Must deny himself - Mark 8:34
Jesus called the
crowd together with his disciples because his words applied to all Christ followers, not just to their leaders. Jesus was the ultimate denier of self-interest. (Note Phil 2:6-8.) The follower of Jesus must also
deny himself. Jesus' followers must follow him in seeking the will of God instead of pursuing their own selfish desires. The Romans often forced convicted criminals to carry the
cross beam to the site of their execution. These words must have had great significance to the original readers of this gospel in Rome.
Win greater blessings - Mark 8:35-37
Human beings can be assured of experiencing the fullness of the potential of human life only if they first are willing to give up all the life which this world offers. In these ironic words Jesus summed up the need to surrender the pursuit of the values of this world in order to win far greater blessings.
Denial of Christ - Mark 8:38
Shortsighted denial of Christ has ultimate consequences. Avoiding the shaming stares of the adulterous and sinful in this life will bring with it the damning gaze of the glorified Jesus. See
WLC 19, 113.
An approaching display of God's glory - Mark 9:1
The reference to the glory of the Father in verse 38 led Jesus to speak of an approaching display of God's glory. The word
Some probably refers to the disciples who would see that glory in both the resurrection of Christ and in his transfiguration that is described in the following verses. This verse is Jesus' promise to those who faithfully follow him in spite of the looming threats of death that they will share in that eternal glory.
Transfigured- Mark 9:2
Very seldom did Mark use specific time connections in his gospel. The phrase
six days later is a literary way to connect the promise in verse one to the subsequent transfiguration narrative. When Jesus was
transfigured there was a temporary display of the glory of the kingdom of God that will come in its fullness in the new heavens and the new earth. (This is the same verb used to describe the transfiguration in Matt. 17:2. Its only other uses in the New Testament are 2 Cor.3:18 and Rom. 12:2.)During his earthly ministry Jesus' eternal glory was largely hidden. In the transfiguration that glory was partially revealed and in his resurrection it would be revealed to an even greater degree.
Glory and Struggle - Mark 9:2-29
In this age the experience of glory is not yet unmixed. For now, both glory and struggle will be the continuing experience of Jesus' followers.
Bleacher - Mark 9:3
A
bleacher was a person whose profession was to clean and whiten cloth. This is the only occurrence of this word in the New Testament. Jesus clothing
became radiantly brilliant. The brilliant light of God's presence is often spoken of in the Bible. See Ps. 4:6; 104:2; Hab. 3:4; Isa. 60:19, 20; 1 Tim. 6:16. In the transfiguration the veil was temporarily pulled back and Jesus' deity was revealed. The transfiguration was Jesus' guarantee to his disciples of the glory that they one day would share with him.
Moses and Elijah - Mark 9:4
Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the Prophets. Together with Jesus they demonstrate the continuation and fulfillment of God's redeeming work of the Old Testament in the ministry of Jesus.Feast of Tabernacles - Mark 9:5
A part of the glory of the Day of the Lord described in Zech. 14:1, 16 is the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The Greek word translated shelters is also the word for tabernacles. Peter thought they were seeing the final coming of God's kingdom and
that Jesus had been wrong about his coming death.
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