Mark 9: The cloud on the mountain, the boy with the spirit, and who is greatest
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Greek. How to read a study
What happens?
Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain, where he is changed in front of them, Elijah and Moses appear, and a voice comes out of a cloud. Coming down, he is asked about Elijah, and he heals a boy whose father says the disciples could not cast out a mute spirit. Jesus again tells his disciples that the Son of Man will be handed over, killed, and rise on the third day. They argue about who is greatest, and Jesus speaks about children, about someone casting out demons in his name, and about causing little ones to stumble.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. The voice out of the cloud in verse 7 is the only gold in this chapter: 1 verse, the Father's words about his beloved Son. Jesus speaks to the same listeners as in the end of chapter 8 in verse 1, to the three in verses 9, 12 and 13, to the scribes in verse 16, to the man who answers him in verse 19, to the boy's father in verses 21 and 23, to the unclean spirit in verse 25, and to his disciples and the twelve in verses 29, 31, 33, 35, 37 and 39 to 50. Peter speaks in verse 5, the disciples in verses 11 and 28, many in the crowd in verse 26, a man from the crowd, who is the boy's father, in verses 17, 18, 21, 22 and 24, and John in verse 38. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see God’s Kingdom come with power.”
In plain English: Jesus said to them: "I tell you truly, some of those standing here will not taste death until they see God's Kingdom (or: God's rule) come with power."
The Greek word: "Kingdom" is basileia. The dictionary gives "royalty", then "rule" or "a realm". The word can mean a ruling or a realm. It is in 19 verses of Mark.
How it is translated: This Bible has "kingdom" in all 19 of them.
What changes: Read as "rule", the verse speaks of God ruling and that rule coming with power. Read as "realm", it speaks of a kingdom that comes. The text does not choose.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them.
In plain English: After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, by themselves and alone. He was changed into another form in front of them.
The Greek word: "He was changed into another form" is one Greek word, metamorphoo. The dictionary gives "to transform". It is in this verse only in Mark.
How it is translated: This Bible has "was changed into another form". Verse 3 then describes his clothes.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
In plain English: His clothes became shining, extremely white, like snow, whiter than anyone who washes cloth on earth could make them.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus.
In plain English: Elijah appeared to them together with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
In plain English: Peter answered Jesus: "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid.
In plain English: Peter did not know what to say, because they were terrified.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”God speaks
In plain English: A cloud came and overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud: "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
Good to know: The words are close to the voice in , which says "You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." There the voice speaks to Jesus. Here it says "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him." and speaks about him to the three disciples.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only.
In plain English: Suddenly they looked around and no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
In plain English: As they came down from the mountain, Jesus ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant.
In plain English: They held on to those words among themselves, and they asked each other what "rising from the dead" meant.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
In plain English: They asked him: "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised?
In plain English: Jesus answered them: "Elijah does come first and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man that he must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?
Good to know: says: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes." Mark does not name any passage in this verse or the next. Jesus says "it is written" about the Son of Man and about Elijah, and the text says no more here.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him.”
In plain English: But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written about him."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them.
In plain English: When Jesus came to the disciples, he saw a great crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him.
In plain English: Right away the whole crowd saw him and was greatly amazed, and they ran to him and greeted him.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”
In plain English: Jesus asked the scribes: "What are you arguing with them about?"
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;
In plain English: One man from the crowd answered him: "Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has a mute spirit.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”
In plain English: Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes stiff. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”
In plain English: Jesus answered him: "You unbelieving generation (or: kind of people), how long will I be with you? How long will I put up with you? Bring him to me."
Good to know: "Generation" is the same Greek word, genea, as in , and the same two readings are possible. See the note there.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.
In plain English: They brought the boy to Jesus. When the spirit saw Jesus, right away it threw the boy into a fit. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has been happening to him?” He said, “From childhood.
In plain English: Jesus asked the boy's father: "How long has this been happening to him?" The father said: "Since he was a child.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
In plain English: Many times it has thrown him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
In plain English: Jesus said to him: "If you can believe, all things are possible for the one who believes." (Or: "'If you can'? All things are possible for the one who believes.")
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
In plain English: Right away the boy's father cried out with tears: "I believe, Lord (or: sir). Help my unbelief!"
The Greek word: The father's cry begins with kyrie, from kyrios. The dictionary gives "supreme in authority" and, as a respectful title, "Master". The word can mean "Lord" or a polite "sir".
How it is translated: In the 18 verses of Mark that have this Greek word, this Bible prints "Lord" in 17. The one that does not is this verse, where this Bible leaves the word out.
What changes: Read as "Lord", the father cries out to Jesus with a title of authority. Read as "sir", he addresses him politely. The text does not choose.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”
In plain English: Jesus saw that a crowd was running together. He rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it: "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him, and never enter him again!"
The Greek words: "Unclean spirit" is pneuma akatharton. The dictionary gives "impure" for akathartos. It is in 11 verses of Mark, and this Bible prints "unclean" in all 11.
Good to know: In verse 17 the father calls the spirit "mute". In this verse Jesus calls it "mute and deaf" and speaks to it directly.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
26After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead, so much that most of them said, “He is dead.”
In plain English: The spirit cried out, threw the boy into a great fit, and came out. The boy became like a dead person, so that most of them said, "He is dead."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
27But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose.
In plain English: But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up, and he stood up.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
28When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”
In plain English: When Jesus had gone into a house, his disciples asked him privately: "Why could we not cast it out?"
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
29He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”
In plain English: Jesus said to them: "This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
30They went out from there and passed through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know it,
In plain English: They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it,
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
31for he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.”
In plain English: because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them: "The Son of Man is being handed over into the hands of men. They will kill him, and when he has been killed, on the third day he will rise again."
Good to know: says the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and "after three days" rise again. This verse says he is being handed over, will be killed, and will rise "on the third day". The text does not say more about the two wordings.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
32But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
In plain English: But they did not understand what he said, and they were afraid to ask him.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
33He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?”
In plain English: They came to Capernaum. When Jesus was in the house, he asked them: "What were you arguing about on the way?"
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
34But they were silent, for they had disputed with one another on the way about who was the greatest.
In plain English: But they were silent, because on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
35He sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
In plain English: Jesus sat down and called the twelve. He said to them: "If anyone wants to be first, he will be last of all and the servant of all."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
36He took a little child and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
In plain English: Jesus took a little child and put him in the middle of them. He took the child in his arms and said to them:
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
37“Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”
In plain English: "Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me. Whoever receives me does not receive me, but the one who sent me."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
38John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.”
In plain English: John said to him: "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name who does not follow us, and we stopped him, because he does not follow us."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
39But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me.
In plain English: Jesus said: "Do not stop him. No one who does a mighty work in my name will be able to speak evil of me quickly.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
40For whoever is not against us is on our side.
In plain English: Whoever is not against us is for us.
Good to know: The Greek words here are "against you" and "for you". This Bible prints "against us" and "on our side".
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
41For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.
In plain English: Whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ, I tell you truly, he will not lose his reward.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
42“Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.
In plain English: Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble (or: to sin), it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown into the sea.
The Greek word: "Cause to stumble" is skandalizo. The dictionary gives "to entrap, i.e. trip up", or "entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure". It is in 8 verses of Mark.
How it is translated: In those 8 verses this Bible has "stumble" in 6 and "offend" in 2.
What changes: Read as "trip up", the verse speaks of making a little one fall. Read as "lead into sin", it speaks of making a little one do wrong. The same Greek word is in verses , and .
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
43If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire,
In plain English: If your hand causes you to stumble (or: to sin), cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life crippled than to have two hands and go into Gehenna, into the fire that cannot be put out,
The Greek word: "Gehenna" is geenna. The dictionary gives "valley of (the son of) Hinnom", a valley of Jerusalem, "used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment". It is in 3 verses of Mark: here, and .
How it is translated: This Bible keeps the word "Gehenna" in all 3 and does not print "hell".
What changes: Read as the name of the valley, the verse points to a place near Jerusalem. Read as the figurative name, it speaks of the punishment. The text says only "the fire that cannot be put out".
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
44‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’
In plain English: where their worm does not die and the fire is not put out.
Good to know: Verses 44, 46 and 48 have the same words, and this Bible prints all three.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
45If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched—
In plain English: If your foot causes you to stumble (or: to sin), cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into Gehenna, into the fire that cannot be put out,
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
46‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’
In plain English: where their worm does not die and the fire is not put out.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
47If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire,
In plain English: If your eye causes you to stumble (or: to sin), throw it out. It is better for you to enter into God's Kingdom with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the Gehenna of fire,
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
48‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’
In plain English: where their worm does not die and the fire is not put out.
Good to know: The words are close to : "for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched". Mark does not name Isaiah here.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
49For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
In plain English: Everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be salted with salt.
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
50Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
In plain English: Salt is good. But if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."
Show the GreekHide the Greek
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Greek word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.