Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:1-8 – The Transfiguration

CHAPTER NINE:
TRANSFIGURATION, FAITH, GREATNESS,
AND STUMBLING

[“Glory and Greatness”]
Key word: Humility

Mark 9:1-8 – The Transfiguration

|| Matthew 17:1-8;[1] Luke 9:28-36

MK9:1 Now Jesus said to them: “I tell you this truth: Some of you standing here will not experience death[2] until you have seen God’s Kingdom already ruling.”[3] MK9:2 Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John[4] with him and lead them up into a lofty mountain where they were alone. Then he was transfigured[5] before them, MK9:3 and his garments became dazzling white like snow, whiter than any human clothes cleaner could ever make them. MK9:4 Then they saw Elijah appear with Moses[6] and they were talking with Jesus. MK9:5 Now Peter responded and asked Jesus: “Rabbi, it is outstanding we are all here together! Let us put up three tents – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!” MK9:6 For Peter had no idea what to say for they were all so frightened. MK9:7 Then a cloud came and overshadowed them. And a Voice came from the cloud, saying: “This is my beloved Son![7] Listen to him!”[8] MK9:8 And then suddenly when they looked around they saw no one but Jesus alone with them.

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[1] Matthew 17:1-8: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Some of you standing here will not experience death: That is, will still be alive when.

[3] Until you have seen God’s Kingdom already ruling: These disciples would still be living when Christ begins his rule in fulfillment to Psalm 2:6, Psalm 110:1, and Daniel 7:13. Christ begins his rule upon his ascension to heaven in the year 33 AD. [1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:19-22] Compare notes on Matthew 16:28 and Acts 13:33.

[4] Peter, James and John: It is the taking of these three that may later bring up the issue of “who is the greatest.” See notes below.

[5] Transfigured: Or, changed. The Greek is METAMORPHOTHE.

[6] Elijah appear with Moses: Many see these two as representing the Prophets and the Law respectively and their fulfillment in Christ. Others carry it further. See notes on Revelation 11:4-6.

[7] Son: That is, the created and begotten son of Proverbs 8:22-30. Elijah and Moses are not living beings here, for in Matthew it is called a “vision.”

[8] Listen to him: Or, hear, obey. This is the real purpose behind the whole transfiguration vision – to confirm to these three apostles the Sonship of Christ and God’s approval of him. The language echoes Psalm 2:6.

 

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Preceding

Matthew 17 Calvin’s view on the days of spectatorship

Matthew 17:1-9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Transfiguration Vision

Matthew 24:29-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Answer Part Two – Sign 2: The Parousia. A Sign after the Great Oppression

Mark 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Review Questions on Chapter Eight

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Additional reading

1. Who do you say Jesus is
2. Today’s thought “Do you believe this?” (April 18)
3. Not About The Name Of The Godhead Of Jesus
4. The Dead — Where Are They? 15 Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration
5. How should we worship God? #13 Transfiguration
6. Today’s thought “Rise and have no fear” (July 16)

 

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Related

1. Following Jesus Up And Down The Mountain (Mark 9:2-9)
2. The Mountaintop
3. What A Day
4. Transfiguration
5. The Transfiguration
6. Transfiguration and disfiguration
7. The Transfiguration of Christ
8. The Transfiguration of the Lord
9. The Transfiguration of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
10. Mark 9: 2 – 13 The transfiguration
11. Why did the Transfiguration happen?
12. The Transfiguration of Jesus
13. The meaning and importance of the transfiguration
14. Luke 9- The Transfiguration
15. View from the Other Side
16. Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus
17. Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
18. Aug 6, 2021: Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (B)
19. Friday, August 6, 2021
20. After the clouds the sunshine
21. Listen Up!
22. “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ~God
23. “Listen to Him”
24. Listen to Him
25. Trust What He Says
26. Transformation
27. The Great and Quiet Transformation
28. The Church, faith is one continuous, joyful repetition of this “it is good for us to be here”, is a plea for the everlasting light, a thirst for this illumination and transfiguration. Fr. Alexander Schmemann
29. The Glory of the Transfiguration
30. A Better View of Jesus
31. A Glimpse of His Glory
32. Christ’s Transfiguration and Our Transfiguration | Daily Office Devotional 2021/8/5
33. The Loving Gaze of God
34. Let Us Retire from the World and Turn to the Creator
35. That’s Supernatural!
36. Why Does Jesus Give More To Seers Than To Other Laity?

Mark 8:27-29 Simon Peter said Jesus is the Messiah,the Son of The Living God!

“27  Now Jesus left with his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. And along the way he asked his disciples: “Who are people saying I am?” 28 They answered: “John the Baptist.” But others said, “Elijah.” Still others: “One of the prophets.” 29 Then Jesus asked them: “But, who do you say I am?” And Peter responded: “You are the Christ!”” (Mr 8:27-29 MHM)

“Simon Peter responded, “You are the Messiah, the Son of The Living God!”” (Mt 16:16 MHM)

Jesus Christ when he was already for some time travelling and preaching was interested in what the world was thinking of him.
He recognised the world’s ability to form an idea of him and was curious to know what his own disciples thought. For some time now he had laboured to impart to the world a correct idea of him. He was conscious that in several places he was the talk of the town. Many people had formed an idea of him.

After he had done again some miracles, he sought information of the result of his own teaching and the world’s learning from the most reliable source.

Christ was wishful that the right ideas of himself should exist in the world, and wanted to see if his pupils had received enough information to come to see who he really was.

Before he asked who they thought he was, he had spoken about false teachings and how false dogmas can mislead the whole world. He had been qualifying his followers to teach the world and wanted to check if they would come to tell the world what his position was and what he came to do in this world.

“Whom say you” was addressed to all the apostles, but Peter usually was the spokesman and he made the confession of faith on behalf of the others. Peter gave as answer that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, that is, The Christened (Anointed) One. Likely the original in Hebrew would have been Ma·shi’ach.

Nowhere does Peter suspect that Jesus was God Himself. The words from God, Jesus and Jesus’ disciples are written down, so people will believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. That way it will be possible for those who believe that, shall be able to receive a real and eternal life in the way Jesus personally revealed it.

“However, these have been written so that all of you [readers] may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of The God. And, because of believing, you [readers] may have Life because of his name.” (Joh 20:31 MHM)

Peter writes later about a further confirmation of the Sonship of Christ, remarking that Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father was declared by the voice of Majestic Glory as God’s Son, marked by God’s love.

“For he had received from God the Father honor and glory when a Voice occurred to him by the Magnificent Glory: “This is My Son, My Beloved, of whom I have thought well.”” (2Pe 1:17 MHM)

Jesus never claimed his equality with Jehovah God. Always did he tell people he could not do all the things he did without the power and authority given by his heavenly Father, the God of Israel, Who is greater than him. Even when Jesus would leave the earth, he would go to a place where he would not receive the same ‘grade’ as the Highest in heaven, but would come to sit next to Him to be His high priest.

“You [apostles] heard that I said to you, ‘I am departing and I am returning to you [apostles].’ If you loved me you would certainly rejoice, because I am going toward the Father, because the Father is greater than me.” (Joh 14:28 MHM)

“Therefore, Jesus answered them: “I tell you this truth: The Son is unable to do anything from himself unless he sees something the Father is doing. For whatever that One may do, it is possible the Son also may do likewise.” (Joh 5:19 MHM)

“Jesus said to the priest, “You said it. Yet I tell all of you: In the future all of you will see the Son of Humankind sitting on the right-hand of the Power and returning upon the clouds of the sky.”” (Mt 26:64 MHM)

“Now Jesus answered: “I am! And all of you will see the Son of Humankind sitting at the right hand of Power and coming in the clouds of heaven.”” (Mr 14:62 MHM)

“So after the Lord Jesus had spoken to the apostles, he was received up into the sky and then sat down at the right hand of the God.” (Mr 16:19 MHM)

Jesus wanted to know what his own disciples thought of him. Also for us we should make up our mind and have some good idea who Jesus is. Whatever opinions others may have of the Lord Jesus, you must have a personal appreciation of him. YOu yourself have to decide if you ware willing to go by the majority of the world who have made Jesus into their god, or if you want to go by the words of Jesus himself and of his heavenly Father Who declared on several occasions that Jesus is His son.

“Look! a Voice out of the Sky, saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.”” (Mt 3:17 MHM)

“And a Voice came from the cloud, saying: “This is my Son, the Chosen One–listen to him!”” (Lu 9:35 MHM)

It was the Most High God Who asked to look well at His handpicked servant, whom He loves so much. Like the apsotles took delight in him we should also take such delight in him who is authorised by God Almighty. It is namely the Elohim Hashem Who has placed His Spirit on him, so that he’ll decree justice to the nations.

““Look! My servant-boy whom I chose, My beloved in whom My soul delights! Upon him I will place My Pneuma. He will announce justice to the nations.” (Mt 12:18 MHM)

The apostles could witness that Jesus resplendent with light from God the Father was declared as His Son, marked by God’s love. (2Pe 1:17)

We should have the same faith as the apostle Peter and like the other chosen twelve we should continue in their footsteps telling the world who Jesus really is.

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Preceding

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:1-9 – 4000 Fed

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:10-13 – Pharisees Seek Sign

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:14-21 – Warning About Doctrinal Leaven

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:22-26 – A Blind Man in Bethsaida

Mark 8 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 8:27-33 – Death Foretold in Caesarea

Death of Christ and Silent or Black Saturday #2 A son of God and king who died

The Climax of Matthew’s story

Matthew 21:10-11 Who Is This? – a Question still posed today #1

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Additional reading

1. Who do you say Jesus is
2. Concerning Christ #1 A god or the God, a son of man and son of God
3. Jahushua, Joshua, Jeshua or Jesus an Immanuel or God with us an incarnated God or a human being?
4. For Getting to know Jesus
5. Concerning Christ #2 Divine source, connection and divine human being
6. Jesus Christ the Messiah
7. Jesus son of God
8. Jesus son of God or God the son
9. Jesus begotten Son of God #10 Coming down spirit or flesh seed of Eve
10. Jesus begotten Son of God #14 Beloved Preminent Son and Mediator originating in Mary
11. Reasons that Jesus is Not God
12. The sent one from God
13. The son of man given authority by God
14. Memorizing wonderfully 42 Equality with God & doing nothing of himself
15. Memorizing wonderfully 70: Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God
16. For those who believe Jesus is God
17. When you believe Jesus is God: who do you think is the mediator? #2 Firstborn from the dead our advocate
18. The habitual misreading of John 1 and the ‘Word being God’ #2
19. A living Word giving confidence
20. Blindness in the Christian world
21. Deciphering Truth in Word and Concept – That we might see
22. Gospel of Thomas and Nature of Jesus
23. Do you believe in One God
24. That everyone may honour the Son and sent one from God
25. Believing what Jesus says
26. God’s Salvation
27. Glory of only One God Who gives His Word

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:35-39 – Private Prayers and More Preaching

Mark 1:35-39 – Private Prayers and More Preaching

|| Luke 4:42-44

MK1:35 Now early in the morning while it was still dark Jesus rose early, and leaving the house he went away to a lonely place and there continued in prayer.[1] MK1:36 And Simon and the others searched everywhere for him.[2] MK1:37 When they found Jesus they said: “Every one is looking for you.” MK1:38 Jesus told them: “Let us go elsewhere into the nearby country villages that I may also preach there, because for this [reason] I have come forth.”[3] MK1:39 And he went through all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out the demons.

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[1] A solitary place and there prayed: Several times Mark describes Jesus as a person who enjoyed his privacy. [Luke 4:42] Men who often go alone into the mountains or deserts are sometimes supposed by others as eccentric or abnormal.

[2] Searched everywhere for Him: The Nazarene has isolated himself well. He wants to be alone.

[3] God: Jesus was not God. He came from God. A possible allusion to his pre-existence.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:3-6 – John Preaches Baptism of Repentance

Mark 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:12-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom Has Drawn Near

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:16-21 – Becoming Fishers of Men

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:22-28 – Teaching in a Synagogue

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:29-31 – Peter’s Mother-in-law Healed

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:32-34 – A Variety of Sicknesses Cured

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:29-31 – Peter’s Mother-in-law Healed

Mark 1:29-31 – Peter’s Mother-in-law Healed

|| Matthew 8:14, 15[1]

MK1:29 Then at once after leaving the synagogue they left with James and John to the house of Simon and Andrew. MK1:30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill in bed with a fever, and so without delay they told Jesus about her. MK1:31 So he went to her, and taking hold of her hand he raised her to her feet. Her fever left her and she began to serve them.

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[1] Matthew 8:14, 15: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:3-6 – John Preaches Baptism of Repentance

Mark 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:12-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom Has Drawn Near

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:16-21 – Becoming Fishers of Men

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:22-28 – Teaching in a Synagogue

Matthew 8:14-17 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Jesus Heals Peter’s Mother-in-law

Mark – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Introduction to Mark

Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

Introduction to Mark

The Second Gospel was written by Mark, the kinsman of Barnabas, and the companion of Paul in his first missionary journey. When and where it was written is uncertain. Of its author the following facts are gathered from the New Testament: He is first named in Acts 12:12. His mother’s name was Mary, and we learn from Colossians 4:10, that she was a sister of Barnabas. She dwelt in Jerusalem, and this city was probably Mark’s early home. He was converted by Peter (1 Peter 5:13), it has been supposed, at the great ingathering on the day of Pentecost. He became a minister (Acts 12:25), attended Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey did not prove satisfactory to Paul (Acts 15:38), and as Barnabas insisted on taking him, he and Paul parted company on the second missionary journey.

That Paul and Mark were afterwards intimate is shown by the subsequent history. We find him by Paul’s side during his first imprisonment at Rome, A. D. 61-63; and he is acknowledged by him as one of his few fellow-laborers who had been a “comfort” to him during the weary hours of his imprisonment (Colossians 4:10, 11; Philemon 24). We next have traces of him in 1 Peter 5:13. “The church that is in Babylon … saluteth you, and so doth Marcus, my son”. From this we infer that he joined the spiritual father, the friend of his mother, at Babylon, then and for some hundred years afterwards returned one of the chief seats of Jewish culture. From Babylon he would seem to have returned to Asia Minor; for during his second imprisonment, A. D. 68, Paul, writing to Timothy, charges him to bring Mark with him to Rome, on the ground that he was “profitable unto him for the ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11).

From this point we gain no further information from the New Testament respecting the Evangelist. It is most probable, however, that he did join the Apostle at Rome, whither also Peter would seem to have proceeded, and suffered martyrdom along with Paul. After the death of these two great pillars of the Church, ecclesiastical tradition affirms that Mark visited Egypt, founded the Church of Alexandria, and died by martyrdom. This tradition is, however, very uncertain. [B. W. Johnson The People’s New Testament (1891)]

Notes about this Version and Commentary

This text of the Gospel of Mark is a new version, the 21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures [NCMM], as an additional part of Nazarene Commentary 2000©. This rendering by Mark Heber Miller may be considered a literal version with limited paraphrase.

The words of Jesus are in red. Quotations and allusions from the Old Testament are in italicized blue with quotations within quote marks. In both the quotations and the allusions the source is given in brackets. When these quotations and allusions are part of the words of Jesus, they appear in purple.

Greek words of particular interest are in CAPS and accompanied by Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible code numbers. Cross-references have been checked and added when of special note. Each chapter and paragraph has a topical subject heading and each chapter ends with review questions for congregational or personal studies. Key phrases are compared throughout to other literal and paraphrased versions. Underlined words are sources for research elsewhere in Nazarene Commentary 2000©. Any verse may be located by entering MK1:1, etc., in the Find window, and chapters by entering CHAPTER ONE: etc.

Since Mark often parallels Matthew when Nazarene Commentary 2000© covers the same material, the symbol || will indicate to go to the footnote commentary in Matthew. For more information see similar notes on Luke and John.

Because Mark is so vivid and moves swiftly it is an excellent place to begin reading to children.

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Preceding

Matthew 28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Risen Christ appears #6 Matthew 28:16-19 – The King’s Commission

Next:

Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News