And he said to them, “Truly I say to you, that there are some of those standing here who will never experience death until they see the kingdom of God having come with power.”

The Transfiguration

And after six days, Jesus took along Peter and James and John, and led them to a high mountain by themselves alone. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothing became radiant—extremely white, like no cloth refiner on earth can make so white.[a] And Elijah appeared to them together with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and[b] said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here! And let us make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (For he did not know what he should answer, because they were terrified.) And a cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him!” And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus alone.

And as[c] they were coming down from the mountain, he ordered them that they should tell no one the things that they had seen, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 And they kept the matter to themselves, discussing what this rising from the dead meant.[d] 11 And they asked him, saying, “Why do[e] the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah indeed does come first and[f] restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that indeed Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written about him.”

A Demon-possessed Boy Healed

14 And when they[g] came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately the whole crowd, when they[h] saw him, were amazed, and ran up to him[i] and[j] greeted him. 16 And he asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And one individual from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought to you my son who has a spirit that makes him mute.[k] 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at the mouth and grinds his[l] teeth and becomes paralyzed. And I told your disciples that they should expel it, and they were not able to do so.[m] 19 And he answered them and[n] said, “O unbelieving generation! How long[o] will I be with you? How long[p] must I put up with you? Bring him to me!” 20 And they brought him to him. And when he[q] saw him, the spirit immediately convulsed him, and falling on the ground, he began to roll around, foaming at the mouth. 21 And he asked his father how long it was since this had been happening to him. And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often it has thrown him both into fire and into water, in order that it could destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and[r] help us!” 23 But Jesus said to him, “If you are able! All things are possible for the one who believes!” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and[s] said, “I believe! Help my unbelief!” 25 Now when[t] Jesus saw that a crowd was running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and enter into him no more!” 26 And it came out, screaming and convulsing him[u] greatly, and he became as if he were dead, so that most of them said, “He has died!” 27 But Jesus took hold of his hand and[v] raised him up, and he stood up. 28 And after[w] he had entered into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why were we not able to expel it?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing except by prayer.”[x]

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection a Second Time

30 And from there they went out and[y] passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know, 31 for he was teaching his disciples and was telling them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he[z] is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the statement, and they were afraid to ask him.

The Question About Who Is Greatest

33 And they came to Capernaum. And after he[aa] was in the house, he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent, because they had argued with one another on the way about who was greatest. 35 And he sat down and[ab] called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he will be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a young child and[ac] had him stand among them.[ad] And taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of the young children such as these in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but the one who sent me.”

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone expelling demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not prevent him, because there is no one who does a miracle in my name and will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Christ’s, truly I say to you that he will never lose his reward.

Temptations to Sin

42 “And whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it is better for him if instead a large millstone[ae] is placed around his neck and he is thrown into the sea. 43 And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life crippled than, having two hands, to go into hell—into the unquenchable fire![af] 45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off! It is better for you to enter into life lame than, having two feet, to be thrown into hell![ag] 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out! It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than, having two eyes, to be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished.’[ah] 49 For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt becomes deprived of its salt content, by what can you make it salty? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 9:3 Literally “make white like this”
  2. Mark 9:5 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  3. Mark 9:9 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were coming down”)
  4. Mark 9:10 Literally “is”
  5. Mark 9:11 Literally “what is it that”
  6. Mark 9:12 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“does come”) has been translated as a finite verb
  7. Mark 9:14 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“came”) which is understood as temporal
  8. Mark 9:15 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  9. Mark 9:15 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  10. Mark 9:15 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“ran up to”) has been translated as a finite verb
  11. Mark 9:17 Literally “a mute spirit”
  12. Mark 9:18 Literally “the”; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
  13. Mark 9:18 *The words “to do so” are not in the Greek text but are implied
  14. Mark 9:19 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  15. Mark 9:19 Literally “until when”
  16. Mark 9:19 Literally “until when”
  17. Mark 9:20 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  18. Mark 9:22 Here “and” is supplied and the following participle (“have compassion”) has been translated as a finite verb and placed before the verb “help” in keeping with English style
  19. Mark 9:24 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“cried out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  20. Mark 9:25 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“saw”) which is understood as temporal
  21. Mark 9:26 Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  22. Mark 9:27 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took hold of”) has been translated as a finite verb
  23. Mark 9:28 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“had entered”)
  24. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts add “and fasting”
  25. Mark 9:30 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“went out”) has been translated as a finite verb
  26. Mark 9:31 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“is killed”) which is understood as temporal
  27. Mark 9:33 Here “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“was”) which is understood as temporal
  28. Mark 9:35 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“sat down”) has been translated as a finite verb
  29. Mark 9:36 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“took”) has been translated as a finite verb
  30. Mark 9:36 Literally “in the midst of them”
  31. Mark 9:42 Literally “a millstone of a donkey”
  32. Mark 9:43 Most later Greek manuscripts add v. 44 after v. 43, “where their worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished” (identical to v. 48)
  33. Mark 9:45 Most later Greek manuscripts add v. 46 after v. 45, “where their worm does not die and the fire is not extinguished” (identical to v. 48)
  34. Mark 9:48 A quotation from Isa 66:24

And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come(A) with power.”(B)

The Transfiguration(C)(D)

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John(E) with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white,(F) whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(G) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud:(H) “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”(I)

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone(J) what they had seen until the Son of Man(K) had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man(L) must suffer much(M) and be rejected?(N) 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come,(O) and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit(P)

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.(Q)

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”(R)

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene,(S) he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately,(T) “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[a]

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time(U)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man(V) is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him,(W) and after three days(X) he will rise.”(Y) 32 But they did not understand what he meant(Z) and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum.(AA) When he was in the house,(AB) he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.(AC)

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”(AD)

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms,(AE) he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”(AF)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us(AG)

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”(AH)

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.(AI) 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.(AJ)

Causing to Stumble

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble,(AK) it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.(AL) 43 If your hand causes you to stumble,(AM) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,(AN) where the fire never goes out.(AO) [44] [b] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble,(AP) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.(AQ) [46] [c] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble,(AR) pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,(AS) 48 where

“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.’[d](AT)

49 Everyone will be salted(AU) with fire.

50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?(AV) Have salt among yourselves,(AW) and be at peace with each other.”(AX)

Footnotes

  1. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts prayer and fasting
  2. Mark 9:44 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  3. Mark 9:46 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  4. Mark 9:48 Isaiah 66:24

Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”

The Transfiguration

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.” Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus with them.

As they went back down the mountain, he told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man[b] had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by “rising from the dead.”

11 Then they asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?[c]

12 Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.”

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

14 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him.

16 “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked.

17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.[d] So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

19 Jesus said to them,[e] “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”

24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil[f] spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”

26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”

29 Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.[g]

Jesus Again Predicts His Death

30 Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know he was there, 31 for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” 32 They didn’t understand what he was saying, however, and they were afraid to ask him what he meant.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. 35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

36 Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf[h] welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

Using the Name of Jesus

38 John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”

39 “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. 40 Anyone who is not against us is for us. 41 If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.

42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell[i] with two hands.[j] 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet.[k] 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’[l]

49 “For everyone will be tested with fire.[m] 50 Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

Footnotes

  1. 9:5 Greek three tabernacles.
  2. 9:9 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
  3. 9:11 Greek that Elijah must come first?
  4. 9:18 Or becomes weak.
  5. 9:19 Or said to his disciples.
  6. 9:25 Greek unclean.
  7. 9:29 Some manuscripts read by prayer and fasting.
  8. 9:37 Greek in my name.
  9. 9:43a Greek Gehenna; also in 9:45, 47.
  10. 9:43b Some manuscripts add verse 44, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’ See 9:48.
  11. 9:45 Some manuscripts add verse 46, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’ See 9:48.
  12. 9:48 Isa 66:24.
  13. 9:49 Greek salted with fire; other manuscripts add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt.