Mark 9-11

Mark 9

The Transfiguration

• Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain
• He is transfigured before them:
  • clothes become dazzling white
  • μετεμορφώθη (metemorphṓthē)
• Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Jesus
• Peter says: “Let us make three tents…” (doesn’t know what to say)
• A cloud overshadows them
• The Father speaks: “This is My beloved Son; listen to Him”
• Suddenly only Jesus remains

Healing a Boy with an Unclean Spirit

• They come down to a crowd
• Disciples unable to cast out a demon
• spirit causes:
  • seizures
  • foaming
  • self-harm
• Jesus says “All things are possible for one who believes”
• Father says “I believe; help my unbelief!”
• Jesus rebukes the spirit
• Boy appears dead but then rises
• Disciples ask privately:
  • why couldn’t we cast it out?
• Jesus:“This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer”

Jesus teaches privately

• Says:
  • He will be delivered
  • killed
  • rise after three days
• Disciples do not understand and are afraid to ask

Disciples argue about greatness

• Jesus teaches:“If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”
• He takes a child and sets him in their midst
• Says whoever receives a child receives Him

John says: someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name

• They tried to stop him
• Jesus replies:
  • “Do not stop him”
  • “Whoever is not against us is for us”

Warning Against Causing Sin

• Causing “little ones” to stumble = serious warning
• Better for millstone around neck than lead others into sin
  • cut off hand / foot / eye if it causes sin

Mark 10

Teaching on Divorce

• Pharisees test Jesus and ask about divorce
• Jesus points back to creation:
  • Genesis
  • male and female
  • “the two shall become one flesh”
• Key teaching: what God joined,  man should not separate
• Divorce allowed because of hardness of heart
• Marriage is a covenant, not a convenience

Let the Children Come

• People bring children to Jesus and disciples rebuke them
• Jesus: “Let the children come to Me”
  • kingdom belongs to such as these
  • receive it like a child
• He takes them and blesses them

The Rich Young Ruler

• A man asks: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
• Jesus points to commandments
• Man says he has kept them
• Jesus loves him and says:
  • sell possessions
  • give to poor
  • follow Me
• Man goes away sorrowful 
• Jesus says: “How difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom”
  • camel through eye of a needle (hard to give up riches on earth)
• Disciples shocked and ask “Who then can be saved?”
• Jesus: “With man it is impossible, but not with God”

Reward for Following Jesus

• Peter says: “We have left everything”
• Jesus promises:
  • reward now (with persecution)
  • eternal life
  • “Many who are first will be last…”

Third Prediction of His Death

• Jesus going to Jerusalem
• predicts:
  • betrayal
  • mocking
  • beating
  • death
  • resurrection

Request of James and John

• They ask to sit at His right and left in glory
• Jesus:
  • “You do not know what you are asking”
  • speaks of “cup” and “baptism” (suffering)
• Other disciples angry
• Jesus teaches:
  • greatness comes from serving others
  • “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve”
  • to give His life as a ransom for many

Healing Blind Bartimaeus

• In Jericho a blind beggar cries out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
• Crowd tries to silence him and he cries out louder
• Jesus calls him and asks: “What do you want Me to do for you?”
• Bartimaeus: “Let me recover my sight”
• Jesus: “Your faith has made you well”
• Immediately:
  • he sees
• follows Jesus

Mark 11

The Triumphal Entry

• Jesus enters Jerusalem
• Sends disciples to get a colt
• They bring it
• People:
  • spread cloaks
  • wave branches
  • shout:
    • “Hosanna!” הוֹשִׁיעָה נָּא (hosiah na)
    • “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
• Jesus enters temple, looks around, and leaves (late hour)

The Fig Tree (Part 1)

• Jesus sees fig tree with leaves
• Finds no fruit
• Says: “May no one ever eat fruit from you again”

Cleansing the Temple

• Jesus enters temple and drives out buyers and sellers
  • Overturns tables
• Says:
  • “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations”
  • “You have made it a den of robbers”
• Leaders seek to destroy Him
• Crowd is astonished at His teaching

The Fig Tree (Part 2)

• Next day fig tree withered from roots
• Peter notices
• Jesus teaches have faith in God
  • “Whoever says to this mountain… and does not doubt…”
  • Believe and it will be done
• Also forgive when you pray so your Father forgives you

Authority of Jesus Questioned

• Chief priests, scribes, elders question: “By what authority do You do these things?”
• Jesus responds:
  • asks about John’s baptism- from heaven or man?
• They refuse to answer
• Jesus: “Neither will I tell you…”

Application

Jesus shows his disciples that true greatness is not about status but about humility, serving others, and trusting Him. Just like the disciples, we can struggle to fully understand, but God calls us to put our faith in Him. “I believe; help my unbelief”