What does it mean that some would see the kingdom of God come with power?

When Jesus said some standing there would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God come with power, he was pointing ahead to a near event, not to the end of the world. This seems to refer to the beginning of his kingdom after his resurrection, when the gospel would be preached with power and many people would turn to him. The transfiguration that follows gives a preview of his glory, but the full coming in power is seen in his risen life and in the spread of the good news by the Spirit.

Why was Jesus transfigured before Peter, James, and John?

Jesus had just spoken about his suffering and death, which must have been hard for the disciples to accept. On the mountain, he is transfigured so that his clothes shine brighter than anything on earth, and Moses and Elijah appear talking with him. This gives the three disciples a glimpse of his true glory and shows that the Law and the Prophets point to him. The Father’s voice, saying, “This is my beloved Son, hear him,” confirms that Jesus is the one they must listen to, even when he speaks of the cross.

What is the meaning of the father’s cry, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief?

The father of the suffering boy desperately wants Jesus to help, but he is struggling with doubt after the disciples failed. When Jesus tells him that all things are possible to the one who believes, the man honestly admits both faith and weakness: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” This shows that real faith can be mixed with fear and questions. Jesus does not turn him away for having imperfect faith. Instead, he answers this humble prayer, which encourages us to bring our shaky faith to him and ask for help to trust more.

Why could the disciples not cast out the demon from the boy?

The disciples had cast out demons before, but this time they failed. After Jesus frees the boy, they ask him privately why they could not do it. He tells them, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Their problem was not a lack of technique but a lack of deep dependence on God. Some battles, especially hard spiritual ones, require a life of real prayer and self-denial. Jesus shows that power in ministry does not rest in us, but in God, whom we must seek earnestly.

Why were the disciples arguing about who should be the greatest?

On the road, the disciples had been arguing about who among them was the greatest, likely thinking about rank and honor in what they expected of Jesus’ kingdom. When Jesus asks them about it in the house, they are ashamed and keep quiet. He then sits down, calls the twelve, and teaches that anyone who wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. By taking a child in his arms, he shows that true greatness is shown in humble service and in welcoming those who seem small and unimportant.

What does Jesus mean when he says whoever receives a child in his name receives him?

Jesus puts a child in the middle of the disciples and holds the child in his arms. He tells them that whoever receives one of such children in his name receives him, and whoever receives him receives the One who sent him. This means that how we treat the weak, the unnoticed, and simple believers matters deeply to God. Serving and welcoming those who belong to Jesus, even if they seem unimportant, is counted as welcoming Jesus himself, and even welcoming God the Father who sent him.

Why did Jesus say not to forbid the man casting out demons in his name?

John tells Jesus they tried to stop someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name because he was not following with their group. Jesus answers, “Forbid him not,” and explains that someone doing miracles in his name will not quickly speak evil of him. He adds, “He that is not against us is on our part.” This teaches that God can work through people outside our circles, as long as they truly honor Jesus. Instead of jealously guarding a group identity, Jesus wants his followers to rejoice whenever his name is truly served.

What does Jesus mean about cutting off your hand, foot, or eye if they cause you to sin?

Jesus uses very strong word pictures when he talks about a hand, foot, or eye that causes someone to sin. He says it is better to lose one of these than to be thrown with two into hell, where the fire is not quenched and their worm does not die. He is not telling people to harm themselves, but showing how serious sin is. Anything that leads us away from God is so dangerous that we should part with it rather than cling to it and end up under God’s judgment.

What does it mean that everyone will be salted with fire?

The line about everyone being salted with fire is hard and has been read in more than one way. In this passage, Jesus connects it with sacrifice and with salt that gives flavor. A common understanding is that God’s purifying work in our lives can feel like fire, yet it sets us apart for him, like sacrifices in the past were salted. Believers are to be like good salt, kept from losing their “taste” by God’s word and work in them, so that they can help preserve and bring peace among one another.

What does this passage teach about hell where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched?

Jesus speaks very plainly about hell here. He calls it a place where the fire is not quenched and “their worm dieth not.” This picture shows ongoing suffering and judgment. He uses this sober warning to stress how serious sin is, especially causing “little ones” who believe in him to stumble. The point is not to satisfy our curiosity about details, but to wake us up. It is better to lose anything in this life than to hold onto sin and face God’s final judgment without mercy.

Mark.9.1

Mark 9:1

KJV Jesus

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

The Transfiguration

1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

12 And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

The Boy with an Evil Spirit

14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

16 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

The Second Prediction of the Passion

30 And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

31 For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

32 But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.

40 For he that is not against us is on our part.

41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Temptations and Trespasses

42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Good Salt

49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.