θαυμαζόντων. The power of the last miracle had rekindled some of their Messianic enthusiasm. Jesus had now reached the northern limits of Palestine, and—apparently through bypaths, and with the utmost secrecy—was retracing His steps, perhaps along the western bank of the Jordan, to Galilee, Mat 17:22; Mar 9:30.
εἶπεν. The imperfects in Mar 9:31 shew that these warnings of His approaching betrayal, death, and resurrection now formed a constant topic of His teaching.