Bible Commentaries
Mark 9

Verse 1

said = continued to say.

Verily I say unto you . See the four similar asseverations, Matthew 10:23 ; Matthew 16:28 , Matthew 23:36 , Matthew 24:34

Verily = Amen. See note on Matthew 5:18 not the some word as in Mark 9:1 Mark 9:2 .

not = in no wise, or by no means. Greek. ou me. App-105 . This solemn asseveration was not needed for being kept alive six days longer. It looked forward to the end of that age.

till . Greek. eos an. The Particle "an" makes the clause conditional: this condition being the repentance of the nation at the call of Peter, Acts 3:19-26 and Compare Mar 28:25 , Mar 28:26 .

have seen = may have seen. Greek. eidon. App-133 .

the kingdom of God . See App-114 .

come = actually come.

with = in. Greek. en. App-104 . Not the same word as in verses: Mark 9:9 , Mark 9:4 , Mark 9:8 , Mark 9:10 , Mark 9:16 , Mark 9:19 , Mark 9:24 .

Verse 2

after . Greek. meta. App-104 . Exclusive reckoning. Compare Luke 9:2 (inclusive).

Jesus . See App-98 .

into . Greek. cis. App-104 .

transfigured = transformed. Greek. metmeoiphoa. To change the form or appearance. Occurs only here, Matthew 17:2 ; Romans 12:2 ; and 2 Corinthians 3:18 . Contrast metaschematizo , to transfigure, change the figure, shape, mien, &c. (1 Corinthians 4:6 . 2Co 11:13 , 2 Corinthians 11:14 , 2 Corinthians 11:16 . Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:21 ). See App-149 .

Verse 3

shining = gleaming. Greek. stilbo . Occurs only here.

snow. The whiteness of nature.

so as no fuller, &c. A Divine supplement, here.

no. Greek. on . App-105 .

on . Greek. epi . App-104 .

earth . Greek. ge App-129 .

can white them = is able to whiten them. The whiteness of art.

Verse 4

Elias = Elijah. Compare Malachi 4:4 , Malachi 4:5 ,

with = together with. Greek. sun. App-104 . Not the some word as in verses: Mark 9:8 , Mark 9:10 , Mark 9:19 , Mark 8:24 , Mar 8:50 .

Moses . See note on Mark 1:44 .

Verse 5

answered and said. See note on Deuteronomy 1:41 .

Master = Rabbi. App-98 . Not the same word as in Mark 9:17 .

Verse 6

wist = knew. Greek. oida. App-132 .

not . Greek. ou . App-105 . Same word as in verses: Mark 9:18 , Mark 9:28 , Mark 9:30 , Mar 18:37 , Mar 18:39 , Mar 18:40 , Mar 18:44 , Mar 18:46 , Mar 18:48 . Not the same as in Mark 1:39 , Mark 1:41 .

Verse 7

them : i.e. Moses and Elijah.

out of = out from. Greek. ek, App-104 .

My beloved Son = My Son, the beloved.

hear = hear ye. Compare Deuteronomy 18:19 .

Verse 8

suddenly . Greek. exapina. Occurs only here in N.T.

with = in company with. Greek. meta. App-104 .

Verse 9

came = were coming.

from = away from. Greek apo. App-104 .

tell = relate to.

no man = no one.

the Son of man See App-98 .

were = should have.

from = out from. Greek. ek. App-104 .

the dead . No Art. See App-139 .

Verse 10

kept = laid hold of and kept.

with = to. Greek. pros. App-104 .

should mean = is: i.e. "What is the rising from among [other] dead [people]? "

Verse 11

Why say the scribes. ? = Tho scribes say, &c.

first. See Malachi 4:5 , Malachi 4:6 .

Verse 12

verily = indeed. Greek. men. Not the same as in Mark 9:1 .

it is written = it standeth written.

of = upon. Greek. epi. App-104 . Not the same as in Mark 9:17 .

must suffer . See note on Mark 8:31 .

Verse 13

is . . . come = has. . . come.

have done = did.

listed = desired, or liked. Greek. thelo. App-102 .

Verse 14

to . Gr pros. App-104 .

multitude = crowd.

about = around. Greek. peri. App-104 .

the scribes . This particularizing the scribes as questioners is a Divine supplement, here.

Verse 15

And, &c.: Mark 9:15 and Mark 9:16 are also a Divine supplement, here.

straightway . See notes on Mark 1:10 , Mark 1:12

people = crowd. Same word as in Mark 9:14 .

beheld = saw, as in Mark 9:14 .

were greatly amazed. Greek. ekthambeomai = to be greatly astonished. Occurs only here; and Mark 14:33 ; Mark 16:5 , Mark 16:6 .

Verse 17

of from among. Greek. ek . App-104 .

Master = = Teacher. App-98 . Mark 9:1 . Not the same word as in Mark 9:5 .

unto . Greek. pros. App-104 .

spirit . Greek pneuma. App-101 .

Verse 18

he taketh = it seizeth hold of.

he teareth him = it dasheth him down.

and . Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton, App-6 , emphasizing each detail.

foameth = foameth [at the mouth].

gnasheth = grindeth. This and "pineth away" are a Divine supplement, here.

could not = had not [the] power to.

Verse 19

faithless = without faith; not treacherous, but unbelieving.

generation. See note on Matthew 11:16 .

suffer = bear with.

Verse 20

when he saw Him. A Divine supplement, here.

tare = convulsed.

wallowed foaming. These details are Divine supplements, here,

wallowed = began to roll about.

Verse 21

And He asked, &c. verses: Mark 9:21-27 are a Divine supplement, here.

Of a child = From childhood

Verse 22

to = in order to; or, that it might.

if Thou canst . No doubt is implied. See App-118 .

compassion. Relying on this rather than on the Lord's power.

on . Greek. epi. App-104 .

us . Note the tender sympathy of the father.

Verse 23

If thou canst . Note how the Lord gives back the fathers question, with the same condition implied.

believe . Omitted by T Tr. [A] WH R; not by the Syriac all things. Figure of speech Synecdoche ( App-6 ). All things included in the promise.

Verse 24

the child . Greek. paidion. App-108 .

cried out. Inarticulate.

and said = began to say. Articulate.

Lord . App-98 . B. a.

Verse 25

foul = unclean.

charge = command.

Verse 26

cried = cried out.

rent him = threw him into convulsions.

as one = as though.

said, He is = said that he was.

Verse 28

the = a.

him = it.

Verse 29

This kind . Showing that there are different kinds of spirits.

by. Greek. en. App-104 .

and fasting. Omitted by LT [Tr. ] A WH R; not by the Syriac.

Verse 30

passed through = were passing along through.

through , i.e. not through the cities, but passed along through Galilee past them. Greek. dia App-104 , Mark 9:1 .

would = wished. App-102 .

Verse 31

He taught = He began teaching [Imperf.) The continuation of Mark 8:31

said unto them = said unto them that.

The Son of man. See App-98 . This was the second announcement. See the Structure, "T", p. 1402.

is = will be, or, is to be. Figure of speech Heterosis (of Tense), App-6 .

Verse 32

saying. Greek. rhema (the first time it is thus rendered). Rhema denotes a word, saying, or sentence in its outward form, as made up of words (i.e. Parts of Speech): whereas logos denotes a word or saying as the expression of thought: hence, the thing spoken or written, the account, &c. given.

Verse 33

And He came, &c. 33-35. A Divine supplement, here.

to = into. Greek. eis. App-104 .

in. Greek. en . App-104 . Same as in verses: Mark 9:36-41 , Mark 9:50 ; not the same as in verses: Mark 9:37 , Mark 9:39 , Mark 9:42 .

disputed = were discussing.

among. Greek. pros. App-104 .

Verse 34

had disputed = had been discussing.

greatest = greater.

Verse 35

sat down = took His seat (as Teacher).

called. Denoting solemnity in so doing.

If any man, &c. The condition is assumed as a fact. App-118 .

desire. Greek. thelo App-102 .

shall be = will be.

servant. Greek diakonos, a voluntary servant. Compare Eng. "deacon".

Verse 36

when He had taken him in His arms . This is all one verb (enankalisamenos), and Occurs only here.

Verse 37

in. Greek. epi. App-104 .

Verse 38

John answered. His conscience was touched; for he remembered what he had done, and confessed it.

devils = demons.

Verse 39

not. Greek me. App-105 .

Verse 40

against. Greek. kata . App-104 .

on our part = for ( huper = on our behalf. App-104 .) us.

Verse 41

ye belong to Christ = ye are Christ's.

Christ . App-98 .

Verse 42

shall offend = shall have caused to stumble.

believe in . See App-150 .

better = good.

that = if. A simple hypothesis. App-118 .:2.

a millstone = a great millstone (turned by an ass). Compare Matthew 18:6 ; Luke 17:2 . A Greek and Roman punishment: not Jewish.

Verse 43

if. A contingent hypothesis. App-118 .

offend = (constantly) cause thee to stumble. Not the same word as in Mark 9:42

life. Greek. zoe ( App-170 .) With Art.: i.e. into resurrec tion life, or life eternal. See note on Matthew 9:18 .

hell. Greek. Geenna. See App-131 .

the fire that never shall be quenched = the fire, the unquenchable. Greek. to pur to asbeston. Compare Matthew 3:12 .

Verse 44

worm. See Iea. Mar 66:24 , and compare Exodus 16:20 . Job 7:5 ; Job 17:44 ; Job 19:26 ; Job 21:26 ; Job 24:20 . Isaiah 14:11 . This verse and Mark 9:46 are omitted by T (Tr. ] WH R, not the Syriac.

Verse 45

halt = lame.

Verse 47

the kingdom of God . See App-114 .

hell fire the Geenna of fire. See note on Mark 9:43 .

Verse 48

Where, &c. This is included in all the texts; and is quoted from Isaiah 66:24 .

Verse 49

every one shall be salted with fire . Occurs only here in N.T.

every sacrifice , &c. Some texts omit this clause, but not the Syriac Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 2:13 ). This is intro duced by "For", as a reason why the lesser (finite and temporal) evil is "good" compared with the greater (and final) evil. Every sacrifice is salted (to assist the burning), Deuteronomy 29:23 . It is better therefore to endurethe removal of the stumbling-block now, than to be altogether destroyed for ever.

Verse 50

but if , &c. Figure of speech Paraoemia ( App-6 ).

lost his saltness = become saltless.

wherewith = with (Greek. en. App-104 .) what. Compare Matthew 5:13 ; Luke 14:34 .

season it? = restore it?

in = within. (Greek. en ( App-104 .)

one with another = among (Greek. en. App-104 .) yourselves. This refers the whole of vs. 43-50 back to verses: Mark 9:34 , Mark 9:35 ; and shows that the stumbling-blocks mentioned in us. 43-47 are the things that destroy peace among brethren.