TEXT — Mark 9: 30–37 — Second Prediction of Passion
Second Prediction of Passion
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.
Prestige and Rank
33 And they came to Caper’na–um; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest.
True Greatness
35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 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.”
EXPLANATION
Introduction
This is the second and shortest of three predictions of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. After the announcement, Jesus corrects an attitude of the disciples.
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”
“They went on from there” — He had been in the region of Caesarea Philippi, the territory of Herod Philip, and then, with three disciples had gone up the Mount of Transfiguration. On returning to the plains he cured an epileptic demoniac and that completed his public ministry in Galilee.
“and passed through Galilee” — He performed no public ministry in Galilee but continued “on the way” to Judea and ultimately Jerusalem.
“And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples” — Jesus wanted a certain seclusion for his instruction to his disciples. The content of his instruction was critical. At the beginning of the first passion prediction Mark said that Jesus “began to teach his disciples” (Mk. 8: 31). It was very important that the disciples understood in advance what he had to say about his passion, death and resurrection. They did not understand the first prediction. They will not understand this second instruction (9: 31). There will be a third which they will also not understand (Mk. 10: 32–40).
“and saying to them, ‘The Son of man’” — Here is a repeat of last week’s entry on this title: This title for Jesus occurs 86 times in the New Testament and is used only by Jesus about himself. (i) It describes his life and activity on earth (Mk. 2: 10, 28; 10: 45); (ii) it describes his death and resurrection (Mk. 8: 31; 9: 31; 10: 33; 9: 9; 10: 45; 14: 21); (iii) it describes his function in the ‘end times’ as judge of glory (Mk. 8: 38; 13: 26; 14: 62).
“‘will be delivered into the hands of men’” — This refers to God’s design. By announcing it Jesus declares that he has accepted his Father’s will.
The expression “will be delivered” is frequent when speaking of the Passion (Mk. 10: 33; 13: 9; 11: 12; 14: 10, 11, 18, 21, 41; 15: 1, 10, 15).
“‘and they will kill him’” — No passion prediction refers to crucifixion as the mode of death.
“and when he is killed, after three days he will rise” — While the disciples had some understanding of what Jesus meant by dying, they completely failed to understand rising from the dead.
32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.”
“But they did not understand the saying” — After the first passion prediction, Jesus was extremely clear in correcting Peter. He has now repeated his instruction and so there should have been no doubt in their minds as to what he meant. They had so formed their minds as to what they wanted from Jesus the Messiah King that they did not want to know anything else.
“and they were afraid to ask him” — The disciples may have suspected that trouble loomed in Jerusalem and there could be a possibility that they might be involved. They did not want to know and that maybe is why they “were afraid to ask him” for clarification.
33 And they came to Caper’na–um; and when he was in the house” he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest.
“And they came to Caper’na–um” — Capernaum had been Jesus’ headquarters for his Galilean ministry (Mk. 1: 21; 2: 1).
“and when he was in the house” —The house most probably belonged to Peter (Mk. 1: 29–30). However, it may have been Jesus’ own house (Mk. 2: 1, 15). When Jesus had a special teaching to deliver to the Twelve he took them into “the house” (Mk. 1: 29; 2: 1; 7: 17; 9: 28, 33; 10: 10).
“he asked them, ‘What were you discussing?’” — The Greek word is stronger than “discussing” and really means ‘heatedly arguing’.
Jesus had the power of knowing people’s thoughts.
“on the way” — This expression refers to the journey to Jerusalem that had already commenced. In light of the fact that it was a ‘journey’ of instruction in discipleship, it can refer to “the way of being a disciple”.
“But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest” — They were silent because of their embarrassment. It is clear that they had no proper concept of what was involved in discipleship.
35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 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.”
“And he sat down” — Sitting is the posture of a Jewish rabbi or teacher who is to deliver a lecture (Mk. 4: 1; 13: 3).
“and called the twelve” — This is to be an instruction for the Twelve, the leaders of all the disciples (Mk. 3: 13–19). The fact that it was given to only the Twelve indicates that it was of special importance. The instruction applies to the whole Church.
“and he said to them, ‘If anyone would–be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” — The Twelve, seeking their own honour and glory “on the way”, had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. Jesus now gives an instruction on real greatness: the “first”, the greatest, is he who is “‘last of all and servant of all’”, who regards himself and acts as being little, unimportant and servant of all. The lesson for the Twelve is that leadership is expressed not in rank or status but in service. This will be repeated in Mk. 10: 43–44. Service must be the service of love.
Aramaic was the spoken language of the Holy Land at the time. The same Aramaic word may be translated as “servant” or “child”. Both words appear side by side “servant” in verse 35 and “child” in v.36, obviously not a coincidence.
“And he took a child” — This instruction was held “in the house”. No doubt the child belonged to that house, probably a relative of Peter.
Children had no status or social position in the culture of the time and so the child represents all persons who have no status or legal rights.
“and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms” — Jesus shows that by his embrace he accepts the child with respect (Mk. 10: 13–16).
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me” — Jesus regards the person receiving such a child on behalf of Jesus as welcoming Jesus himself. The child that is received on behalf of Jesus is Jesus’ representative. He may appear to be ‘a nobody’ but he is all important to Jesus.
“and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” —Jesus adds that whoever receives Jesus receives his Father who sent him.
APPLICATION
As usual, the first question we pose after reading a Bible passage is ‘what does this tell us about Jesus?’ Today’s answer is that Jesus is the “Son of man”. As the Explanation stated, in the New Testament the title “Son of man”, which is a messianic title, tells us three things about Jesus: it describes his life and ministry (he eats and drinks; has no place to lay his head; he can forgive sins and is Lord of the sabbath, etc.); his death and resurrection (it is as Son of man that Jesus suffers and dies) and his function as judge at the end times. It is Jesus favourite and exclusive title for himself; no other person uses it. Because of the purely material understanding of the title “Messiah” (he was thought of as a political king), Jesus could not publicly associate this title with himself. Had he done so the people would have tried to make him their king and his mission as Saviour would have been thwarted. He gave strict instructions that people who did believe that he was the Messiah should not proclaim this. That is why he preferred to use the title “Son of man”.
Secondly, the passage describes Jesus in his role of servant: he will suffer, die and rise again on behalf of others (their servant for their salvation). At the time, servants were regarded as non–persons, without status and rights. “Servant” and “slave” translated the same Greek word. Jesus made a statement (v. 35), “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”. Jesus regarded himself as “last of all and servant of all”. He saw himself as having no personal rights, not even to life. This he would give up for everyone else. He looked upon himself as the servant of the whole human race. “He came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10: 45)
In contrast to Jesus the disciples did not regard themselves as servants nor did they ever want to be. They were most anxious to have the highest honours and positions in the coming Kingdom.
To correct their thinking Jesus used a live visual–aid, a child. Another Greek word for “servant” may also be translated as “child”. He showed by embracing the child that he accepted it as an object of love. He explained that anyone accepting a child/servant on his behalf would be accepting not only the child but Jesus himself. It is not explicitly stated but it is implied that anyone treating a child/servant badly would be treating Jesus badly. With the child/servant we may also include the poor, the vulnerable and all others who have no rights or voice. Jesus identifies with all of these; he is present in each one. His Father identifies with each also.
In a prophecy in Isaiah about the passion, the same word is used to describe “the suffering servant” (Is. 53: 2). Receiving a child/servant is to receive Christ the suffering servant. It is to identify with the message of the cross. Christ sacrificed himself for all and all should be treated as equals. And all should accept the message of the cross and sacrifice themselves for all others.
This is what discipleship must mean: following Jesus to the cross on Calvary and sacrificing oneself for others. Not many will be asked to give themselves in death but all are invited to pour out their lives in service for all.
Commentary on the 25th Sunday of the year (B) 20th September 2015
TEXT — Mark 9: 30–37 — Second Prediction of Passion
Second Prediction of Passion
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.
Prestige and Rank
33 And they came to Caper’na–um; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest.
True Greatness
35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 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.”
EXPLANATION
Introduction
This is the second and shortest of three predictions of Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. After the announcement, Jesus corrects an attitude of the disciples.
30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. And he would not have any one know it; 31 for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”
“They went on from there” — He had been in the region of Caesarea Philippi, the territory of Herod Philip, and then, with three disciples had gone up the Mount of Transfiguration. On returning to the plains he cured an epileptic demoniac and that completed his public ministry in Galilee.
“and passed through Galilee” — He performed no public ministry in Galilee but continued “on the way” to Judea and ultimately Jerusalem.
“And he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples” — Jesus wanted a certain seclusion for his instruction to his disciples. The content of his instruction was critical. At the beginning of the first passion prediction Mark said that Jesus “began to teach his disciples” (Mk. 8: 31). It was very important that the disciples understood in advance what he had to say about his passion, death and resurrection. They did not understand the first prediction. They will not understand this second instruction (9: 31). There will be a third which they will also not understand (Mk. 10: 32–40).
“and saying to them, ‘The Son of man’” — Here is a repeat of last week’s entry on this title: This title for Jesus occurs 86 times in the New Testament and is used only by Jesus about himself. (i) It describes his life and activity on earth (Mk. 2: 10, 28; 10: 45); (ii) it describes his death and resurrection (Mk. 8: 31; 9: 31; 10: 33; 9: 9; 10: 45; 14: 21); (iii) it describes his function in the ‘end times’ as judge of glory (Mk. 8: 38; 13: 26; 14: 62).
“‘will be delivered into the hands of men’” — This refers to God’s design. By announcing it Jesus declares that he has accepted his Father’s will.
The expression “will be delivered” is frequent when speaking of the Passion (Mk. 10: 33; 13: 9; 11: 12; 14: 10, 11, 18, 21, 41; 15: 1, 10, 15).
“‘and they will kill him’” — No passion prediction refers to crucifixion as the mode of death.
“and when he is killed, after three days he will rise” — While the disciples had some understanding of what Jesus meant by dying, they completely failed to understand rising from the dead.
32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.”
“But they did not understand the saying” — After the first passion prediction, Jesus was extremely clear in correcting Peter. He has now repeated his instruction and so there should have been no doubt in their minds as to what he meant. They had so formed their minds as to what they wanted from Jesus the Messiah King that they did not want to know anything else.
“and they were afraid to ask him” — The disciples may have suspected that trouble loomed in Jerusalem and there could be a possibility that they might be involved. They did not want to know and that maybe is why they “were afraid to ask him” for clarification.
33 And they came to Caper’na–um; and when he was in the house” he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest.
“And they came to Caper’na–um” — Capernaum had been Jesus’ headquarters for his Galilean ministry (Mk. 1: 21; 2: 1).
“and when he was in the house” —The house most probably belonged to Peter (Mk. 1: 29–30). However, it may have been Jesus’ own house (Mk. 2: 1, 15). When Jesus had a special teaching to deliver to the Twelve he took them into “the house” (Mk. 1: 29; 2: 1; 7: 17; 9: 28, 33; 10: 10).
“he asked them, ‘What were you discussing?’” — The Greek word is stronger than “discussing” and really means ‘heatedly arguing’.
Jesus had the power of knowing people’s thoughts.
“on the way” — This expression refers to the journey to Jerusalem that had already commenced. In light of the fact that it was a ‘journey’ of instruction in discipleship, it can refer to “the way of being a disciple”.
“But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest” — They were silent because of their embarrassment. It is clear that they had no proper concept of what was involved in discipleship.
35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 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.”
“And he sat down” — Sitting is the posture of a Jewish rabbi or teacher who is to deliver a lecture (Mk. 4: 1; 13: 3).
“and called the twelve” — This is to be an instruction for the Twelve, the leaders of all the disciples (Mk. 3: 13–19). The fact that it was given to only the Twelve indicates that it was of special importance. The instruction applies to the whole Church.
“and he said to them, ‘If anyone would–be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’” — The Twelve, seeking their own honour and glory “on the way”, had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. Jesus now gives an instruction on real greatness: the “first”, the greatest, is he who is “‘last of all and servant of all’”, who regards himself and acts as being little, unimportant and servant of all. The lesson for the Twelve is that leadership is expressed not in rank or status but in service. This will be repeated in Mk. 10: 43–44. Service must be the service of love.
Aramaic was the spoken language of the Holy Land at the time. The same Aramaic word may be translated as “servant” or “child”. Both words appear side by side “servant” in verse 35 and “child” in v.36, obviously not a coincidence.
“And he took a child” — This instruction was held “in the house”. No doubt the child belonged to that house, probably a relative of Peter.
Children had no status or social position in the culture of the time and so the child represents all persons who have no status or legal rights.
“and put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms” — Jesus shows that by his embrace he accepts the child with respect (Mk. 10: 13–16).
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me” — Jesus regards the person receiving such a child on behalf of Jesus as welcoming Jesus himself. The child that is received on behalf of Jesus is Jesus’ representative. He may appear to be ‘a nobody’ but he is all important to Jesus.
“and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” —Jesus adds that whoever receives Jesus receives his Father who sent him.
APPLICATION
As usual, the first question we pose after reading a Bible passage is ‘what does this tell us about Jesus?’ Today’s answer is that Jesus is the “Son of man”. As the Explanation stated, in the New Testament the title “Son of man”, which is a messianic title, tells us three things about Jesus: it describes his life and ministry (he eats and drinks; has no place to lay his head; he can forgive sins and is Lord of the sabbath, etc.); his death and resurrection (it is as Son of man that Jesus suffers and dies) and his function as judge at the end times. It is Jesus favourite and exclusive title for himself; no other person uses it. Because of the purely material understanding of the title “Messiah” (he was thought of as a political king), Jesus could not publicly associate this title with himself. Had he done so the people would have tried to make him their king and his mission as Saviour would have been thwarted. He gave strict instructions that people who did believe that he was the Messiah should not proclaim this. That is why he preferred to use the title “Son of man”.
Secondly, the passage describes Jesus in his role of servant: he will suffer, die and rise again on behalf of others (their servant for their salvation). At the time, servants were regarded as non–persons, without status and rights. “Servant” and “slave” translated the same Greek word. Jesus made a statement (v. 35), “If any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”. Jesus regarded himself as “last of all and servant of all”. He saw himself as having no personal rights, not even to life. This he would give up for everyone else. He looked upon himself as the servant of the whole human race. “He came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk. 10: 45)
In contrast to Jesus the disciples did not regard themselves as servants nor did they ever want to be. They were most anxious to have the highest honours and positions in the coming Kingdom.
To correct their thinking Jesus used a live visual–aid, a child. Another Greek word for “servant” may also be translated as “child”. He showed by embracing the child that he accepted it as an object of love. He explained that anyone accepting a child/servant on his behalf would be accepting not only the child but Jesus himself. It is not explicitly stated but it is implied that anyone treating a child/servant badly would be treating Jesus badly. With the child/servant we may also include the poor, the vulnerable and all others who have no rights or voice. Jesus identifies with all of these; he is present in each one. His Father identifies with each also.
In a prophecy in Isaiah about the passion, the same word is used to describe “the suffering servant” (Is. 53: 2). Receiving a child/servant is to receive Christ the suffering servant. It is to identify with the message of the cross. Christ sacrificed himself for all and all should be treated as equals. And all should accept the message of the cross and sacrifice themselves for all others.
This is what discipleship must mean: following Jesus to the cross on Calvary and sacrificing oneself for others. Not many will be asked to give themselves in death but all are invited to pour out their lives in service for all.