What does Mark 9:30 mean?

Jesus was from Galilee, specifically Nazareth (Luke 2:4). He began His formal ministry in Capernaum after the arrest of John the Baptist (Mark 1:14). Andrew and Peter's home in Capernaum apparently became His base of operations, and despite His many travels north and east, He always returns to Galilee.

It is in Galilee that He taught and healed large crowds (Mark 3:7–8; 4:1), was rejected by the people who knew Him best (Mark 6:1–6), and argued with the scribes and Pharisees (Mark 2:8–11, 17, 19–22, 24–26). Now, He makes one more tour through Galilee before He travels to Jerusalem, teaching the disciples as much as He can so they will be prepared for the work ahead.

Jesus has tried to bring His disciples away before with varying degrees of success (Mark 4:35; 6:31–32; 7:24). If Jesus stays in the public eye, He will be able to heal hundreds and teach thousands spiritual truths. But what He must teach the disciples is more important. Despite Jesus' plain words, they still don't understand that He will die and rise again. They won't understand until they see Him resurrected. When He is arrested, most will flee into the night (Matthew 26:56). When He is on trial, Peter will deny knowing Him (Matthew 26:69–75). When He is crucified, only John is as brave as the women who stand at the cross (John 19:26–27). When He is dead, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, who had secretly followed or met with Jesus (John 19:38–42), bury Him, and the women try to tend to His body (Mark 16:1–2); but the Twelve hide even after Mary Magdalene tells them she has seen Him risen again (John 20:19).

What Jesus shows here is that it's okay, and often essential, to take a break from active ministry in order grow personally. Just as He takes time to pray (Mark 1:35; 6:46; 14:32–39) so we need to set aside time to learn, rest, and allow God to renew our relationship with Him.