Following the exalted Lord

Mark 9:1–13

2. Following the exalted Lord

Six days after Jesus predicted his death and spoke of the necessity of cross-bearing and self-denial for discipleship, he takes three of his followers up a mountain where he is transfigured before them (2). The three disciples in question, Peter, James and John, were Jesus’ ‘inner circle’ within the Twelve.1 Through Mark’s Gospel we are privileged to join them on the mountain. The transfiguration fulfils, at least in part, Jesus’ statement in verse 1, when he declares that some who have heard his ‘hard sayings’ about the cross will not die before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.2 Jesus has already announced that the kingdom of God is ‘at hand’,3 and has travelled extensively proclaiming the good news and calling on people to follow him. On the mountain he is revealed as the king who has come to inaugurate his reign and rule. Previously, his royal glory had been veiled from the disciples; now the veil is pulled back for a while and the transcendent splendour of Christ the Lord is revealed.

Matthew and Luke also include the transfiguration, but Mark’s version particularly highlights the presence and participation of the disciples.4 Consequently, reflection on his account is especially appropriate for us as we continue to consider the foundations of discipleship.5 Unsurprisingly, Peter never forgot his experience on the mountain, which continued to shape his life as a disciple long after his Lord had ascended into heaven.6 Modern-day disciples can be similarly inspired and shaped by these verses. All who are called to walk the way of the cross with Jesus need a clear view of his glory and the glory of discipleship to strengthen them for the challenging road which is ahead. Wonderfully, this is exactly what we are given.

1 J. R. Edwards, The Gospel According to Mark, PNTC (Nottingham: IVP, 2002), p. 262. Cf. Mark 5:37; 13:3; 14:33.

2 Note the way the phrase after six days explicitly ties 9:1 and 9:2 together. However, more than the transfiguration is probably in view in 9:1. The coming kingdom will soon be gloriously apparent through Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation, as well as the pouring out of the Spirit at Pentecost and the subsequent spread of the church. All these events happened before the first disciples died, so fulfilling Jesus’ words. Consequently, there is no warrant for reading 9:1 as a failed prediction of Jesus’ second coming, as some commentators do. For a full discussion, see R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2002), pp. 342–346.

3 1:15, esv; cf. Matt. 3:2; 4:17.

4 Cf. Matt. 17:1–12; Luke 9:28–36. J. B. Green, ‘Transfiguration’, in DJG, 2nd edn, p. 969: ‘The transfiguration account [in Mark] is told from the disciples’ perspective.’

5 Cf., e.g., Mark 9:8 with Luke 9:36 and see the discussion in Edwards, Mark, p. 269.

6 See 2 Pet. 1:16–18.

Peter Morden, The Message of Discipleship: Authentic Followers of Jesus in Today’s World, ed. Derek Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today: Bible Themes Series, (London: Inter-Varsity Press, 2018). Page . Exported from Logos Bible Software, 7:54 PM December 20, 2023.