Exegesis Mark 9:30-37
9:32 But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. The disciples’ misunderstanding continued; they didn’t understand why Jesus would keep talking about dying because they expected him to set up a political kingdom. His death, they thought, would dash their hopes. They didn’t know that Jesus’ death and resurrection would make his spiritual kingdom possible. They may have been afraid to ask Jesus about his prediction because the last time they reacted to Jesus’ sobering words, they were scolded (8:32–33). In their minds, Jesus seemed morbidly preoccupied with death. Actually it was the disciples who were wrongly preoccupied—constantly thinking about the kingdom they hoped Jesus would bring and their possible positions in it (9:34). If Jesus died, the kingdom as they imagined it could not come. Consequently, they preferred not to ask him about his predictions.
SLOW LEARNERS
Once again Jesus predicted his death but also told of his resurrection. Unfortunately, the disciples heard only the first part of Jesus’ words and became discouraged. They couldn’t understand why Jesus wanted to go back to Jerusalem where he would walk right into trouble. The disciples didn’t fully comprehend the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection until Pentecost (Acts 2). We shouldn’t get upset at ourselves for being slow to understand everything about Jesus. After all, the disciples were with him, saw his miracles, heard his words, and still had difficulty understanding. Despite their questions and doubts, however, they believed. We should do no less.
THE DISCIPLES ARGUE ABOUT WHO WOULD BE THE GREATEST / 9:33–37 / 115
This and the next episode provide examples of prestige issues within the band of disciples. Verse 33 begins with the disciples arguing; verse 50 ends with “Be at peace.” The disciples were jostling for position among themselves as well as trying to preserve their special status with outsiders. Though this incident is included in the first three Gospels, each one recorded the exchange from a slightly different perspective. Mark captured the immediacy of the original argument as they walked along the way: They were debating their present pecking order. Although they were silent about admitting that argument, they eventually asked the question noted by Matthew, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1 NIV). Luke summarized the argument as having forward-looking aspects, but he moved quickly to Jesus’ response. Though Mark does not record Jesus’ comments about the humility of a little child, Jesus’ use of the child as an example provided a clear rebuke to the petty arguments about status among his followers.
Pride is one of the commonest sins which beset human nature …. It is a subtle sin. It rules and reigns in many a heart without being detected, and can even wear the clothing of humility. It is a most soul-ruining sin. It prevents repentance, keeps people back from Christ, checks brotherly love and nips spiritual concern in the bud. Let us watch against it and be on our guard. Of all clothing, none is so graceful, none wears so well and none is so rare as true humility.
J. C. Ryle
9:33 Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” Jesus and the disciples arrived in Capernaum; the house to which they returned was probably Peter’s home, where they usually stayed when in that city (1:21, 29). Apparently the disciples had kept somewhat to themselves as they followed Jesus along the road, but Jesus knew they were having a heated discussion.
The disciples didn’t understand Jesus’ words about his death. They still thought of Jesus as just an earthly king, and they were concerned about their place in the kingdom he would set up. So they had ignored Jesus’ words about his death and had begun arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Mark made a conscious contrast between the Son of Man who voluntarily submitted to martyrdom and the disciples who cared for their status.
Apparently Jesus already knew what the disciples had been discussing; for even though he asked the question, he didn’t receive an answer (9:34). But he then gave them an unforgettable lesson in true greatness.
SAFE AMBITION
The disciples, caught up in their desire for personal success, were embarrassed to answer Jesus’ question. It is always painful to compare our motives with Christ’s. It is not wrong for believers to be industrious or ambitious. But when ambition pushes aside obedience and service, it becomes sin. We are all like the disciples and even like the Pharisees in this regard. Pride or insecurity can cause us to overvalue position and prestige. In God’s kingdom, such motives are destructive. The only safe ambition is directed toward Christ’s kingdom, not our own advancement. We must renounce pride and status seeking. They are Satan’s tools, not Christ’s.
9:34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. Jesus’ pointed question gave way to embarrassed silence. No one wanted to admit that they had argued with one another who was the greatest. In Jewish culture, a person’s rank was of considerable importance (see Luke 14:7–11 for an example); thus, the disciples were naturally curious about their rank in the coming kingdom. The argument may have been fueled by the special privileges given to Peter, James, and John at various times, most recently their going with Jesus on the mountain and then not even being able to tell the others what had happened there (9:2, 9). Matthew 18:1 says that one of the disciples asked Jesus to settle the argument; Luke 9:47 says that since Jesus knew their thoughts, he was aware of the content of their argument without having to ask.
9:35 He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Clearly Jesus had his work cut out for him in teaching these disciples who would be responsible to carry on his mission. So he sat down in the house (as a Jewish teacher would) and called the disciples to sit at his feet. In a sentence, he taught the essence of true greatness, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (see 10:45). Greatness is determined by servanthood. The true leader places his or her self and needs last, as Jesus exemplified in his life and in his death. Being a “servant” did not mean occupying a servile position; rather it meant having an attitude of life that freely attended to others’ needs without expecting or demanding anything in return. Jesus expounded on this concept in his call to self-denial (8:34) and in his emphasis on loving your neighbor as yourself (12:31). Seeking honor, respect, and the attention of others runs contrary to Jesus’ requirements for his servants. An attitude of service brings true greatness in God’s kingdom.
Instead of telling others what to do, disciples should do it for others.
Gilbert Bilezikian
IT’S YOUR SERVE
Serving others is real leadership. Jesus described leadership from a new perspective. Instead of using people, we are to serve them. Jesus’ mission was to serve others and to give his life away. A real leader has a servant’s heart. Servant leaders appreciate others’ worth and realize that they’re not above any job. If you see something that needs to be done, don’t wait to be asked. Take the initiative and do it like a faithful servant. Don’t approach life expecting high positions, honors, and special privileges. Look instead for ways to help others.
9:36–37 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Jesus’ action in these verses clarified his words in 9:35. The Aramaic language has the same word for “child” and “servant.” Thus when Jesus took a little child into his arms (probably one of the host’s children, maybe one of Peter’s children), the explanation of greatness was made even more distinct. Only Mark mentions Jesus taking the child in his arms.
When we receive Jesus, we actually “enter” or are “received into” his kingdom. The way into this kingdom is to turn to God from sin in the same spirit of humility that a child exhibits when he shows simple trust in someone he loves. A child comes to a trusted adult without achievements or personal greatness; instead, the child comes simply trusting that he will be received and loved. Thus, when the disciples argued about greatness, they were way off base. Jesus explained that such an attitude alone was enough to keep one from ever finding and entering his kingdom. We must humbly recognize that Jesus already paid the price for our entrance into his kingdom. Any greatness we might have comes only from humble service to our Savior and Lord.
Jesus’ statement can be better understood when compared with the parallel passage in Matthew 18:1–5. Matthew recorded more of Jesus’ words: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me” (Matthew 18:3–5 NRSV). The disciples had become so preoccupied with the organization of Jesus’ earthly kingdom that they had lost sight of its divine purpose. Instead of seeking a place of service, they were seeking positions of advantage. Jesus used a child to help his self-centered disciples get the point. They were to have servant attitudes, being not “childish” (arguing over petty issues), but “childlike,” with humble and sincere hearts.
KNOWING GOD
Jesus said, “Whoever receives me, receives … him who sent me.” Of all the things that are mysterious to us, God heads the list. The question of how to know God has occupied people since the first day of human life, and still the question remains.
But Jesus unlocks the mystery for us. To know Jesus, to embrace him and trust confidently in his Word, is to know God. We do not know all about God, but we know enough to be saved. We do not know him face-to-face, but we do know him through Jesus as our mediator. We do not have every question answered, but we gain growing sensitivity and compassion, like a child attaching to a parent.
Jesus warmly invites us to know God. No one else can make that introduction. No one else knows both this time-bound life and worlds beyond. Accept the invitation today because there’s no reason for delay.
In addition, Jesus taught the disciples to welcome children. This was a new approach in a society where children were usually treated as second-class citizens. Jesus equated the attitude of receiving children with a willingness to receive him. Hidden in this statement is a profound truth of Jesus’ identity. Jesus added that to receive him is to receive the one who sent him, God the Father. Jesus and God the Father are one.