Mark 9:1-32
Q .1. To whom was Jesus talking? What prediction did He make? Why did Jesus only take three disciples? What did they witness? Who joined in the event? – (Mk.9:1-4 & 7)
According to Mark, Jesus had been talking to the crowds as well as His disciples (Mk.8:34 c.f. Mt.16:24; Lk.9:23). He concluded His teaching about the cost of following Him with the prediction that some of them would – not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power (Mk.9:1 c.f. Mt.16:28; Lk.9:27). Scholars debate what Jesus was referring to, because Matthew recorded that Jesus said that these few would see – the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Mt.16:28). Luke agrees with Mark in identifying these sayings with the transfiguration – Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on a mountain to pray (Lk.9:28 c.f. Mt.17:1; Mk.9:1). Peter, James, and John were the inner circle of disciples who were privy to several events not experienced by the rest of the Twelve. What the Three saw was totally unique, as Jesus – was transfigured before them (Mk.9:2). Two astounding things happened as His divine nature shone through – 3 His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus (Mk.9:3-4). Christ gave proof that He was indeed the Son of Man as in the vision of Daniel 7:13. Two of the great prophets of the Old Testament appeared and spoke with Him – of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (Lk.9:31). God almighty affirmed His Son from Heaven saying – This is My beloved Son, listen to Him (Mk.9:7). As is so often the case with prophecy, there is an initial fulfilment as well as an ultimate completion of a prophecy. The kingdom had surely arrived with power for those who receive His rule in their lives.
Q.2. What suggestion did Peter make? Why? What revelation were they given? What did Jesus tell them? What did they make of the explanations of Jesus? – (Mk.9:5-13)
Peter was completely over-awed. Without thinking he suggested that they make a tabernacle – one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah (Mk.9:5 c.f. Mk.9:6). However, the Father commanded the disciples to – Listen to Him (Mk.9:7). It was all to be about Jesus. It was recorded that – All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus alone (Mk.9:8). As they descended from the mountain Jesus – gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead (Mk.9:9). What He said confused them and they were – discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant (Mk.9:10). They could not conceive of a Messiah who would die, and therefore focused on the prophecy of Elijah’s coming (Mk.9:11 c.f. Mal.4:5). Jesus pointed them to the prophecies of His own suffering by asking – … how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? (Mk.9:12). He also confirmed that the prophecy regarding Elijah had been fulfilled in John the Baptizer (Mk.9:13 c.f. Mal.4:6; Lk.1:17).
Q.3. What confronted Jesus after His Transfiguration? How did He deal with the demon possessed boy? Why were His disciples powerless to help the lad? –(Mk.9:14-29)
After the lofty experience on the mountain, Jesus and the Three walked into a conflict involving His disciples and some scribes (Mk.9:14). A man emerged from the crowd reporting that His disciples had been unable to cast a demon out of his son (Mk.9:15). Jesus expressed His disappointment – O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? … (Mk.9:19). Jesus began the exorcism by asking the father about the demon possession (Mk.9:20-21). The father told him, and begged – if You can do anything, take pity on us, and help us (Mk.9:22). Jesus assured him – … All things are possible to him who believes (Mk.9:23). The father honestly expressed his fears and doubts and cried – I do believe; help my unbelief (Mk.9:24). Jesus cast out the demon. After the boy appeared dead – Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up (Mk.9:27). Later His disciples wanted to know – Why could we not drive it out? (Mk.9:28). Jesus told them – This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer (Mk.9:29). Because Jesus consistently communed with God, He was ready to face whatever challenge came His way.
Q.4. Why did Jesus want to be alone with His disciples? What did He tell them about Himself? Was this the first time He had talked this way? Did they understand? – (Mk.9:30-32)
It was obvious to Jesus that His own disciples knew Who He was, from His time at Caesarea Philippi and the Mount of Transfiguration. However, they were unprepared for His death. Jesus realized that He needed more uninterrupted time to correct their limited understanding (Mk.9:30). Away from the distractions of the crowds – He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later (Mk.10:31). However, their prejudiced views of Messiah confused them, and they were too embarrassed to ask what He meant by His predictions.