Mark 9:30-37 - Teaching on Greatness
Mark 9: 30) They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it, 31) for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.” 32) But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. 33) Then they came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34) But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35) He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36) Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37) “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”
The context: Jesus, Peter, James and John have come down from the mountain where they experienced the dazzling power of God displayed in the transfiguration. They come upon the other disciples in a heated debate with the Scribes. The disciples have been unable to cast out a demon from a badly tormented boy and the Scribes use this as an opportunity to attack both them and their leader. From an incredible religious high, Peter, James and John are thrust into the midst of an experience of impotence, frustration and hostility. Jesus makes a prediction of his death and then continues on his travels. In this section Jesus is particularly intent on showing how far wide of the mark the disciples are in their understanding of the kingdom of God. This is particularly apparent in their arguing about who will have the highest rank instead of wondering why God would choose for the Messiah to die.
The Son of Man: This is an enigmatic phrase in Mark. Its’ meaning is far from clear. It may simply be a Messianic title or it may be a way that Jesus referred to the human nature of the Son of God. It may also simply have been the way that Jesus referred to himself in the third person
The Messianic Secret: The reason for Jesus not wanting to advertise his whereabouts and many of his healing miracles has been the cause of much speculation and little agreement. Some conclude that this was so that the message would not get out ahead of its time. Others say that is was so that his fame would not spread indiscriminately in such a way that people would not see God at work but just understand Jesus as some kind of magician. Others say that it was because Jesus felt that it was only appropriate for the messiah to be declared by God and not by humans. Of course, there was always the problem of security as well.
The Role of Children in the Bible: Children, then and now, were seen as blessings from God and celebrated as a sign of God’s faithfulness. They were also an economic necessity. Children were needed to work and to produce more children so that the tribe could survive. While they were surely loved by their parents, children had nearly no rights in the ancient world. Fathers made all decisions and that was that. There were few laws to protect them and even fewer enforcements. In general, children were symbols of vulnerability and powerlessness. That is, in all probability, the way that Jesus uses the child in this passage: to teach the disciples about what power really looks like. In the kingdom, might does not make right. There will be no domination of the powerful over the weak. All will feel special by treating others as special.
Word Study
Vs. 32 – betrayed – lit. handed over by treachery
Vs. 33 – Capernaum – they are coming home, this is safe and familiar territory
In the house – Mark’s clue phrase that special teaching for the inner circle of disciples is coming
Arguing – could be translated as ‘discussing’. The word implies private personal remarks. There is a secretive quality to it.
Vs. 34 – silent – this is an embarrassed silence, like that of a child caught in a naughty activity.
Greatest – this had to do with who had the highest status or rank in the group. This was an enormously important part of ancient society. Perhaps the issue arose due to the special experience of Peter, James and John on the mountain. Or maybe it arose because some of the disciples were not able to perform the exorcism of the boy. In either case, fragile egos are in play.
Vs. 35 – sat – indicates formal teaching
Called the twelve – this teaching was aimed at the leadership of the group
Said – this verb indicates that he was speaking in a louder voice than usual
“Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” – total reversal of expected values. The measure of greatness is not power, influence or wealth. It is lowly service.
Vs. 36 – little child – this word gives no clues as to age or gender of the child. The image of the child is used in this passage as a symbol of lowliness, powerlessness, lack of status. Children were often little more than slaves at this point in history. In Mark’s community they understood this verse to refer to young in faith, the new to the community of faith.
Take in arms – an unusual word. Could be translated as embrace.
Welcomes – receives as an honored guest
Welcomes me – To welcome the ‘child’ is to welcome Jesus. To welcome Jesus is to welcome God. Jewish law held that a man’s authorized representative could act as the man himself. He could enter into binding contracts and even negotiate marriages.
Questions for Reflection
1. What are the things that you struggle to attain? Are they things that have more to do with the world’s status or the kingdom’s status?
2. Who are the ‘little children’ in our day? How do you welcome the weak and lowly into the fellowship of our church?
3. Have you ever had an experience in which you felt that you ‘met Jesus’ in an unusual person?