Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 9:30-32

"And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again. But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him." — Mark 9:30-32 (ASV)

And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

See how intense he was; always thinking of his approaching death, that cruel, bitter death, yet he hastened towards it, longed for that baptism to be accomplished, for the great redeeming price to be paid. Oh, that you and I were as fully absorbed in the service of God as our great Master was!

Now let us see what intensity he requires of us.

And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of Man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Here is the ruling passion of Christ, which was ever prominent throughout his life; though he has just won a glorious victory over Satan, he does not stay to congratulate himself on it, but his heart is still set on the cross where he is to suffer. He is thinking of his dying for his people, and of his being delivered up until he will have paid the ransom price for their redemption and set them free. Oh, the heights and depths of the love of Christ! See how steadfastly he sets his face to go to Jerusalem where he must die. Let us imitate him; let us think as much of his passion now it is over as he thought of it before it came.