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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Mark 9:33 - 9:37
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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mar_9:33-37
33They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?" 34But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." 36Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, 37"Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me."
Mar_9:33 "Capernaum" This town, the hometown of Peter and Andrew, became Jesus' headquarters after the unbelief of Nazareth.
▣ "when He was in the house" This was probably Peter's home (cf. Mar_1:29) or a rented house used by Jesus.
▣ "What were you discussing on the way" They were arguing, not just discussing. He had told them of His death (three times) and they wanted to know which one of them would take His place as leader (cf. Mat_18:1-18; Luk_9:46-48; Luk_22:24).
Mar_9:34 "greatest" This shows the jealousy of the other groups of disciples against the inner circle of Peter, James, and John. It may also reflect their Jewish concept of a nationalistic earthly kingdom.
Mar_9:35 "sitting down" This would have denoted an official teaching session (cf. Mar_4:1; Mar_9:35; Mat_5:1; Luk_4:20).
▣ "If anyone wants to be first" This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true from the author's perspective. Jesus did not condemn ambition, but defined it in terms of the new ethic of the Kingdom of God. Greatness is linked to service (cf. Mar_10:31; Mar_10:45; Mat_20:26; Mat_19:30; Joh_13:5), not control or power! God's Kingdom is so different from human societies.
These words are a good example of how Jesus repeated His teachings in different settings and at different times (cf. Mar_10:43-44; Mat_23:11; Luk_22:24-25).
▣ "servant" Jesus spoke Aramaic. This saying (i.e., Mar_9:35-37) may be a word play on the Aramaic word talya, which means both "child" and "servant."
Mar_9:36 "Taking a child" Mat_18:1-18, Luk_9:46-49, and here clearly show that Jesus is talking about new believers, not children.
▣ "taking him in His arms" This is another eyewitness detail of Peter. It was even possibly Peter's house and Peter's child!
Mar_9:37 "'whoever receives one child like this in My name'" "In My Name" means "in the character of Jesus." There is no magic in the repetition of certain words. The power comes from knowing Jesus and emulating His actions. Our loving response to others because we are followers of Jesus is a way to express our love for Him (cf. Mat_25:31-45).
From Act_19:13-16 we know that Jewish exorcists used Jesus' name, but with surprising results. From Mat_7:21-23 we know that it is the personal relationship with Christ that is crucial, not just the flippant or even repeated mentioning of the name.
▣ "'and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me'" Jesus characteristically affirms the exalted position of the Father. This is repeatedly recorded in John's Gospel. This submission to the Father is not one of inequality, but functions within the Trinity.
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