Mark 9

Christ is glorified upon the mount in the presence of Moses and Elias and is witnessed to be the son of God 1 he teacheth that John the Baptist is the Elias which was to come 11 casteth out a dumb and deaf devil 14 which his disciples had not been able to do 18 the cause whereof is declared 28 he again foretells his death and resurrection 31 exhorths his disciples to humility by example of little child 33will not have those kindred that cast out devil in his name 38 promiseth a recompense to him that doth the least good to any of his 41and threatens heavy punishments to those that give offence 42 sheweth that we must refrain ourselves from whatsoever is offensive or an hindrance to salvation 45 speaks of having salt in ourselves and peace with others 49.

1. And he said unto them verily I say unto ye [see hereof the annotation on Matthew 16:28] that there are some of them that stand here [that is are present] which shall not taste of death until they shall have seen that the kingdom of God is come with power [Gr in power that is powerfully so that none shall be able to withstand the same.]

2. And after six days [see hereof as also the whole transfiguration of Christ the annotation on Matthew 17 verse 1&c.] Jesus took with him Peter James and John and brought them upon a high mountain apart alone and he was transfigured or altered in shape before them.

3. And his garments became shining very white as snow such as no fuller on earth can make so white.

4. And there was seen of them Elias with Moses and they spake with Jesus [what they spake of see Luke 9:31]

5. And Peter answering said unto Jesus Rabbi it is good for to be here and let us make three tabernacles or rooths one for thee one for Moses and one for Elias.

6. For he knew not what he said [or what he should say] for they were so afraid [the Greek word signifieth as it were besides one self for fear or to be exceedingly afraid.]

7. And there came a cloud which cover shadowed them and the voice came out of the cloud saying this is my beloved son hear him.

8. And suddenly looking around about them saw no man more but Jesus only with them.

9. And as they came down from the mount he commanded them that they should relate to no man what they had seen until the son of man should be risen from dead.

10. And they kept this word [that is this thing a Hebrew phrase] to themselves asking one another how it was to rise from dead? [this was asked by them not that they doubted the resurrection from the dead for that was well known of the Jews John 11:24 Acts 23.8but because they understood not how the Messiah should die and rise again before he should set up his kingdom]

11. And they asked him saying why the Scribes that Elias must first come say?

12. And he answering said unto them Elias shall indeed first come and restore all things and it shall come to pass as it is written of the son of man thathe shall suffer much and be despised [Gr set at naught or esteemed as nothing that is vilified to the utmost]

13. But I say unto you that Elias is come and they have done to him whatsoever they would accord it is written of him.

14. And when he was come to the disciples [namely the other nine who had not been with Christ on the mount] he saw a great multitude round about them and certain Scribes contending with them [that is disputing]

15. And straightway the whole multitude seeing him was amazed [it seems hereby that there remained some splendour yet in Christ face such as was in that of Moses Exodus 34 verse 29,30 whereat they were amazed] and running to him they saluted him.

16. And he asked the Scribe what contend ye with? [Otherwise one with another]

17. And one of those multitude answering said master I have brought my son unto thee who had a dumb spirit [Gr speechless that is one which had a taken from him or hundred his speech]

18. And where so ever he taketh him [or when so ever] he teareth him and he foameth and gnasheth with his teeth and withereth away [that is pineth and consumeth away through this torment] and I spake to thy disciples that is requested of them that they would cast him out and they were not able.

19. And he answered him and said O unbelieving generation how long shall I be with ye yet? How long shall I support you yet? Bring him unto me.

20. And they brought the same unto him and when he saw him the spirit straightway tore him [of this word see Mark 1:26 the devil here shew his cruelty the more because he knew he must be packing see Revelation 12:12] and he falling on the ground wallowed foaming.

21. And he asked his father how long time since this befell him? And he said unto him even from his childhood.

22. And often times he hath cast him even into the fire and into the water for to destroy him [that is to make away with him] but if thou canst do any thing is thou inwardly moved with compassion towards us and help us.

23. And Jesus said unto him if thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth.

24. And straightway the father of the child crying with tears said I believe Lord Help mine unbelief.

25. And Jesus seeing that all the multitude came running on he rebuked the unclean spirit saying unto him thou dumb and deaf spirit I command thee go forth out of him and come no more into him .

26. And he crying [namely the unclean spirit] and tearing him sore went out and the child was as dead insomuch that many said it was dead.

27. And Jesus taking him by the hand lifted him up NAD he arose.

28. And when he [namely Jesus] was gone into the house his disciples asked him apart why were not we able to cast him out?

29. And he said unto them this kind [namely of devils] can go forth by nothing but by praying and fasting [or by prayer and fasting see Matthew 17.21]

30. And departing thence they traveled through Galilee and he would not that any man knew it.

31. For he taught his disciples and said unto hem the son of man shall be delivered over [or is delivered over] into the hands of man and they shall kill him and being killed the third day he shall rise again.

32. But thy did not understand that word [that is thing for the words thy understood were enough for some sort but they apprehended not nor laid to heart the thing itself seeing they always fancied to themselves a wordly kingdom under Christ Matthew 17:23] and they were afraid to ask him .

33. And he came to Capernaum and being come into the house [namely were he was wont to make his abode see Matthew 4:13] he asked them whereof did ye discourse one with another by the way?

34. But they held their peace for they had discoursed one with another by the way who should be the greatest?

35. And being sat don he called the twelve and said unto them if any man would be the first he shall be the last of all and servant of all [or let him be c. that is he ought so to behave himself as if he were the last of all and servant of all Matthew 20:26]

36. And taking a little child he set it in the didst amongst them and embraced it with his arms and said unto them

37. Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name he receiveth me and whosoever shall receiveth me he receiveth not me [that is not so much me or not me only] but him that sent me.

38. And John answered saying master we saw one that cast out devils in thy name that doth not follow us and we forbad him because he doth not follow us.

39. But Jesus said forbid him not for there is no man that shall do a power [that is powerful work or miracle in my name and shall be able to hastily to speak evil of me [that is reproach or curse me seeing he doth acknowledge by that deed of his that this power comes from me.]

40. For he that is not against us [that is he that not only doth not set himself against us but likewise doth that whereby the honor of my name is advanced although he do not follow our company so that here he speaks not of those which keep themselves Neuters in the cause of Christ whom we see elsewhere reproved Matthew 12 verse 30] he is for us [others read against you and for you.]

41. For whoso shall give ye a cup of water to drink in my name for being Christ disciples [Here Christ again prosecutes the discourse which he had broken off verse 37 as appears by Matthew 10:4] verily I say unto ye he shall in the wise lose his reward.

42. And whosoever offends one of these little ones [viz which are not only little in respect of age but likewise the little or lowly minded or who esteem but little of themselves] which believe in me it were better for him that a mill stone were put about his neck [Gr laid] and that he were cast into the sea [namely then that he should give offence.]

43. And if thy hand offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into life maimed [that is having but one hand as the following words do also hold forth] then having two hands to go into hell [see hereof the exposition on Matthew 5:22] into that unquenchable fire.

44. where their worm [that is their racking conscience which like a worm shall always lie gnawing them Romans 2:5,9]dieth not and the fire is not quenched [the fire that is the punishment of Gods wrath which is called an unquenchable fire the pain of fire being most insufferable and this punishment never ceasing Jeremiah 7:20 Revelations 20.10].

45. And if thy foot offend thee cut it off it is better for thee to enter into the life a cripple then having two feet two feet be cast into hell into unquenchable fire.

46. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.

47. And if thine eyes offend thee cast it out it is better for thee having but one eye to enter into the kingdom of God then having two eyes to be cast into hell fire [Or Gehenna of fire see Matthew 5:22]

48. Where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.

49. For everyone [Gr all] shall be salted with fire [unto fire is compared the word of God Jeremiah 23:29 the powerful working of the holy ghost Matthew 3:11 cross and persecution 1 Peter 1 verse 7 by which three things everyone is to be prepared tried and purified that shall escape hell fire and thus h becomes a spiritual sacrifice which is acceptable to God like as the outward sacrifice were to be prepared with salt and offered by fire Leviticus 2:13] and every [Gr all] sacrifice shall be salted with salt.

50. Salt is good but if the salt has become salt less where with will ye make it savoury ?[see the exposition hereof Matthew 5:13] have salt in yourselves [salt that is wisdom and prudence out of and according to the word of God Colossians 4:6] and be at peace one with another .