead?

MK9:44]] 226

226	Bracketed words are recognized as not adequately supported.

MK9:45 Also, if your foot 227 makes you stumble, cut it off! It is better to enter crippled into the Life, than having two feet to be cast into Gehenna, [[into that inextinguishable fire]]. 228 [[

227	Foot: The foot takes one to the place or thing one wants to go. The analogy is used often in the Psalms and Proverbs of conduct leading to harm or evil.

228	Bracketed words are recognized as not adequately supported.

MK9:46]] 229

229	Bracketed words are recognized as not adequately supported.

MK9:47 Also, if your eye 230 stumbles you, pluck it out! It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of the God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into Gehenna –

230	Eye: It is the eye that covets or desires what it regularly sees. Compare notes on James 1:14, 15.

MK9:48 where their maggots never ends and the fire is never extinguished. 231

231	Where their maggots never ends and the fire is never extinguished: Jesus borrows the language of Isaiah 66:24. Similar language is used of the destruction of Edom. [Isaiah 34:9, 10]

Mark 9:49-50 – Have Salt and Keep Peace

|| Matthew 5:13; 232 Luke 14:34

232	Matthew 5:13: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

MK9:49 “For everyone will be salted with fire. 233

233

‘Everyone will be salted with fire’: The phrase is connected to the previous warning about stumbling. It is likely Jesus alludes to Leviticus 2:13: “‘And every offering of your grain offering you will season with salt; and you must not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be missing upon your grain offering. Along with every offering of yours you will present salt.” [NWT] [Ezra 6:9] Any sacrifice a disciple makes must be season with salt otherwise it is not acceptable to God. A “sacrifice of praise” or charity must also be delivered in such a way that it is tasteful to the hearer. [Colossians 4:6; Hebrews 13:15-17; James 3:12] Salt may also have something to do with judgment. [Judges 9:45; Ezekiel 43:24] Though the phrase is considered unsupported by older manuscripts some versions contain, “and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.”]

MK9:50 Salt is excellent! 234 But if the salt ever lose its saltiness 235 what will it ever season? Continue to have ‘salt’ in yourselves and continue to be peaceable among one another.” 236

234	Salt is excellent: Or, fine, good, good thing. Salt was very valuable and necessary in such hot climates. It was even used as an exchange for labor or things.

235	If the salt ever lose its saltiness: That is its tastefulness or preservative qualities.

236

Continue to be peaceable among one another: The salt is associated with peaceful relations with others. The apostles have been arguing about superiority and this did not lead to peaceful relations. This matter of “salt” may go all the way back to that Jewish exorcist who was expelling demons in the name of Jesus. Who knows what the apostles said to him when they forbid him to continue what he was doing. It is not like these self-righteous, self-important individuals said things they should not.

Review Questions on Chapter Nine