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Mark 9

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1He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.” 2After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. 3His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. 5Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid. 7A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only. 9As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant. 11They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised? 13But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him.” 14Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them. 15Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him. 16He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?” 17One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit; 18and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.” 19He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth. 21He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has come to him?” He said, “From childhood. 22Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” 23Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” 25When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” 26After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. 28When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” 29He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting.” 30They went out from there, and passed through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know it. 31For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.” 32But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. 33He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?” 34But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest. 35He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” 36He took a little child, and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.” 38John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” 39But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40For whoever is not against us is on our side. 41For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward. 42Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck. 43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, 44‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 45If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched— 46‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 47If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, 48‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 49For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

World English Bible (public domain)

"And a voice came out of the cloud, 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.'"

Mark 9:7

Summary

Mark 9 begins with the Transfiguration, where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, He is transfigured, displaying His divine glory, and is joined by Elijah and Moses. A voice from heaven commands the disciples to listen to Jesus, underscoring His authority and fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. As they descend, Jesus instructs them to keep this vision secret until after the Resurrection. Upon returning, they find the other disciples unable to cast out a demon from a boy. Jesus laments their lack of faith, exorcises the demon, and stresses the necessity of prayer for such acts. The chapter continues with Jesus foretelling His death and resurrection, although the disciples do not comprehend His message. Afterward, the disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. Jesus challenges their understanding of greatness, emphasizing servanthood and humility by placing a child among them as an example. Weeks later, Jesus warns against causing others to stumble and speaks of the seriousness of sin and the call to radical discipleship. Through these episodes, the chapter explores themes of revelation, faith, humility, and discipleship.

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Chapter outline

How Mark 9 unfolds

  1. Mark 9:1–8 The Transfiguration of Jesus

    Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where He is transfigured, revealing His divine glory alongside Moses and Elijah. A voice declares Jesus as God's beloved Son, emphasizing His authority.

  2. Mark 9:9–13 Discussion of Elijah's Role

    As they descend, Jesus instructs the disciples to keep the transfiguration a secret until after His resurrection, leading to a discussion about Elijah's coming.

  3. Mark 9:14–29 Healing of the Boy with an Unclean Spirit

    Jesus encounters a crowd and learns that His disciples failed to cast out a demon from a boy. He rebukes the spirit and emphasizes the need for prayer.

  4. Mark 9:30–32 Foretelling His Death and Resurrection

    While traveling through Galilee, Jesus predicts His betrayal and death, but the disciples do not understand His message.

  5. Mark 9:33–37 Teaching about Greatness

    In Capernaum, Jesus questions the disciples about their argument regarding greatness and teaches them that true greatness is found in servanthood, using a child as an example.

  6. Mark 9:38–41 Exorcism by Others

    John shares that they stopped someone from casting out demons in Jesus' name, but Jesus emphasizes inclusion, stating that those not against them are for them.

  7. Mark 9:42–50 Warnings Against Causing Stumbling

    Jesus warns about causing believers to stumble and speaks vividly about the consequences of sin, urging drastic measures to avoid it. He concludes with a call to be at peace.

Key verses

  • Mark 9:7The voice from the cloud in verse 7 encapsulates the chapter's focus on Jesus' identity and authority, highlighting the need to heed His words.

Main themes in Mark 9

Revelation

The theme of revelation is prominently displayed in the transfiguration account in verses 2-7, where Jesus' divine nature is unveiled before His closest disciples. This event not only shows His glory but also affirms His identity as the Son of God, providing a profound insight into His authority. The chapter's movement is shaped by this revelation, which underscores Jesus' fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, bridging the Old and New Testament narratives.

Faith

Faith takes center stage in the healing narrative of verses 17-24, where a father grapples with belief that is interwoven with doubt regarding his son's condition. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of genuine belief for the manifestation of miracles, showcasing the multifaceted nature of faith. This theme invites readers to reflect on their own faith journeys, particularly during challenging times when doubts may arise and the need for trust in Jesus is paramount.

Explore faith in the Bible →

Humility

Humility is illustrated in verses 33-37 when Jesus addresses the disciples' argument over who among them is the greatest, using a child to demonstrate true greatness. By placing a child in their midst, Jesus highlights that in the Kingdom of God, greatness is not about status but rather about serving others selflessly. This teaching encourages readers to reassess their values and attitudes, prompting a deeper understanding of what it means to live humbly in accordance with Jesus' example.

Discipleship

The theme of discipleship is vividly portrayed in verses 42-50 through Jesus' stern warnings about causing others to stumble. He calls His followers to a radical commitment to their faith, urging them to examine their lives critically in relation to sin and its consequences. This theme emphasizes the seriousness of living out one's faith within a community, highlighting the profound responsibilities disciples have toward each other and the impact their actions can have on others' spiritual journeys.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Mark 9

Study questions

Questions for studying Mark 9

  1. What does the voice from the cloud declare about Jesus in verse 7?
  2. How does Jesus respond to the father's plea in verse 23?
  3. What lesson does Jesus teach about greatness in verses 35-37?
  4. Why were the disciples unable to cast out the demon in verse 28?
  5. What does Jesus mean by 'salt' in verse 50?
  6. How do Moses and Elijah's presence relate to Jesus' mission?
  7. What significance does the transfiguration have for the disciples?

Mark 9: frequently asked questions

What is Mark 9 about?+
Mark 9 begins with the Transfiguration, where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, He is transfigured, displaying His divine glory, and is joined by Elijah and Moses. A voice from heaven commands the disciples to listen to Jesus, underscoring His authority and fulfillment of the Law and Prophets. As they descend, Jesus instructs them to keep this vision secret until after the Resurrection. Upon returning, they find the other disciples unable to cast out a demon from a boy. Jesus laments their lack of faith, exorcises the demon, and stresses the necessity of prayer for such acts. The chapter continues with Jesus foretelling His death and resurrection, although the disciples do not comprehend His message. Afterward, the disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. Jesus challenges their understanding of greatness, emphasizing servanthood and humility by placing a child among them as an example. Weeks later, Jesus warns against causing others to stumble and speaks of the seriousness of sin and the call to radical discipleship. Through these episodes, the chapter explores themes of revelation, faith, humility, and discipleship.
What is the key verse in Mark 9?+
Mark 9:7: "A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”"
What are the main themes of Mark 9?+
The main themes of Mark 9 are Revelation, Faith, Humility, Discipleship.

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