Mark 9, verse 1. And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
The Transfiguration
Mark 9, verse 2. Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. Mark 9, verse 3. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Mark 9, verse 4. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Mark 9, verse 5. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— Mark 9, verse 6. because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid. Mark 9, verse 7. And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” Mark 9, verse 8. Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
Is Elijah Coming?
Mark 9, verse 9. Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. Mark 9, verse 10. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. Mark 9, verse 11. And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Mark 9, verse 12. Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? Mark 9, verse 13. But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”
O Faithless Generation
Mark 9, verse 14. And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. Mark 9, verse 15. Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. Mark 9, verse 16. And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?” Mark 9, verse 17. Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. Mark 9, verse 18. And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.” Mark 9, verse 19. He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Mark 9, verse 20. Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. Mark 9, verse 21. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. Mark 9, verse 22. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Mark 9, verse 23. Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9, verse 24. Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9, verse 25. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” Mark 9, verse 26. Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” Mark 9, verse 27. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. Mark 9, verse 28. And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” Mark 9, verse 29. So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
Jesus’ Second Prophecy of His Passion
Mark 9, verse 30. Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. Mark 9, verse 31. For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” Mark 9, verse 32. But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
The Way of Discipleship
Mark 9, verse 33. Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” Mark 9, verse 34. But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. Mark 9, verse 35. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Mark 9, verse 36. 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, Mark 9, verse 37. “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” Mark 9, verse 38. Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” Mark 9, verse 39. But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. Mark 9, verse 40. For he who is not against us is on our side. Mark 9, verse 41. For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Mark 9, verse 42. “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. Mark 9, verse 43. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— Mark 9, verse 44. where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ Mark 9, verse 45. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— Mark 9, verse 46. where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ Mark 9, verse 47. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— Mark 9, verse 48. where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ Mark 9, verse 49. “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Mark 9, verse 50. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”