Tuesday Night Group (TNG ) Notes
Stay up to date on our weekly study of the Gospel of Mark
Mark 9:1 – Originally, Mark had no chapter breaks. These were inserted by the early church to help us better study God’s word. This verse is more appropriately verse 39 of chapter 8. The reason why it’s now paired with chapter 9 speaks volumes as to how the early church translated this passage.
“Truly I tell you” – Not that we’re to discount anything that Jesus says in the Bible, but when Jesus uses this phrase at the beginning of a statement, we need to listen. For Jesus is about to share a word of prophecy. In the Old Testament, prophets would say phrases like “The word of the Lord is…” Or “Thus says the Lord…” to introduce a prophetic word. But, since Jesus is God in human form, he simply states “Truly I tell you…”
“Some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” – This is the reason why this verse is included as verse 1 of chapter 9. For the early church needed to translate what Jesus meant. Basically, Jesus is saying that some of the people present, the disciples as well as the others, will live to see the kingdom of God come with power. So, naturally, the question that needed to be answered was, “When will the kingdom of God come in power?”
Possibilities include the transfiguration, which is the event described in the following verses. Others believe it refers to the resurrection or the ascension or Pentecost or the expanding church. Still others believe that it’s all of the above. But the church obviously believed that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. For that’s why they included this verse in chapter 9 and not in chapter 8.
For many of the people, who actually followed Jesus, believed that Jesus would be returning in their lifetime. Yet, when he didn’t there was a doubt that reared its ugly head: Was Jesus the real deal? For he obviously said what he said, regarding seeing the kingdom of God coming with power. Was he wrong? Are we fools to believe in and follow Jesus? The early church had to deal with these lingering questions.
Thus, in the early 1200’s the church added chapter breaks to the Bible. Later, around 1551, after the invention of the printing press made distribution of the Bible more prevalent, the church created verses to help in the reference to and study of the Bible. Thus, in the early 1200’s, the church brought to rest any doubt about their opinion of what Jesus meant, by including this as verse 1 of chapter 9.
Mark 9:2 – “After six days” – This is a Sabbath story. The creation narrative in Genesis teaches us that God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. This is called the Sabbath. It’s a day set aside to rest from all your labor and worship God. (BTW, the Sabbath has always been Saturday. That’s why every week on a calendar starts with Sunday.)
“Peter, James and John” – Why just these three disciples? There are many reasons, here are some of my favorites: (1) Jesus is giving us an effective example of leadership training. Remember, Jesus didn’t come only to save us. Jesus also came to teach us what it looks like to be saved. And this is what it looks like to walk with your oikos. Everyone is important, but some are invited in to experience a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus.
And the same is true for you. I’m sure that you have several people in your life with which you’re close. But there are also those special, chosen few, that you invite into a deeper, more intimate relationship.
(2) Peter, James and John represent the extremes of the twelve disciples. Peter was the oldest and frequently acted as the disciple’s spokesman. James was the first disciple martyr, marking supreme loyalty. John was the youngest and became the last surviving disciple that bridged generations. Thus, this leadership triad represents proclamation, sacrifice and longevity, ensuring the continual transmission of the good news of Jesus.
“Led them up a high mountain” – A “mountain top experience” is a Biblical metaphor for a peak emotional, spiritual or psychological moment in life that brings clarity, joy or a sense of awe. These moments are fleeting, not sustainable for the long-term, daily life. But they lead to a change of perspective or a renewed sense of purpose. Thus, they’re deeply remembered and cherished.
“There he was transfigured” – The Greek word is metamorphoo, which means “to transform” or “to change forms”. It is the root of the English word metamorphosis. It describes a profound change like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. In the transfiguration, Jesus underwent a dramatic, glorious transformation of his physical appearance, revealing his divine nature.
Mark 9:3 – “His clothes became dazzling white” – Jesus’ whole appearance shone forth in glorious, bright light. This wasn’t a light that shined on Jesus. This was a light that came from inside Jesus. “Transfigured” describes a change on the outside, that comes from the inside. This is the opposite of “masquerade”, which is an outward change that does not come from within.
Mark 7:20 – “What comes out of a person is what defiles them”. Glory or gloom are not the result of actions. The actions of a glorious person or a gloomy person come from who they are. Glory or gloom are simply outward expressions of who you are and what you believe.
Charles Spurgeon – An English Baptist preacher who lived from 1834-1892 once wrote about the transfiguration: “This was not a new miracle, but the temporary pause of an ongoing miracle. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying his glory. For Christ to be glorious was almost a less matter than for him to restrain or hide his glory. It is forever to his glory that he was able to conceal his glory; and that, though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor.”
Why now? At the end of chapter 8, Jesus made the shift from a public ministry of preaching and teaching and healing; to a private ministry of training up the disciples to be ready for his death and resurrection. And training them up for their eventual missionary work, spreading the good news of Jesus.
The transfiguration served as a sneak peak into Jesus’ glory. Reassuring the disciples (and us) that Jesus was in control and that his suffering was a part of a divine plan. In Mark 8:34-38, Jesus describes discipleship as taking up your cross and following Jesus. The transfiguration demonstrates that cross-bearers will also become glory-receivers.
Mark 9:4 – “And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses” – Moses represents the law. Elijah represents the prophets. Together, they represent the sum of Old Testament revelation. Here they meet with Jesus, reminding us that Jesus wasn’t something new that God was doing. But the continuation of what God has always been doing. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17)
Peter, James and John were invited to witness this event because they needed to see evidence of life, beyond this life. When they saw Moses and Elijah, they knew that Moses had died some 1,400 years before and Elijah had passed some 900 years ago. (2 Kings 2 – Elijah didn’t die. He was taken up to heaven alive, in a whirlwind, accompanied by a chariot of fire.) There they were, alive in glory before them. This gave them confidence in Jesus’ claim of resurrection.
Peter, James and John knew that this was Moses and Elijah. Which shows that we will know each other when we get to heaven.
Mark 9:5 & 6 – “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here” – The title “Rabbi” is one of respect. It was a title of honor and was used to describe someone who was great in the eyes of the student. “Good” in the sense that this is an unbelievable mountain top experience for Peter, James and John. “Good” also in the sense that now Jesus and Moses and Elijah can hang out and talk. While Peter, James and John help and serve.
“Let us put up three shelters” – These are the words of Peter. And Peter is the one who taught Mark. Peter, obviously, was hoping that this mountain top experience would last for a while. For he suggested that he, James and John build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. And who needs shelters, unless the plan is to camp out for a while? This was statement of what Peter desired. He desired to stay right there, as long as he could.
“He did not know what to say, they were so frightened” – Poor Peter! We often get into trouble when we speak like Peter did, not knowing what to say. But who can blame him? This situation had to be so weird that the natural reaction would be fear. Not fear of Jesus or Moses or Elijah; but fear like realizing that you’re in a very special place and time and feeling unworthy or feeling like an imposter of some kind. Feeling like you don’t know what to do or how to act or even who to be.
Again Spurgeon: “Peter was openhearted, bold, enthusiastic. To my mind, there is something very loveable about Peter; and, in my opinion, we need more Peters in the church of the present day. Though they are rash and impulsive, yet there is a fire in them, and there is steam in them, so that they keep us going.”
Mark 9:7 – “Then a cloud appeared” – This cloud represents the physical presence of God’s glory. A manifestation of all three revelations of God being in one place – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, it’s called Shekinah. The root of this word is sh-k-n, which means “to dwell” or “settle”.
The “cloud” describes the visible, tangible presence of God. It’s the cloud that guided Israel by day, in the Exodus from Egypt. It’s the cloud that stood by the door of the Tabernacle (A portable tent-shrine, in the wilderness, that served as the earthly residence of God.) It’s the cloud that appeared to King Solomon when the Temple was dedicated. It’s the cloud that overshadowed Mary when she conceived Jesus. It’s the cloud that will display the glory of Jesus, when he returns.
The world calls a cloud close to the ground “fog”. “Fog” conjures up images of fear, dread, secrecy, evil and separation. For fog reduces visibility. This isn’t a story of Jesus’ reduced visibility. For Peter, James and John saw clearly. More clearly, concerning Jesus, than ever.
“This is my Son” – In Mark 1:9-11, after Jesus’ baptism, Jesus heard the voice of the Father declare who he was and how much he was loved by the Father. Now, on the Mount of Transfiguration, basically the same message is shared with Peter, James and John. With an additional command.
In the culture of Jesus’ day, the firstborn son held immense significance as the family’s primary heir, representative, and future, possessing unique rights and duties. Under Mosaic law, the firstborn son belonged to God as a reminder of the Exodus. Thus, parents had to redeem or buy back their firstborn son, usually paying five shekels to a priest. The firstborn son represents the strength and vitality of the entire household. He represents the family’s continuation into the future. Much like a captain represents and leads a team.
"Listen to him!” – This is the Father answering any doubts that Peter, James and John might have had, about Jesus and the whole being turned over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law to be killed and then rising from the dead in three days matter. “Listen” is the present-imperative tense in Greek. Which means an ongoing, moment-by-moment posture of attentive obedience, not simply a one-time act. The invitation to listen is an invitation to allow your relationship with Jesus to act as the filter through which everything in your life must pass.
Some practical steps for listening: Read the Bible, pray and act on the smallest prompting of the Holy Spirit. In other words, if you feel as if you need to do something, say something, reach out to someone, answer an invitation, whatever, just do it. Seek out wise counsel in your life, from people who are following Jesus. Lastly, create space in your life for silence and solitude. For sometimes it’s hard to hear God, because of all the noise in your life.
Mark 9:8 – “Suddenly” – It’s been a while, but remember that Mark wrote with a sense of urgency. The Greek word euthus, translated as “immediately”, “straightaway”, or “at once” is used over 40 times in Mark’s gospel. He seems to be conveying to the readers that the Kingdom of God has arrived and demands a swift response to the gospel message and reflecting the crucial, time-sensitive nature of Jesus’ ministry.
“They no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus” – As suddenly as they appeared, Elijah and Moses are gone. This is a sign that Jesus is the supreme authority, fulfilling that which has come before – The Law that Moses represented and the Prophets that Elijah represented. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. Jesus came to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-18).
This is the official shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. What had been a relationship with God, based on a bloodline and a law, has now become a relationship with God, based on a relationship with Jesus. What had been a faith life structured around doing, has now become a faith life structured around being. Being who you are, as a dearly loved, sacred, child of God, in a personal relationship with Jesus. This is now your official relationship status.
Mark 9:9 – “As they were coming down” – All of us understand what it means to come down. To come down off a high, whether drug, alcohol, adrenaline, spiritual or even dream induced. That time when you can remember what was, what you felt, what you experienced, what you thought, but you aren’t there anymore. “Coming down” is a direct reference to the fact that Jesus, Peter, James and John were actually coming down off of a mountain. But also, it reflects the thought of coming down from a higher place, a better place, back to a normal place. The same idea that’s behind the phrase “mountain-top experience”.
None of us can live on the mountain top. We want to, that’s why so many people find addictions so pervasive. For all we want is to re-experience that mountain-top high that we had the first time.
“Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” Now that was a tall order! Peter, James and John had seen a transfigured Jesus, along with Moses and Elijah. That would be hard to keep to yourself.
Never forget that Jesus not only came to die on the cross, so that we can all have a right relationship with God. Jesus also came to show us what it looks like to live a life that is saved – has a right relationship with God. Well, the transfiguration was an upperclassman experience and all the disciples, present company included, were only freshmen. Thus, Jesus knew that they would not be able to fully understand the significance of the transfiguration, until after his death and resurrection.
Meaning that, if they did have permission to share away, they would’ve messed it all up and mudded the water. This is why Jesus only took Peter, James and John. For when the time was right, these three witnesses would be able to teach the full significance of what they experienced. And they would be believed. For in Jesus’ day the testimony of two to three witnesses was necessary to establish the truth of an event, providing legal and spiritual validation.
Our lesson: We will sell no wine, before it’s time. There will be things on our journey, that we’ll experience but not fully understand until a later time, when more information and more experience is added.
Mark 9:10 – “They kept the matter to themselves” – Peter, James and John listened not only to Jesus’ direction. They also listened to the voice of the Father, that they had heard on the mountain – “Listen to him”. How hard must that have been? For when Peter, James and John return to the other disciples, they will want to know what happened. For humans can’t stand vacuums. When we don’t know, our tendency is to grab ahold of anything that will inform our not knowing. Instead of simply being good living in the I don’t know.
“What ‘rising from the dead’ meant” – Peter, James and John had to wrestle with not only the fact of what they had just experienced. They also had to wrestle with Jesus’ command to not say anything until after he had risen from the dead. A statement that we have no problem understanding. For hindsight is 20/20. Yet, Peter, James and John didn’t understand what Jesus meant when he said “risen from the dead”. Was it a metaphor for Jesus rising from his relative obscurity, to take his rightful place as the King of Israel? Did it actually mean that Jesus would die and come bac from the dead?
Mark 9:11 – “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” – Our questions will always reveal not only our confusion, but also the direction that we’re currently following, in order to clear up our confusion. The disciples didn’t understand Jesus’ risen from the dead comment, so they’re trying to understand who Jesus is. Peter already declared that Jesus is the Messiah in Mark 8:29. Now they’re trying to reconcile that belief with what Jesus just ordered them to do.
For in Malachi 4:5-6 we read that Elijah will come before the Messiah. Every Jewish man would have known this. Peter, James and John, knowing this, are struggling with the fact they just saw Elijah with Jesus on the mountain, yet it was a brief visit that they must now keep secret. In essence, they were asking if that encounter with Elijah was the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy? And if it is, what’s up with all this risen from the dead talk and keeping it a secret stuff?
Mark 9:12 – “To be sure, Elijah does come first and restores all things.” – Jesus confirms Malachi’s prophecy. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law and the prophets. Jesus came to fulfill them. Two ways to look at this statement of Jesus: (1) Elijah has already come, in the person and ministry of John the Baptist. Or (2) the prophecy of Elijah has to do with Jesus’ second coming. In Revelation 11:2-13 we read of “two witnesses” who will prophecy for 1,260 days.
“Why is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected.” – Again, the conversational technique of Jesus’ ministry. He answers a question with a question. Jesus is challenging Peter, James and John’s misconception that the Messiah would only be a triumphant, political king.
He connects his role as the glorious “Son of Man” from Daniel 7, with the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. He’s asking them, to wrestle with the fact that scriptural prophecy requires him to endure rejection, humiliation and death to fulfill God’s plan. The “must” is Greek for a divine necessity in God’s plan, where suffering and death are pre-ordained steps leading to resurrection.
Mark 9:13 – “But I tell you” – Always pay attention to the buts in the Bible! Peter, James and John have been instructed by the Father to listen to Jesus. These words signify Jesus’ authoritative interpretation of prophecy. And what is to follow will directly challenge the disciples’ expectation of an immediate, glorious kingdom by emphasizing a path of suffering.
“Elijah has come” – John the Baptist lived and ministered in the role of and spirit of Elijah. He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He also taught that the one who comes after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
John suffered rejection and was executed by Herod. Jesus is trying to teach Peter, James and John (as well as all of us) that suffering is a natural part of life, as a follower of Jesus. It’s through this suffering that we become who God has created us and gifted us to be. Thus, it’s important that Peter, James and John allow themselves and the other disciples to experience all that they will experience, before they make up their mind about who Jesus is and who they will be, in response.
“Truly I tell you” – Not that we’re to discount anything that Jesus says in the Bible, but when Jesus uses this phrase at the beginning of a statement, we need to listen. For Jesus is about to share a word of prophecy. In the Old Testament, prophets would say phrases like “The word of the Lord is…” Or “Thus says the Lord…” to introduce a prophetic word. But, since Jesus is God in human form, he simply states “Truly I tell you…”
“Some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” – This is the reason why this verse is included as verse 1 of chapter 9. For the early church needed to translate what Jesus meant. Basically, Jesus is saying that some of the people present, the disciples as well as the others, will live to see the kingdom of God come with power. So, naturally, the question that needed to be answered was, “When will the kingdom of God come in power?”
Possibilities include the transfiguration, which is the event described in the following verses. Others believe it refers to the resurrection or the ascension or Pentecost or the expanding church. Still others believe that it’s all of the above. But the church obviously believed that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration. For that’s why they included this verse in chapter 9 and not in chapter 8.
For many of the people, who actually followed Jesus, believed that Jesus would be returning in their lifetime. Yet, when he didn’t there was a doubt that reared its ugly head: Was Jesus the real deal? For he obviously said what he said, regarding seeing the kingdom of God coming with power. Was he wrong? Are we fools to believe in and follow Jesus? The early church had to deal with these lingering questions.
Thus, in the early 1200’s the church added chapter breaks to the Bible. Later, around 1551, after the invention of the printing press made distribution of the Bible more prevalent, the church created verses to help in the reference to and study of the Bible. Thus, in the early 1200’s, the church brought to rest any doubt about their opinion of what Jesus meant, by including this as verse 1 of chapter 9.
Mark 9:2 – “After six days” – This is a Sabbath story. The creation narrative in Genesis teaches us that God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. This is called the Sabbath. It’s a day set aside to rest from all your labor and worship God. (BTW, the Sabbath has always been Saturday. That’s why every week on a calendar starts with Sunday.)
“Peter, James and John” – Why just these three disciples? There are many reasons, here are some of my favorites: (1) Jesus is giving us an effective example of leadership training. Remember, Jesus didn’t come only to save us. Jesus also came to teach us what it looks like to be saved. And this is what it looks like to walk with your oikos. Everyone is important, but some are invited in to experience a closer, more intimate relationship with Jesus.
And the same is true for you. I’m sure that you have several people in your life with which you’re close. But there are also those special, chosen few, that you invite into a deeper, more intimate relationship.
(2) Peter, James and John represent the extremes of the twelve disciples. Peter was the oldest and frequently acted as the disciple’s spokesman. James was the first disciple martyr, marking supreme loyalty. John was the youngest and became the last surviving disciple that bridged generations. Thus, this leadership triad represents proclamation, sacrifice and longevity, ensuring the continual transmission of the good news of Jesus.
“Led them up a high mountain” – A “mountain top experience” is a Biblical metaphor for a peak emotional, spiritual or psychological moment in life that brings clarity, joy or a sense of awe. These moments are fleeting, not sustainable for the long-term, daily life. But they lead to a change of perspective or a renewed sense of purpose. Thus, they’re deeply remembered and cherished.
“There he was transfigured” – The Greek word is metamorphoo, which means “to transform” or “to change forms”. It is the root of the English word metamorphosis. It describes a profound change like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. In the transfiguration, Jesus underwent a dramatic, glorious transformation of his physical appearance, revealing his divine nature.
Mark 9:3 – “His clothes became dazzling white” – Jesus’ whole appearance shone forth in glorious, bright light. This wasn’t a light that shined on Jesus. This was a light that came from inside Jesus. “Transfigured” describes a change on the outside, that comes from the inside. This is the opposite of “masquerade”, which is an outward change that does not come from within.
Mark 7:20 – “What comes out of a person is what defiles them”. Glory or gloom are not the result of actions. The actions of a glorious person or a gloomy person come from who they are. Glory or gloom are simply outward expressions of who you are and what you believe.
Charles Spurgeon – An English Baptist preacher who lived from 1834-1892 once wrote about the transfiguration: “This was not a new miracle, but the temporary pause of an ongoing miracle. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying his glory. For Christ to be glorious was almost a less matter than for him to restrain or hide his glory. It is forever to his glory that he was able to conceal his glory; and that, though he was rich, for our sakes he became poor.”
Why now? At the end of chapter 8, Jesus made the shift from a public ministry of preaching and teaching and healing; to a private ministry of training up the disciples to be ready for his death and resurrection. And training them up for their eventual missionary work, spreading the good news of Jesus.
The transfiguration served as a sneak peak into Jesus’ glory. Reassuring the disciples (and us) that Jesus was in control and that his suffering was a part of a divine plan. In Mark 8:34-38, Jesus describes discipleship as taking up your cross and following Jesus. The transfiguration demonstrates that cross-bearers will also become glory-receivers.
Mark 9:4 – “And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses” – Moses represents the law. Elijah represents the prophets. Together, they represent the sum of Old Testament revelation. Here they meet with Jesus, reminding us that Jesus wasn’t something new that God was doing. But the continuation of what God has always been doing. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17)
Peter, James and John were invited to witness this event because they needed to see evidence of life, beyond this life. When they saw Moses and Elijah, they knew that Moses had died some 1,400 years before and Elijah had passed some 900 years ago. (2 Kings 2 – Elijah didn’t die. He was taken up to heaven alive, in a whirlwind, accompanied by a chariot of fire.) There they were, alive in glory before them. This gave them confidence in Jesus’ claim of resurrection.
Peter, James and John knew that this was Moses and Elijah. Which shows that we will know each other when we get to heaven.
Mark 9:5 & 6 – “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here” – The title “Rabbi” is one of respect. It was a title of honor and was used to describe someone who was great in the eyes of the student. “Good” in the sense that this is an unbelievable mountain top experience for Peter, James and John. “Good” also in the sense that now Jesus and Moses and Elijah can hang out and talk. While Peter, James and John help and serve.
“Let us put up three shelters” – These are the words of Peter. And Peter is the one who taught Mark. Peter, obviously, was hoping that this mountain top experience would last for a while. For he suggested that he, James and John build shelters for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. And who needs shelters, unless the plan is to camp out for a while? This was statement of what Peter desired. He desired to stay right there, as long as he could.
“He did not know what to say, they were so frightened” – Poor Peter! We often get into trouble when we speak like Peter did, not knowing what to say. But who can blame him? This situation had to be so weird that the natural reaction would be fear. Not fear of Jesus or Moses or Elijah; but fear like realizing that you’re in a very special place and time and feeling unworthy or feeling like an imposter of some kind. Feeling like you don’t know what to do or how to act or even who to be.
Again Spurgeon: “Peter was openhearted, bold, enthusiastic. To my mind, there is something very loveable about Peter; and, in my opinion, we need more Peters in the church of the present day. Though they are rash and impulsive, yet there is a fire in them, and there is steam in them, so that they keep us going.”
Mark 9:7 – “Then a cloud appeared” – This cloud represents the physical presence of God’s glory. A manifestation of all three revelations of God being in one place – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, it’s called Shekinah. The root of this word is sh-k-n, which means “to dwell” or “settle”.
The “cloud” describes the visible, tangible presence of God. It’s the cloud that guided Israel by day, in the Exodus from Egypt. It’s the cloud that stood by the door of the Tabernacle (A portable tent-shrine, in the wilderness, that served as the earthly residence of God.) It’s the cloud that appeared to King Solomon when the Temple was dedicated. It’s the cloud that overshadowed Mary when she conceived Jesus. It’s the cloud that will display the glory of Jesus, when he returns.
The world calls a cloud close to the ground “fog”. “Fog” conjures up images of fear, dread, secrecy, evil and separation. For fog reduces visibility. This isn’t a story of Jesus’ reduced visibility. For Peter, James and John saw clearly. More clearly, concerning Jesus, than ever.
“This is my Son” – In Mark 1:9-11, after Jesus’ baptism, Jesus heard the voice of the Father declare who he was and how much he was loved by the Father. Now, on the Mount of Transfiguration, basically the same message is shared with Peter, James and John. With an additional command.
In the culture of Jesus’ day, the firstborn son held immense significance as the family’s primary heir, representative, and future, possessing unique rights and duties. Under Mosaic law, the firstborn son belonged to God as a reminder of the Exodus. Thus, parents had to redeem or buy back their firstborn son, usually paying five shekels to a priest. The firstborn son represents the strength and vitality of the entire household. He represents the family’s continuation into the future. Much like a captain represents and leads a team.
"Listen to him!” – This is the Father answering any doubts that Peter, James and John might have had, about Jesus and the whole being turned over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law to be killed and then rising from the dead in three days matter. “Listen” is the present-imperative tense in Greek. Which means an ongoing, moment-by-moment posture of attentive obedience, not simply a one-time act. The invitation to listen is an invitation to allow your relationship with Jesus to act as the filter through which everything in your life must pass.
Some practical steps for listening: Read the Bible, pray and act on the smallest prompting of the Holy Spirit. In other words, if you feel as if you need to do something, say something, reach out to someone, answer an invitation, whatever, just do it. Seek out wise counsel in your life, from people who are following Jesus. Lastly, create space in your life for silence and solitude. For sometimes it’s hard to hear God, because of all the noise in your life.
Mark 9:8 – “Suddenly” – It’s been a while, but remember that Mark wrote with a sense of urgency. The Greek word euthus, translated as “immediately”, “straightaway”, or “at once” is used over 40 times in Mark’s gospel. He seems to be conveying to the readers that the Kingdom of God has arrived and demands a swift response to the gospel message and reflecting the crucial, time-sensitive nature of Jesus’ ministry.
“They no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus” – As suddenly as they appeared, Elijah and Moses are gone. This is a sign that Jesus is the supreme authority, fulfilling that which has come before – The Law that Moses represented and the Prophets that Elijah represented. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. Jesus came to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-18).
This is the official shift from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. What had been a relationship with God, based on a bloodline and a law, has now become a relationship with God, based on a relationship with Jesus. What had been a faith life structured around doing, has now become a faith life structured around being. Being who you are, as a dearly loved, sacred, child of God, in a personal relationship with Jesus. This is now your official relationship status.
Mark 9:9 – “As they were coming down” – All of us understand what it means to come down. To come down off a high, whether drug, alcohol, adrenaline, spiritual or even dream induced. That time when you can remember what was, what you felt, what you experienced, what you thought, but you aren’t there anymore. “Coming down” is a direct reference to the fact that Jesus, Peter, James and John were actually coming down off of a mountain. But also, it reflects the thought of coming down from a higher place, a better place, back to a normal place. The same idea that’s behind the phrase “mountain-top experience”.
None of us can live on the mountain top. We want to, that’s why so many people find addictions so pervasive. For all we want is to re-experience that mountain-top high that we had the first time.
“Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.” Now that was a tall order! Peter, James and John had seen a transfigured Jesus, along with Moses and Elijah. That would be hard to keep to yourself.
Never forget that Jesus not only came to die on the cross, so that we can all have a right relationship with God. Jesus also came to show us what it looks like to live a life that is saved – has a right relationship with God. Well, the transfiguration was an upperclassman experience and all the disciples, present company included, were only freshmen. Thus, Jesus knew that they would not be able to fully understand the significance of the transfiguration, until after his death and resurrection.
Meaning that, if they did have permission to share away, they would’ve messed it all up and mudded the water. This is why Jesus only took Peter, James and John. For when the time was right, these three witnesses would be able to teach the full significance of what they experienced. And they would be believed. For in Jesus’ day the testimony of two to three witnesses was necessary to establish the truth of an event, providing legal and spiritual validation.
Our lesson: We will sell no wine, before it’s time. There will be things on our journey, that we’ll experience but not fully understand until a later time, when more information and more experience is added.
Mark 9:10 – “They kept the matter to themselves” – Peter, James and John listened not only to Jesus’ direction. They also listened to the voice of the Father, that they had heard on the mountain – “Listen to him”. How hard must that have been? For when Peter, James and John return to the other disciples, they will want to know what happened. For humans can’t stand vacuums. When we don’t know, our tendency is to grab ahold of anything that will inform our not knowing. Instead of simply being good living in the I don’t know.
“What ‘rising from the dead’ meant” – Peter, James and John had to wrestle with not only the fact of what they had just experienced. They also had to wrestle with Jesus’ command to not say anything until after he had risen from the dead. A statement that we have no problem understanding. For hindsight is 20/20. Yet, Peter, James and John didn’t understand what Jesus meant when he said “risen from the dead”. Was it a metaphor for Jesus rising from his relative obscurity, to take his rightful place as the King of Israel? Did it actually mean that Jesus would die and come bac from the dead?
Mark 9:11 – “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” – Our questions will always reveal not only our confusion, but also the direction that we’re currently following, in order to clear up our confusion. The disciples didn’t understand Jesus’ risen from the dead comment, so they’re trying to understand who Jesus is. Peter already declared that Jesus is the Messiah in Mark 8:29. Now they’re trying to reconcile that belief with what Jesus just ordered them to do.
For in Malachi 4:5-6 we read that Elijah will come before the Messiah. Every Jewish man would have known this. Peter, James and John, knowing this, are struggling with the fact they just saw Elijah with Jesus on the mountain, yet it was a brief visit that they must now keep secret. In essence, they were asking if that encounter with Elijah was the fulfillment of Malachi’s prophecy? And if it is, what’s up with all this risen from the dead talk and keeping it a secret stuff?
Mark 9:12 – “To be sure, Elijah does come first and restores all things.” – Jesus confirms Malachi’s prophecy. Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law and the prophets. Jesus came to fulfill them. Two ways to look at this statement of Jesus: (1) Elijah has already come, in the person and ministry of John the Baptist. Or (2) the prophecy of Elijah has to do with Jesus’ second coming. In Revelation 11:2-13 we read of “two witnesses” who will prophecy for 1,260 days.
“Why is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected.” – Again, the conversational technique of Jesus’ ministry. He answers a question with a question. Jesus is challenging Peter, James and John’s misconception that the Messiah would only be a triumphant, political king.
He connects his role as the glorious “Son of Man” from Daniel 7, with the suffering servant in Isaiah 53. He’s asking them, to wrestle with the fact that scriptural prophecy requires him to endure rejection, humiliation and death to fulfill God’s plan. The “must” is Greek for a divine necessity in God’s plan, where suffering and death are pre-ordained steps leading to resurrection.
Mark 9:13 – “But I tell you” – Always pay attention to the buts in the Bible! Peter, James and John have been instructed by the Father to listen to Jesus. These words signify Jesus’ authoritative interpretation of prophecy. And what is to follow will directly challenge the disciples’ expectation of an immediate, glorious kingdom by emphasizing a path of suffering.
“Elijah has come” – John the Baptist lived and ministered in the role of and spirit of Elijah. He preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He also taught that the one who comes after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
John suffered rejection and was executed by Herod. Jesus is trying to teach Peter, James and John (as well as all of us) that suffering is a natural part of life, as a follower of Jesus. It’s through this suffering that we become who God has created us and gifted us to be. Thus, it’s important that Peter, James and John allow themselves and the other disciples to experience all that they will experience, before they make up their mind about who Jesus is and who they will be, in response.
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