Mark 9:30-32 - Teaching in Galilee

Mark 9:30-32
30 From there they went out and began to go through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know about it. 31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” 32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.


Message: Teaching in Galilee

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface - After coming down the mountain, from the transfiguration, Jesus encounters his other disciples with scribes. A man with his son who is possessed with a spirit his entire life that makes him mute is here. No one can do anything for this man and Jesus remarks that he (still) has before him an unbelieving generation, for their is no sign that any healing of this boy has occurred. The man then wonders if Jesus can heal his son. Jesus speaks plainly that it isn't a question of can he do it, but will the man believe that he can do it. All things are possible to him who believes. After Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, the spirit cries out and throws him into convulsions and then comes out of the boy. Jesus remarked that this kind cannot come out but by prayer.

Jesus is beginning to reveal to the disciples his eventual mission and that is to die and rise again. Mark records in Mark 8:31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. This was after Peter had proclaimed him as the Christ. Then in Chapter 9, verse 12 Jesus remarks after the transfiguration the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt. And now in verse 31 it is remarked that Jesus is teaching His disciples The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later. 

Despite these words being spoken of now several times, the disciples did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him. It is like they didn't want to believe that this was actually going to happen.

While most of Jesus' ministry has been in Galilee, Mark records that Jesus is to go through Galilee as he ends up in Jerusalem by chapter 11. His last days are on the horizon.

Summary - Jesus continues his time in Galilee but he now has a new destination as he continues the message of the Son of Man going to die and rise again.

Promise: Jesus' words sound strange to us at times, but His revelation is our standard. Our standard is not the opinions of what He must be like. 

Prayer: Lord, you are holy. Your teachings are true. Too often I am controlled by my emotions, my thoughts, Lately this has been a big problem for me. As I interact with my wife, I have had a hardened way about me. I am struggling to make sense of it all. Help me Lord to be more inclusive. Thank you for the teaching of Your word. Help me to stand on facts rather than feelings.