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Mark 9

And he said unto them, 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.

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

And 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.

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

And one of the multitude answered and said, 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.

He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, 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.

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

And 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.

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

What does Mark 9:11 mean?

Explanation

This verse comes from the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus's disciples ask why the scribes (Jewish law teachers of the time) say that Elijah must come first, before the advent of the Messianic age.

This question arises after Jesus, with Peter, James, and John, experiences the Transfiguration on the mountain where they see Jesus talking with Elijah and Moses.

The disciples are wrestling with the relationship between Jesus’s work and the expected coming of Elijah as a forerunner to the Messiah, according to prophetic tradition.

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Historical Context

The historical context of this verse is in first-century Judea under Roman occupation.

Jewish eschatological expectation was high, with many hoping for a Messiah who would deliver Israel from Roman rule.

The prophecy concerning Elijah's return comes from the book of Malachi (4:5-6), which predicted that Elijah would come before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord." Because of this prophecy, the Jewish people were expecting the literal or figurative return of Elijah as a precursor to the arrival of the Messiah.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse touches on Jewish messianic expectations and how Jesus fulfills these prophecies.

There are several viewpoints on Jesus’s response to the disciples’ question:

Traditional Christian theology asserts that John the Baptist fulfilled the role of Elijah as the precursor to the Messiah, as suggested by Jesus in the following verses of Mark.
Some scholars might see this as a non-literal fulfillment, where Elijah's "coming" is thematic or typological, rather than a physical reappearance.
Others may view this reference as indicative of an apocalyptic expectation which early followers of Jesus, and Jesus himself, possibly shared when considering the end times.

Practical Applications

From this verse, followers can reflect on the importance of understanding scriptural prophecies and their fulfillment.

It prompts believers to discern historical and spiritual truths.

Practically, it asks the modern disciple to look for the deeper meanings in events and people that might signify a spiritual truth or fulfillment of God's promises, and to be cautious about overly literal interpretations of prophecy.

Cross-References

Malachi 4:5-6 (KJV): "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD..."
Matthew 11:14 (KJV): "And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come."
Matthew 17:10-13 (KJV): The disciples' question about Elijah and Jesus' explanation that John the Baptist was Elijah who was to come.
Luke 1:17 (KJV): "And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias..."

Language Study

In the original Greek language, "Elias" refers to Elijah, the Old Testament prophet.

The Greek term "dei" (δεῖ), translated as "must," conveys a sense of divine necessity or ordained events. The scribes mention "Elias" within their interpretation of the prophetic books, which would have carried significant weight in their teachings and societal understanding.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the Jewish tradition, Elijah is a figure of immense importance, often believed to be present at significant events and during Passover, an empty seat is left for Elijah.

Comparatively, other cultures have figures who were prophesied to return, bringing enlightenment or judgment, such as the Persian figure Saoshyant or the Mesoamerican deity Quetzalcoatl.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, this verse does not intersect directly with empirical data or processes.

However, in a discussion about prophecy, science might explore the psychological elements of expectation, fulfillment, and pattern-seeking behavior in human cognition, as well as the cultural impact of anticipation rooted in religious beliefs.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentators offer insights into Mark 9:11:

John Calvin suggests that the scribes err in teaching that Elijah must physically appear, while the true fulfillment is in the appearance of John the Baptist.
The Pulpit Commentary notes that the scribe's expectation was not misguided but incomplete, not accounting for the spiritual embodiment of Elijah's role in John the Baptist.
Matthew Henry's commentary states that the disciples were confused because they saw Elijah at the Transfiguration but did not observe any changes to their current state, thus questioning the need for Elijah's coming before the Messiah.

Henry underscores that John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Jesus.

Mark 9

Mark 9

What does Mark 9:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Mark 9:11 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Mark Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?