Bible Commentaries

The Final Trip To Jerusalem Begins
- Mark Nine -

Mark nine gives insight into the time of the coming of the Lord's kingdom. Jesus said, "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." (Mark 9:1) This chapter also records the events associated with the transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah. These men represent Jewish Law and prophecy. Jesus was the fulfillment of what was written in the Law and in the prophets concerning the Messiah.

When Jesus came down from the mountain He was confronted with a boy that His disciples had been unable to help. Jesus said, "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." As Jesus continued on through Galilee He taught His disciples about his suffering, death and resurrection. (Mark 9:30-32) He also taught them that the meaning of true greatness was leaning to serve. (Mark 9:33-37)

Jesus discussed a point raised by John concerning one casting out demons that was not with the apostles. The person under consideration was not a false teacher; instead he was someone that was serving Christ faithfully. (Mark 9:38-40) He also gave a series of warnings against those so foolish as to give in to temptation and to lead others astray.

The mountain top experience -- Mark 9:1-13 : Mark wrote a prediction of the certain and soon coming of the Lord's kingdom. The kingdom was to come during the lifetime of some of those that heard Jesus speak. His kingdom is the blood purchased church of Christ. The kingdom would have its beginning as the gospel was preached following the resurrection of Jesus. Acts chapter two provides record of the keeping of this promise. The church or kingdom had its beginning with power on that Pentecost day.

Jesus was again proven to be the son of God as Peter, James and John saw Him transfigured with Moses and Elijah. During the transfiguration Jesus" garments became white and shinning. The apostles were overcome with fear and did not know what to say. Peter suggested building three tabernacles or tents, one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus. In addition to seeing Moses, the great Law giver and Elijah, the great prophet they heard the voice of God say of Jesus, "This is my beloved Son: hear him." 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." (Mark 9:9) The Lord had appointed a certain time as to when the gospel should be preached. As they came from the mountain Jesus gave a more complete explanation of His resurrection from the dead. He also spoke of the work of John the Baptist that had been called that "Elijah" that was to come.

What does belief look like? -- Mark 9:14-29 : Coming down from the mountain Jesus was confronted with confusion and sadness among his disciples and other. The disciples had been unable to help a demon possessed boy. Jesus asked a scribe, "What question ye with them?" The father of the boy described his situation to Jesus. "Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 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." (Mark 9:17-18)

When our children or others are hurting we should bring them to Jesus. As the boy was brought to Jesus the evil spirit again attacked him. He fell on the ground wallowing and foaming at the mouth. The father of the child asked Jesus that if He could help to have compassion and to help his son. The good news is that Jesus can help and He did help. Jesus knew that He could help but He wanted the man to believe that He could help. Jesus said to the father of the boy, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." The father expressed belief but asked Jesus to help him have even more faith. As the demon saw what was happening he tore the young man even more leaving him as if dead. The other disciples were not able to cast him out because of a lack of prayer and fasting.

Being the greatest in the kingdom -- Mark 9:30-35 : Jesus again taught His disciples that, "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." (Mark 9:31) They did not understand what He was talking about when He spoke of His death, burial and resurrection.

Jesus knew that the disciples had been talking among themselves as to who was greatest in the kingdom. He explained that humility is what exalts. He that is greatest is the person that serves the others most. Jesus used a little child to explain both the attitude and the service that must be rendered. Those that serve a little child are serving the Lord.

Discipleship requires uncommon trust -- Mark 9:36-50 : In Mark 9:38-40 we read, "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. 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. For he that is not against us is on our part." This is a passage that has been twisted and perverted. This passage is used to say that we should accept anyone that says they are acting in Jesus" name. It is also applied as a proof that gospel preachers should refrain from exposing false teachers and telling people they are in religious error or immorality. The man casting out demons was not a false teacher. If he had been Jesus would have called him a false prophets or a bad tree. (Matthew 7:15-20) Jesus said this man is "on our part." John did not say the man was a false teacher, only "he followeth not us." There were many others not in the company of the apostles that were faithful disciples! This unidentified man, based on every indication we have, was a faithful disciple of Christ, teaching only the truth of God.

God wants us to serve others and to be careful not to offend. He warns us to careful avoid any that would offend or pull us away from God or any attitude that would cause us to be cast into hell. Those that do not turn away from God will be salted and preserved by His grace and mercy. Those that deny themselves and become a living sacrifice for Jesus will be preserved from eternal destruction. But as salt if it loses its saltines is fit for nothing, so you, if you lose your faith and love, are fit for nothing but to be utterly destroyed.