Stories of the Rabbi 15

Mark 9:1-32 – A prediction, a transfiguration, another exorcism, and a second prediction

I. This week, we are starting with 9:1, as I am not sure our two groups hit that passage or gave it enough time. It is a vitally important verse and needs to be kept in mind as we go through the rest of the Gospel of Mark. We will also see much shadowing of death and resurrection throughout the rest of the Gospel.

a. Vs. 9:1 – what does Jesus mean in this verse?

i. “Truly I tell you” means that Jesus is speaking authoritatively

ii. The verse could not refer to His coming again after the ascension – as that has not yet happened

iii. It may be referring to Jesus, death, and resurrection.

iv. It may be referring to the sending of the Holy Spirit in Acts Chapter 2

v. It may be referring to the following passage (9:2-13)

vi. It may be describing the present manifestation of the Kingdom of God

vii. He may be referring to the destruction of the temple

viii. It may be all of them

b. Discuss

II. 9:2-13 The Transfiguration

a. Read through this passage and remember the context

i. Jesus has just predicted his death

ii. Jesus has just taught on the cost of being a disciple

iii. Jesus has predicted that some hearing Him will partake of the Kingdom of God with power

b. 9:2 – up a mountain – but which one? Three possible options:

i. Mt. Herman – the highest peak in Israel, the only place it snows. 9,200 ft above sea level. 15 miles from Caesarea Philippi

ii. Mt. Tabor – 30 South of Capernaum, 15 miles west of the Sea of Galilee, 1640 feet above sea level

iii. Mt. Meiron – upper Galilee (not sure of height)

c. 9:3 – Jesus is transformed

i. The Greek word μεταμορφόω metamorphoō where we get the idea of metamorphosis – think caterpillar changing to butterfly. This word connotes an outward visible change that is drastic

ii. Peter, Jacob (James), and John are the three in his innermost circle, and they are with Him

d. 9:4 – Whiter than the whitest of white

i. His clothes became στίλβω stilbō which is intense white light

ii. What is the significance of this white light?

iii. Where in scripture have we read of the same kind of light?

e. A chat with Moses and Elijah

i. Moses – prophet, Law

ii. Elijah – prophet, power and miracles

iii. Both were prophets, and both heard the voice of God on Mt. Saini (Horeb) (Exod. 19–24; 34; 1 Kings 19)

f. 9:5-6 – this is a terrifying event for the three bystanders

i. Peter actually steps out of his fear and suggests building booths and staying awhile. Why?

1. Maybe to prolong the experience

2. Perhaps related to the Feast of Tabernacles (Lev.23)

3. Mark could be using the voice of Peter to suggest a “New Exodus” and an end of Jewish subjugation by Rome (forgetting that Jesus had already predicted His own death)

g. 9:7-8 A cloud, a voice, and then it’s over

i. A cloud appeared—wherever we read of clouds, we think of God’s glory, the vehicle of God’s presence. God's presence and glory surrounded and enveloped them.

ii. God’s voice is heard—God is telling the bystanders (and all who hear or read this Gospel) that Jesus is the Messiah and is loved by the Father. We are to listen to what He has to say.

iii. Just like that, it’s all over, and the four are left standing – three of them unsure of what just happened.

h. 9:9 - 10 Again, Jesus ordered not to tell anyone about this, but this time, He states the condition: “until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” Jesus has predicted His death and resurrection.

i. The disciples were confused by what Jesus meant because they understood “resurrection” to mean a corporate, national resurrection. They had no concept of individual resurrection.

i. 9:11-13 – What about Elijah?

i. The disciples ask, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

1. The teachers of the Law teach that Elijah needed to come first before the Messiah arrived

2. Elijah was to prepare the land for the Messiah, who would take over and set everything to the right

3. What Jesus was talking about, the suffering Messiah, was utterly foreign to their understanding of the Messiah

ii. Jesus’ answer adds to their confusion

1. Jesus states that Elijah has come, but that does not mean the Messiah was not to suffer (see Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22:1, 118:22)

2. Jesus is referring to Elijah not as the Old Testament prophet but to John the Baptist

3. Just like Ahab and Jezebel tormented Elijah, so did Herod torment (and kill) JtB.

III. 9:14 – 29 Healing a boy possessed by a demon

a. 9:14- 18 They are back with the other disciples who are embroiled in discussion with the scribes and a man with a son who is possessed by a demon.

i. The nine remaining disciples have tried to cast out the demon but have not been able to

b. 9:19 – who is the “unbelieving generation”?

i. The disciples – they still struggle with believing what they have seen and heard from Jesus

ii. Israel – they see the Messiah, but they even reject the Messiah

iii. Just those involved in the dispute

iv. “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?” is easily read as Jesus’ frustration, but that might not be the case. As we look deeper into the language, he seems eager to get to His final stage of resurrection and glorification so that the 12 would finally understand.

c. 9:20-22 encounter with the demon

i. This is a very violent demon who had possessed the boy from an early age

ii. We need to understand that Satan hates innocence and hates purity- this “filthy spirit” has corrupted the innocence and purity of this boy in a very violent and ugly fashion

d. 9:23-24 A quick exchange with the man

i. Jesus corrects (gently) the man with “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

ii. The man’s answer is classic and one that we all struggle with: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

iii. Discuss this statement – how do we, in our belief, struggle with unbelief?

e. 9:25- unbelief is conquered with Jesus’ authority and power

f. 9:26 – 27 – Is this passage foreshadowing death and resurrection?

g. 9:28 – 29 – Jesus then instructs the 12 on how authority over particularly fierce demons is taken – notice Jesus’ gentle tone with them

IV. 9:30-32 The second Prediction

a. This is another instance of private instruction

b. The disciples still do not understand because they have not yet released their concept of Messiah

i. The idea of suffering Messiah is again lost on them

ii. They have not yet grasped that the Messiah has to suffer and die so that death and sin can be defeated

iii. They have been taught all their lives that the Messiah is a national and political savior, not a personal savior

iv. This is because Israel had forgotten the central problem the Messiah was there to solve – the separation of humanity from the Creator because of Sin

v. Discuss this misconception of Messiah and how we in our culture today misappropriate Jesus for things other than what he was meant to do