What does Mark 9:27 mean?

When Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law, "he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up" (Mark 1:31). When He raised the little girl from the dead, He took her hand and said, "Little girl, I say to you, arise" (Mark 5:41). When Peter fell into the stormy sea while trying to walk on the water, Jesus reached out His hand and saved him (Matthew 14:31). When He healed blind people, Jesus typically touched their eyes in some way (Mark 8:23; John 9:6). He even touched a man with a skin condition (Mark 1:41).

When the disciples argue about who is greatest and Jesus explains why this way of thinking is wrong, He takes a child and holds him (Mark 9:36). When parents bring their children to Jesus, He holds them and lays His hands on them in blessing (Mark 10:13–16). And at the last supper, Jesus personally washes the disciples' feet (John 13:5).

Even before the time this commentary was being written, before the #metoo movement and the revelation of abuses by Christian leaders, touch has increasingly grown unpopular in the church. The early church was told to "greet one another with a holy kiss" (Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 13:12). The kissing part was certainly cultural, but not the sentiment. Modern culture has a talent for sexualizing innocence, and making touch taboo is part of this. Christians should be mindful and careful about touch, but it may be that we have rejected it too much.