Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 9:16

"And he asked them, What question ye with them?" — Mark 9:16 (ASV)

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

The circumstances of the disciples resembled a battlefield on which the enemy was winning the day, and the loyal troops were about to die defeated; when suddenly, the great Commander himself appears for their relief. His presence is worth more than a thousand battalions of men; and he charges at once upon the adversary, and puts them to rout: He asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

Like some great commander stepping into the field when his followers are being beaten, he comes right to the front and charges the foe boldly. Christ said, What question ye with them?

– as if to say, "Why did you not wait a bit and ask me? I could have answered you if they cannot."

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

There had been a skirmish between the scribes and the disciples of Christ, and the scribes were winning the day; but when the Captain had come, the tide of battle was soon turned.

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

The battle had been raging between Christ's enemies and his disciples, but now that their Captain has come, he rallies his forces, and at once attacks his foes: What question ye with them?