Mark 9 14

Mark 9:14 kjv

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.

Mark 9:14 nkjv

And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.

Mark 9:14 niv

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.

Mark 9:14 esv

And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them.

Mark 9:14 nlt

When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them.

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 14 Meaning

Upon descending from the mountain of Transfiguration, Jesus found the majority of His disciples in a state of distress. They were surrounded by a large crowd and engaged in an intense argument with scribes, likely over their inability to resolve a pressing issue, which subsequent verses reveal to be a demonic possession. This scene starkly contrasts the heavenly glory just witnessed with the harsh realities of spiritual conflict and human inadequacy.

Mark 9 14 Context

Mark 9:14 follows immediately after the extraordinary event of Jesus's Transfiguration on the mountain, where His divine glory was revealed to Peter, James, and John. This verse marks a stark return to the chaotic and spiritually challenging realities of earthly ministry. While Jesus and the three disciples were experiencing a spiritual high, the other nine disciples had remained in the valley, facing a spiritual crisis involving a demon-possessed boy they were unable to heal. The immediate historical context is that of Jesus's Galilean ministry, moving towards Jerusalem, encountering increasing opposition from religious authorities, specifically the scribes, and continually educating His disciples on the nature of His kingdom and their future mission. This incident foreshadows the greater struggle against unbelief and spiritual forces that Jesus Himself would soon face, culminating in His passion.

Mark 9 14 Word analysis

• And when he came: Greek "καὶ ἐλθόντες" (kai elthontes). Signifies Jesus's return from the mountain of glory, underscoring the immediate shift from a heavenly realm to a fallen, contentious world.
• to his disciples: Referring to the nine disciples left at the base of the mountain, contrasting with Peter, James, and John who were with Him. This highlights the shared ministry but also distinct experiences and levels of understanding at times within the larger group.
• he saw: Greek "εἶδον" (eidon). A straightforward observation, yet carries the weight of Jesus immediately grasping the full, troublesome situation at hand with a clear perception of both physical and spiritual realities.
• a great multitude: Greek "ὄχλον πολὺν" (ochlon polyn). Denotes a large, potentially disorderly or expectant crowd. Such throngs were characteristic of Jesus's public ministry, often putting immense pressure and scrutiny on the disciples.
• around them: Indicates the disciples were at the center of attention and scrutiny, implying they were overwhelmed and unable to control the escalating situation.
• and scribes: Greek "καὶ γραμματεῖς" (kai grammateis). Jewish religious scholars and interpreters of the Law. In the Gospels, they are frequently antagonists of Jesus, often challenging His authority, teachings, and methods. Their presence here immediately suggests opposition or a confrontational challenge.
• disputing with them: Greek "συζητοῦντας" (syzētountas). Implies an active, intense, and often adversarial debate or argument. This was not a friendly discussion but a contentious one, likely aimed at undermining the disciples' credibility, authority, or theological position due to their apparent failure in handling a spiritual matter.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude around them": This phrase dramatically sets the scene, showcasing Jesus's descent from glory into the heart of human struggle. It pictures the remaining disciples isolated and under the intense, often chaotic, pressure of a large public crowd. This visual emphasizes their precarious position, highlighting a problem that clearly requires immediate divine intervention.
• "scribes disputing with them": This crucial phrase reveals the spiritual and intellectual opposition at play. The scribes, as religious authorities, would have capitalized on the disciples' apparent failure, using this as an opportunity for theological and practical contention. Their "disputing" (συζητοῦντας, syzētountas) denotes a hostile and critical argument, rather than genuine inquiry. This points to the conflict between human religious systems based on legalism and external forms, and the Spirit-filled power of Christ, exposing the intellectual and spiritual warfare against Christ's ministry by entrenched unbelief.

Mark 9 14 Bonus section

This verse vividly illustrates the theological principle that divine glory (as experienced on the mountain) is inextricably linked to the earthly struggles and spiritual warfare encountered in the "valley." It teaches that even Jesus's chosen disciples are vulnerable and limited without His immediate and active empowerment. The presence of the disputing scribes is not coincidental; it represents the constant attempts of the kingdom of darkness, often through religious and intellectual systems, to challenge, discredit, and oppose the authentic work of God. The disciples' failure, therefore, is not just a personal mishap but a broader testament to the inability of human effort alone to confront spiritual forces effectively. This passage is a crucial reminder that spiritual victory is not attained through human intellect or argumentative prowess, but solely through reliance on Christ's presence and power, often accessed through specific acts of faith, prayer, and humility, as subsequent verses will reveal.

Mark 9 14 Commentary

Mark 9:14 is a poignant transition point, moving abruptly from the dazzling glory of the Transfiguration to the challenging realities of sin, sickness, and spiritual warfare on earth. It reveals the natural limitations and vulnerability of the disciples when Christ's direct enabling presence is momentarily withdrawn. The scene underscores the disciples' public embarrassment and spiritual impotence in the face of a demonic problem, exacerbated by the relentless, critical scrutiny and argumentative opposition of the scribes. This confrontation is far from a mere intellectual debate; it represents a spiritual battlefield where the visible failure of the disciples to confront a demonic force is eagerly exploited by the unbelieving religious establishment. Jesus's arrival instantly shifts the dynamic, poised to demonstrate that true authority and power over spiritual darkness comes solely from Him, rendering human reasoning, arguments, and insufficient faith powerless. This verse sets the foundational understanding for a vital lesson on the nature of spiritual authority, the absolute necessity of dependence on Jesus, and the ongoing spiritual battle that marks the path of believers.