Join Christ in His Self-Denying Ministry – Mark 9:2-29
9 (2) Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain, off by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. (3) His garments became radiant and dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. (4) Elijah together with Moses appeared to them; and they were speaking with Jesus. (5) Then Peter responded and said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three shelters, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. (6) He said this because he did not know how to respond, for they were terrified. (7) Then a cloud came and cast its shadow over them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son; listen to him. (8) Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus alone.
(9) As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them not to tell anyone about the things they had seen, until after the Son of man had risen again from the dead. (10) So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead might mean. (11) They asked him, How is it that the scribes say that Elijah must first come? (12) And he said to them, Elijah, indeed, does come first and restores all things; but why is it written that the Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected? (13) But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they also have done to him whatever they wanted, just as it is written of him.
(14) When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some of the scribes arguing with them. (15) Immediately, when they saw him, the whole crowd was overwhelmed with wonder and came running to greet him. (16) He asked them, What were you arguing about with them? (17) One of the crowd responded, Teacher, I brought my son to you. He is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech; (18) and whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I spoke to your disciples, requesting them to cast it out; but they were not able. (19) Then Jesus answered them and said, O generation that lacks faith, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to me. (20) Then they brought him to Jesus. When the spirit saw Jesus, he immediately threw the boy into a convulsion; he fell to the ground, rolling around and foaming at the mouth. (21) Jesus asked his father, How long has he been like this? And he said, Since he was a child. (22) Often the spirit has thrown him into either the fire or the water, to kill him; but if you are able to do anything, have compassion on us and help us. (23) Jesus said to him, If you are able! All things are possible for the one who believes. (24) Immediately the father of the boy cried out, I believe; help my unbelief.
(25) When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never again enter into him.(26) After crying out, and violently convulsing the boy, he came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that most of those present said, He is dead. (27) But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose. (28) When Jesus had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out? (29) And he said to them, This kind can only be exorcised by prayer.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
