Mark 9 7

Mark 9:7 kjv

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Mark 9:7 nkjv

And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!"

Mark 9:7 niv

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"

Mark 9:7 esv

And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."

Mark 9:7 nlt

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him."

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 7 Meaning

Mark 9:7 describes the climax of Jesus' Transfiguration, where a bright cloud representing the divine presence envelops Peter, James, and John. From within this cloud, God the Father's voice audibly declares Jesus as His "beloved Son" and commands the disciples to "hear him." This momentous event serves as a profound divine endorsement of Jesus' identity, authority, and prophetic role, placing Him definitively above Moses and Elijah and confirming His unique Sonship revealed at His baptism.

Mark 9 7 Context

Mark 9:7 is situated within the narrative of the Transfiguration, which occurs shortly after Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ (Mk 8:29) and Jesus' first explicit prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection (Mk 8:31). This profound declaration by the Father on a high mountain serves multiple purposes for Peter, James, and John. It confirms Jesus' divine identity to them, bolstering their faith amidst the confusing prospect of a suffering Messiah. It also symbolically positions Jesus as superior to Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets), whom He appeared with, fulfilling and superseding their roles. The command to "hear him" shifts the disciples' allegiance and focus solely to Jesus' teachings, particularly those about the necessity of the cross, as Moses and Elijah disappear. This event foreshadows Jesus' ultimate glory and resurrection.

Mark 9 7 Word analysis

• And a cloud (καὶ νεφέλη - kai nephelē):
  • "Cloud" (νεφέλη): In the Old Testament, a cloud often signifies the direct presence of God, His glory (Shekinah), or His divine activity. Examples include the pillar of cloud guiding Israel in the wilderness (Exod 13:21), the cloud that filled the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34) and the Temple (1 Kgs 8:10-11), and the cloud on Mount Sinai where God spoke to Moses (Exod 24:15-18). Its appearance here explicitly points to a theophany, a manifestation of God's presence.
• overshadowed them (ἐπεσκίασεν αὐτοῖς - epeskiasen autois):
  • "Overshadowed" (ἐπισκιάζω - episkiázō): This verb means "to cast a shade upon," "to envelop with a shadow," or "to overshadow." It implies a powerful, enveloping divine presence. Notably, the same verb is used in Lk 1:35 where the Holy Spirit overshadows Mary, leading to the miraculous conception of Jesus. This echoes a divine, creative, and powerful presence. It signifies divine presence, protection, and transformation.
• and a voice came out of the cloud (καὶ φωνὴ ἐγένετο ἐκ τῆς νεφέλης - kai phōnē egeneto ek tēs nephelēs):
  • "Voice" (φωνή): Indicates direct divine communication, an audible word from God. This "voice out of the cloud" tradition (often referred to as bat qol in later Jewish thought) connects this moment directly to Sinai and God's revelations of old. It confirms the origin of the message is unequivocally divine.
  • "out of the cloud": Emphasizes the heavenly and divine origin of the voice, associating it directly with God's presence manifested in the cloud.
• saying, This is my beloved Son: (λέγουσα, Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Υἱός μου ὁ ἀγαπητός - legousa, Houtos estin ho Huios mou ho agapetos):
  • "This is my Son" (Οὗτός ἐστιν ὁ Υἱός μου): A direct affirmation of Jesus' unique Sonship to God. This phrasing parallels the declaration at Jesus' baptism (Mk 1:11), but here it's stated directly to the inner circle of disciples as an explicit identification of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, not just a prophet.
  • "my beloved" (ὁ ἀγαπητός - ho agapetos): This Greek term can mean "the beloved," "the only begotten," or "unique." It connects Jesus to Abraham's "only son" Isaac (Gen 22:2 LXX), suggesting a sacrificial dimension, but also indicates Jesus' singular, unique, and highly esteemed status as God's Son. It's an affirmation of God's perfect delight and pleasure in Jesus.
• hear him (ἀκούετε αὐτοῦ - akouete autou):
  • "Hear him" (ἀκούετε αὐτοῦ): This is a powerful imperative command, echoing Deut 18:15 ("The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you... You shall listen to him."). By directing the disciples to "hear him," God the Father identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Moses' prophecy, the ultimate authoritative Prophet whose words supersede those of even Moses and Elijah. This command necessitates obedience to Jesus' teachings, particularly regarding His passion and the way of the cross. It calls for total surrender to Jesus' authority.

Mark 9 7 Bonus section

The Transfiguration narrative, including verse 7, serves as an anticipatory revelation of Jesus' resurrection glory and second coming, even as it underscores the immediate reality of His impending suffering. The divine voice clarifies Jesus' identity, solidifying His authority and the binding nature of His teachings for all time. This affirmation also corrects any lingering Jewish Messianic misconceptions among the disciples regarding a solely triumphal and political Messiah, insisting that Jesus' path involves suffering. The inclusion of Moses and Elijah is not just symbolic of Law and Prophets but highlights Jesus as the ultimate end and fulfillment of all God's prior revelation, establishing a "New Covenant" mediated by Him.

Mark 9 7 Commentary

Mark 9:7 stands as a pinnacle moment in Jesus' earthly ministry, a divine revelation intended to shape the disciples' understanding and future actions. The cloud overshadowing is a classic biblical sign of God's manifest presence, linking this event directly to the theophanies of the Old Testament. Unlike Mount Sinai, where God's voice gave the Law through Moses, here God directly introduces His Son, shifting the locus of divine revelation. The emphatic declaration, "This is my beloved Son," reiterates and publicly confirms Jesus' unique identity first revealed privately at His baptism. The word "beloved" highlights God's singular affection and esteem for Jesus, positioning Him as distinct from all others. The final, commanding phrase, "hear him," is the core theological message. It’s a direct instruction for discipleship, indicating that all divine authority and truth now reside solely in Jesus. Having seen Moses (Law) and Elijah (Prophets), the disciples are commanded to turn their undivided attention and obedience to Christ alone. This command takes on immense significance in light of Jesus' preceding prophecy of His suffering and death (Mk 8:31), preparing them to listen to His teachings about the necessity of the cross, even when they are difficult to comprehend or accept. It reminds us that listening to Jesus means embracing His entire message, including His call to costly discipleship.