Mark 9 and 10 Class Comments

1. 9:2-13 After the Transfiguration, why did Peter make the suggestion he made? What may have been one of the reasons they kept quiet about His resurrection? Comments: Because he didn’t know what else to say; they were all afraid. The disciples didn’t understand what was going on. Moses and Elijah represented the Hebrews’ Law and Prophets. They disappeared from the scene, and God announced that the disciples were to listen only to His Son.
2. 9:14-29 What was happening as Jesus approached the crowd? What word did the man use that might indicate his lack of faith? (Notice how Jesus repeats it back to him.) Comments: A crowd was gathered around His disciples, who were disputing with the scribes. [Because, in this account, a man interrupted with his question, the scribes never answered Jesus’ question about the nature of the dispute.] Some in the class thought the word was “can”; others thought it was “if.” Both words indicate the man’s lack of conviction that Jesus was able to heal his son. Jesus uses both “if” and “can” when He refers to the man’s faith.
3. 9:30-32 Why did Jesus not want anyone to know where He was? Comments: Because He was busy teaching His disciples about His betrayal and death.
4. 9:33-42 What are the three things Jesus mentioned that are done “in My name”? What does that mean? Comments: 1) Receiving a little child (v. 37); 2) Working a miracle (v. 39); 3) Giving a cup of water (v. 41). Various answers given in class for its meaning; 1) By My authority; 2) On my behalf; 3) For My sake; and 4) Because you belong to Me.
5. 9:43-50 Does Jesus intend for us to cut off offensive hands and feet and pluck out offensive eyes? What teaching technique was He using? How does He describe hell? Comments: Not literally. He is using hyperbole (exaggeration) to make the point. Hell is described as a fire that is never quenched, where their worm (maggot) does not die. Gahenna, translated as Hell, was a place outside the city of Jerusalem where trash was thrown and burned. In the Old Testament, Isaiah 66:24 mentions “their worm.” The class also discussed what “seasoned with fire” in verse 49 meant. We concluded that it has to do with  self-sacrifice. Leviticus 2:13 and Ezekiel 43:24 speak of offering salt with sacrifices. It was also noted that having this “salt” – a spirit of self-sacrifice – within us also creates peace among us.
6. 10:1-12 How serious is divorce and re-marriage? Comments: A one-word answer: “Very.” Divorce and re-marriage constitute adultery, which breaks one of the Ten Commandments and goes against the original design for marriage: two becoming one. Breaking this unit causes tremendous pain to everyone involved. The corresponding passage in Matthew allows for an exception of sexual immorality, but in such cases, divorce is not required.
7. 10:13-16 With what kind of attitude should we receive the kingdom of God? Comments: As a little child, when means that we receive it openly, without question. We also receive it as a gift, given to us with no obligation to give anything in return. Our service to God is a result of our gratitude for the gift.
8. 10:17-22 What did the young man assume about obtaining eternal life before he asked Jesus the question? Comments: That he must do certain things, keep certain commandments. He also assumed that he had done everything he needed to do. Note that among Jesus’ instructions to him was to take up the cross, which to the people of that day indicated a full self-sacrifice, or death.
9. 10:23-31 What did Jesus mean when he taught that those who have left their houses and families will receive a hundredfold in this life? Comments: Their Christian family will become huge. Physical possessions are much less important than what they would gain in spiritual blessings. This is also a warning against pride, against  relying on physical possessions to give us value.
10. 10:32-34 Describe the emotions of the disciples and followers as they followed Jesus into Jerusalem. To whom did He reveal the details? Comments: The disciples were amazed; the followers were afraid. (This answer varied with translations. The NKJV doesn’t distinguish  between those who were amazed and those who were afraid.) It was only to the Twelve that He revealed the details of what was going to happen.
11. 10:35-45 According to their question, what view of the kingdom did James and John appear to have? What were the cup and baptism that Jesus referred to? Comments: They pictured a throne of glory and power, which they hoped to share. The cup and baptism Jesus spoke of seems to indicate some type of persecution they would experience.  Note that in the corresponding passage in Matthew, it’s their mother who asks. Also, James and John may have been remembering Matthew 19:28, where Jesus promises the Twelve that they would sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Note Revelation 5:5-6 and its emphasis on victory through sacrifice. The power of the Lion is seen in the Lamb that was slain.
12. 10:46-52 Why would the crowd tell Bartimaeus to keep quiet? What was his response to them? Comments: A variety of reasons: Don’t bother him. It’s degrading to beg. Because the sight of beggars was common, their hearts were hardened against him. They thought he was crazy. His status was too low to deserve talking to this celebrity. He was too loud. He only wanted attention.  His response was to cry all the more.