John Calvin Commentary Mark 9:14

"And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them." — Mark 9:14 (ASV)

As Mark is more detailed and explains the circumstances in great detail, we will follow the order of his narrative. First, he points out clearly the reason why Christ displays a harshness so uncharacteristic of him, when he exclaims that the Jews, because of their perverse malice, do not deserve to be endured any longer.

We know how gently he usually received them, even when their requests were excessively persistent.⁴⁸⁶ A father here entreats on behalf of an only son; the necessity is extremely urgent, and a modest and humble appeal is made to the compassion of Christ. Why then does he, contrary to his usual manner, suddenly break out into passion and declare that they can be endured no longer?

Since the narratives of Matthew and Luke do not enable us to discover the reason for this great severity, some commentators have mistakenly supposed that this rebuke was directed either against the disciples or against the father of the afflicted child. But if we duly consider all the circumstances of the case, as they are related by Mark, there will be no difficulty in concluding that Christ's indignation was directed against the malice of the scribes, and that he did not intend to treat the ignorant and weak with such harshness.

During Christ’s absence, a lunatic child had been brought forward. The scribes, regarding this as a plausible occasion to cause trouble, eagerly seized upon it and urged the disciples, if they had any power, to exercise it in curing the child.

It is probable that the disciples made an attempt and that their efforts were unsuccessful, at which point the scribes raised the shout of victory. They not only ridiculed the disciples but also broke out against Christ, as if his power had been thwarted in their persons.

This was an extraordinary display of outrageous impiety combined with equally base ingratitude, to maliciously ignore so many miracles from which they had learned of Christ's amazing power; for they clearly endeavored to extinguish the light that was placed before their eyes.

Therefore, with good reason, Christ exclaims that they could no longer be endured and pronounces them to be an unbelieving and perverse nation; for the numerous proofs they had previously witnessed should at least have prevented them from seeking an occasion for disparagement.⁴⁸⁷

He saw a great multitude around them. The disciples were, no doubt, being held up for public ridicule, just as enemies of the truth are accustomed, on occasions of triumph, to assemble a crowd over a trivial matter. The scribes had made such a commotion about it as to draw the ridicule of many people upon the disciples. And yet it appears that some were not ill-disposed, for as soon as they see Jesus, they greet him; and even the insolence of the scribes is restrained by his presence, for when they are asked what the dispute is about, they have nothing to say.

⁴⁸⁶ “Encores mesme qu’ils se monstrassent import uns et facheux en leurs requestes;” — “even though they showed themselves to be importunate and troublesome in their requests.”;” — “even though they showed themselves to be importunate and troublesome in their requests.”

⁴⁸⁷ “Qu’ils n’allassent plus chercher des cavillations et moyens obliques pour luy resister;” — “not to resort any more to cavils and indirect methods of opposing him.”;” — “not to resort any more to cavils and indirect methods of opposing him.”