Mark 9:33-50

Intro

Review

Our Focus: What Jesus Did and Taught

Mark’s Focus - Jesus as the Royal Servant | Behavior of Disciples

Chapters 1-8 Actually might have a heavier emphasis on Servant and 9-16 on Kingdom.

Start with Transfiguration in 9, building to an unmissable crescendo in 11 with the Triumphal entry and growing still more reach Creation’s Loudest Notes in chapters 15-16 with the Death, Burial, and Resurrection

Preview

Key Word: Kingdom (Mk 9:47; 10:14-15,23,24,25, bonus points for Son of David in Mk 10:47,48)

Mark 9:33-35

Mark 9:33–35 ESV

33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

as the disciples had been bickering on their way about whom was greatest, Jesus laid down the great Christian truth that must govern the mind of every disciple - If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.

Mark 9:36-42

Mark 9:36–42 ESV

36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” 38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us. 41 For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward. 42 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

John either

rudely interrupted - like Peter might have

is quoted here by Mark for thematic emphasis at the cost of chronological accuracy

understood Jesus perfectly

38-41 seems like an interruption in Jesus’ discourse centered on the child that he’s placed in their midst (36) to exemplify the purity, humility, and innocence Jesus desires in his disciples; but I don’t think it is; at least, I think Mark places this question from James here because Jesus’ answer is very well connected to his statement not only about receiving disciples, but also how his disciples should convey themselves.

Mark 9:43-50

Mark 9:43–50 ESV

43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’ 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Final teaching in this chapter for Kingdom Behavior: Be at Peace with one another