{"id":2836,"date":"2015-09-18T16:49:41","date_gmt":"2015-09-18T16:49:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/?p=2836"},"modified":"2015-09-18T16:55:03","modified_gmt":"2015-09-18T16:55:03","slug":"commentary-on-the-25th-sunday-of-the-year-b-20th-september-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/commentary-on-the-25th-sunday-of-the-year-b-20th-september-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary on the 25th Sunday of the year (B) 20th September 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

TEXT \u2014 Mark 9: 30\u201337 \u2014 Second Prediction of Passion<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Second Prediction of Passion<\/strong><\/p>\n

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, \u201cThe 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.\u201d <\/em>32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.<\/p>\n

Prestige and Rank<\/strong><\/p>\n

33 And they came to Caper\u2019na\u2013um; and when he was in the house he asked them, \u201cWhat were you discussing on the way?\u201d 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest.<\/em><\/p>\n

True Greatness<\/strong><\/p>\n

35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, \u201cIf any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.\u201d 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 \u201cWhoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

EXPLANATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is the second and shortest of three predictions of Jesus\u2019 passion, death and resurrection. After the announcement, Jesus corrects an attitude of the disciples.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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, \u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/em><\/strong>They went on from there<\/em>\u201d \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cand passed through Galilee<\/em>\u201d \u2014 He performed no public ministry in Galilee but continued \u201con the way<\/em>\u201d to Judea and ultimately Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he would not have any one know it; for he was teaching his disciples\u201d<\/em> \u2014 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 \u201cbegan to teach his disciples<\/em>\u201d (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\u201340).<\/p>\n

\u201cand saying to them, \u2018The Son of man\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Here is a repeat of last week\u2019s 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 \u2018end times\u2019 as judge of glory (Mk. 8: 38; 13: 26; 14: 62).<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018will be delivered into the hands of men\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u2014 This refers to God\u2019s design. By announcing it Jesus declares that he has accepted his Father\u2019s will.<\/p>\n

The expression \u201cwill be delivered<\/em>\u201d is frequent when speaking of the Passion (Mk. 10: 33; 13: 9; 11: 12; 14: 10, 11, 18, 21, 41; 15: 1, 10, 15).<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018and they will kill him\u2019\u201d<\/em> \u2014 No passion prediction refers to crucifixion as the mode of death.<\/p>\n

\u201cand when he is killed, after three days he will rise<\/em>\u201d \u2014 While the disciples had some understanding of what Jesus meant by dying, they completely failed to understand rising from the dead.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

32 But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to ask him.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cBut they did not understand the saying<\/em>\u201d \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cand they were afraid to ask him<\/em>\u201d \u2014 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 \u201cwere afraid to ask him<\/em>\u201d for clarification.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

33 And they came to Caper\u2019na\u2013um; and when he was in the house<\/em><\/strong>\u201d he asked them, \u201cWhat were you discussing on the way?\u201d 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they came to Caper\u2019na\u2013um<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Capernaum had been Jesus\u2019 headquarters for his Galilean ministry (Mk. 1: 21; 2: 1).<\/p>\n

\u201cand when he was in the house<\/em>\u201d \u2014The house most probably belonged to Peter (Mk. 1: 29\u201330). However, it may have been Jesus\u2019 own house (Mk. 2: 1, 15). When Jesus had a special teaching to deliver to the Twelve he took them into \u201cthe house<\/em>\u201d (Mk. 1: 29; 2: 1; 7: 17; 9: 28, 33; 10: 10).<\/p>\n

\u201che asked them, \u2018What were you discussing?<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 The Greek word is stronger than \u201cdiscussing<\/em>\u201d and really means \u2018heatedly arguing\u2019.<\/p>\n

Jesus had the power of knowing people\u2019s thoughts.<\/p>\n

\u201con the way<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This expression refers to the journey to Jerusalem that had already commenced. In light of the fact that it was a \u2018journey\u2019 of instruction in discipleship, it can refer to \u201cthe way of being a disciple\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut they were silent; for on the way they had discussed with one another who was the greatest<\/em>\u201d \u2014 They were silent because of their embarrassment. It is clear that they had no proper concept of what was involved in discipleship.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

35 And he sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, \u201cIf any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.\u201d 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 \u201cWhoever receives one such child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.\u201d <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he sat down\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Sitting is the posture of a Jewish rabbi or teacher who is to deliver a lecture (Mk. 4: 1; 13: 3).<\/p>\n

\u201cand called the twelve<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This is to be an instruction for the Twelve, the leaders of all the disciples (Mk. 3: 13\u201319). The fact that it was given to only the Twelve indicates that it was of special importance. The instruction applies to the whole Church.<\/p>\n

\u201cand he said to them, <\/em>\u2018If anyone would\u2013be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.<\/em>\u2019\u201d \u2014 The Twelve, seeking their own honour and glory \u201con the way<\/em>\u201d, had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. Jesus now gives an instruction on real greatness: the \u201cfirst<\/em>\u201d, the greatest, is he who is \u201c\u2018last of all and servant of all\u2019\u201d<\/em>, 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\u201344. Service must be the service of love.<\/p>\n

Aramaic was the spoken language of the Holy Land at the time. The same Aramaic word may be translated as \u201cservant<\/em>\u201d or \u201cchild<\/em>\u201d. Both words appear side by side \u201cservant<\/em>\u201d in verse 35 and \u201cchild<\/em>\u201d in v.36, obviously not a coincidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he took a child<\/em>\u201d \u2014 This instruction was held \u201cin the house<\/em>\u201d. No doubt the child belonged to that house, probably a relative of Peter.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cand put him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms<\/em>\u201d \u2014 Jesus shows that by his embrace he accepts the child with respect (Mk. 10: 13\u201316).<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever receives one such child in my name receives me\u201d<\/em> \u2014 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\u2019 representative. He may appear to be \u2018a nobody\u2019 but he is all important to Jesus.<\/p>\n

\u201cand whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me<\/em>\u201d \u2014Jesus adds that whoever receives Jesus receives his Father who sent him.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

APPLICATION<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n

As usual, the first question we pose after reading a Bible passage is \u2018what does this tell us about Jesus?\u2019 Today\u2019s answer is that Jesus is the \u201cSon of man<\/em>\u201d. As the Explanation stated, in the New Testament the title \u201cSon of man<\/em>\u201d, 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<\/em> 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 \u201cMessiah\u201d (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 \u201cSon of man<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

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\u2013persons, without status and rights. \u201cServant\u201d and \u201cslave\u201d translated the same Greek word. Jesus made a statement (v. 35), \u201cIf any one would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all<\/em>\u201d. Jesus regarded himself as \u201clast of all and servant of all<\/em>\u201d. 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. \u201cHe came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many<\/em>\u201d (Mk. 10: 45)<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

To correct their thinking Jesus used a live visual\u2013aid, a child. Another Greek word for \u201cservant\u201d may also be translated as \u201cchild\u201d. 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.<\/p>\n

In a prophecy in Isaiah about the passion, the same word is used to describe \u201cthe suffering servant\u201d (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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

TEXT \u2014 Mark 9: 30\u201337 \u2014 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, \u201cThe Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2837,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2836","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2836","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2836"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2836\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2840,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2836\/revisions\/2840"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2837"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2836"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2836"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stmarys-tallaght.ie\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2836"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}