Mark 9:35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 9:30-40

Here, I. Christ foretels his own approaching sufferings. He passed through Galilee with more expedition than usual, and would not that any man should know of it (Mark 9:30); because he had done many mighty and good works among them in vain, they shall not be invited to see them and have the benefit of them, as they have been. The time of his sufferings drew nigh, and therefore he was willing to be private awhile, and to converse only with his disciples, to prepare them for the approaching... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 9:32-35

9:32-35 So they came to Capernaum. When Jesus was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" They remained silent. for on the road they had been arguing with each other who was to be greatest. So Jesus sat down, and called the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he must be the last of all, and the servant of all." Nothing so well shows how far the disciples were from realizing the real meaning of Jesus' Messiahship as this does. Repeatedly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:35

And he sat down ,.... As their master, as one having authority; and in order to examine into this matter, and pass judgment upon it: and called the twelve ; all the disciples, who though they might not be all engaged in this dispute, nor equally criminal, yet were all, possessed of the same notion; and therefore Christ calls them all unto him, what he had to say, being pertinent unto them all: and saith unto them, if any man desire to be first ; to have the pre-eminence, and be in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:33-37

True greatness. Our Lord's ministry was not only to the people generally, but to his own disciples and friends; and even to these he had occasion sometimes to address language, not only of instruction, but of rebuke and expostulation. On the occasion here referred to, a serious fault was displayed among the chosen circle, which called for the Lord's interference and reprimand. At the same time the great Teacher pointed out to the erring a more excellent way. Ambition was the fault, and its... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:33-37

Who shall be greatest? The selection of Peter, James, and John for exceptional association with Christ; the primacy of Peter suggested by the words of their Master on a certain occasion; and the spirit of the sons of Zebedee, shown in the request made by their mother, a little later, on their behalf ( Mark 10:35-41 ), were circumstances that soon attracted the attention of the others, and gave rise to discussion as to relative superiority. In dealing with this unseemly dispute, our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:33-37

Honour. By slow steps Jesus had brought the chosen band of the disciples onward in that course of instruction which prepared them to ascend "the holy mount" and behold "his glory ," "glory as of the only begotten from the Father." He had also begun to show unto them that "he must suffer many things," and "be killed," making them "exceeding sorry." And he had spoken to them of the time "when the Son of man should have risen again from the dead;" but "what the rising again from the dead... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:33-37

The symbolic child. I. THE EXAMPLE OF CHILDREN . They are humble and trustful in the presence of superior wisdom. Man not always so, but ought always to be so. II. THE SECRET OF POWER LIES IN SERVICE . Command others by being useful to them. Rise in a community by working your way through all the grades of service, from the lowest to the highest. III. TO STOOP IN LOVE IS TO RISE IN HONOUR . Jesus puts his arms around the little ones and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:33-37

Parallel passages: Matthew 18:1-5 ; Luke 9:46-48 . The lesson of humility. The exquisite lesson of humility taught in the remainder of this section may be appropriately taken up in connection with the section of next chapter, where the lovely comparison of childhood is again employed.—J.J.G. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:35

And he sat down, and called the twelve . He sat down, with the authority of the great Teacher, to inculcate solemnly a fundamental principle of the Christian life. If any man would be first he shall be last of all, and minister of all . These words are capable of two interpretations. They might be regarded as analogous to our Lord's words elsewhere, "He that exalteth himself shall be abased;" as though they indicated the penalty which attaches to unworthy ambition. But it is surely far... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 9:33-37

See the notes at Matthew 18:1-5. read more

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