A.T. Robertson Commentary Mark 9
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Mark 9
A.T. Robertson Commentary
Mark 9
"And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There are some here of them that stand [by], who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God come with power." — Mark 9:1 (ASV)
Till they see the kingdom of God come with power (εως αν ιδωσιν την βασιλειαν του θεου εληλυθυιαν εν δυναμε). In 8:38 Jesus clearly is speaking of the second coming. To what is he referring in 9:1? One is reminded of Mr 13:32; Matthew 24:36 where Jesus expressly denies that anyone save the Father himself (not even the Son) knows the day or the hour. Does he contradict that here? It may be observed that Luke has only "see the kingdom of God," while Matthew has "see the Son of man coming" (ερχομενον, present participle, a process). Mark has "see the kingdom of God come" (εληλυθυιαν, perfect active participle, already come) and adds "with power." Certainly the second coming did not take place while some of those standing there still lived. Did Jesus mean that? The very next incident in the Synoptic Gospels is the Transfiguration on Mount Hermon. Does not Jesus have that in mind here? The language will apply also to the coming of the Holy Spirit on the great Day of Pentecost. Some see in it a reference to the destruction of the temple. It is at least open to question whether the Master is speaking of the same event in Mr 8:38; 9:1.
"And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them;" — Mark 9:2 (ASV)
By themselves (μονους). Alone. This word only in Mark. See on Mt 17:1-8 for discussion of the Transfiguration. Luke 9:28 adds "to pray" as the motive of Jesus in taking Peter, James, and John into the high mountain.
"and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them." — Mark 9:3 (ASV)
Glistering, exceeding white (στιλβοντα λευκα λιαν). Old words, all of them. Matthew 17:2 has
white as the light (λευκα ως το φως), Luke 9:29 "white and dazzling" (λευκος εξαστραπτων) like lightning.
So as no fuller on earth can whiten them (οια γναφευς επ της γης ου δυνατα ουτως λευκανα). Γναφω is an old word to card wool. Note ουτως, so, so white. Some manuscripts in Matthew add ως χιων, as snow. Probably the snow-capped summit of Hermon was visible on this very night. See on Mt 17:2 for "transfigured."
"And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus." — Mark 9:4 (ASV)
Elijah with Moses (Ελειας συν Μωυσε). Matthew and Luke have "Moses and Elijah." Both, as a matter of fact were prophets and both dealt with law. Both had mysterious deaths. The other order in Mr 9:5.
"For he knew not what to answer; for they became sore afraid." — Mark 9:6 (ASV)
For he wist not what to answer (ου γαρ ηιδε τ αποκριθη). Deliberative subjunctive retained in indirect question. But why did Peter say anything? Luke says that he spoke, "not knowing what he said," as an excuse for the inappropriateness of his remarks. Perhaps Peter felt embarrassed at having been asleep (Luke 9:32) and the feast of tabernacles or booths (σκηνα) was near. See on Mt 17:4. Peter and the others apparently had not heard the talk of Moses and Elijah with Jesus about his decease (εξοδον, exodus, departure) and little knew the special comfort that Jesus had found in this understanding of the great approaching tragedy concerning which Peter had shown absolute stupidity (Mr 8:32f.) so recently. See on Mt 17:5 about the overshadowing and the voice.
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