Mark 9:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”

NIV: They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, 'What were you arguing about on the road?'

NASB: They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them: 'What were you discussing on the way?'

CSB: They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way? "

NLT: After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, 'What were you discussing out on the road?'

KJV: And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

NKJV: Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”

Jesus, and God the Father, often asks questions merely to engage people and direct their attention to the issue He wishes to address. We see this when God asks Adam and Eve where they are (Genesis 3:9), and when Jesus asks Peter if he is asleep (Mark 14:37). The questions don't reflect a lack of knowledge but provide an opportunity for others to take responsibility for their actions.
One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is that God either doesn't know or doesn't care about what we do and say. We may think that we're too unimportant or that He isn't interested in us. It's true that we shouldn't obsess or feel shame over what we have done, but we should never think that God doesn't care. He is more than willing to work with us on issues of sin or hurt. He wants us to feel free to approach Him with our concerns, "that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). The sooner we deal with our sin or pain, the less time it has to grow into something truly damaging.

When God asks questions in the Bible, we can be certain that He knows the answer beforehand. With Jesus, we're not so sure. Some scholars say that because Jesus had a direct relationship with the Holy Spirit, He was actively omniscient in His human form, but Scripture belies this. When speaking of the timing of His second coming, He told the disciples "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13:32). Paul explains that in order to fulfill His purpose, Jesus "emptied himself" of His equality with God (Philippians 2:7). He must have had some extra spiritual knowledge (Mark 2:8; 5:30), but He was apparently not taking full hold of His divine omniscience during His ministry on earth.

Mark 9:33–37 relates an argument about who is the most significant of Jesus' followers. This opens the door for a discussion on who His followers will be and what will be expected of them. While the disciples value position, Jesus values the lowly, the trusting (Mark 9:39–40), the protective (Mark 9:42), the disciplined (Mark 9:43–47), and those who are refined, consistent, and able to work together without arguing who is greatest (Mark 9:49–50). This section is also recorded in Matthew 18:1–6 and Luke 9:46–48.

Mark 9 continues Jesus' efforts to teach the disciples who He is, what He has come to do, and what their role is in His mission. The chapter begins with the transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John catch a glimpse of Jesus' glory, and ends back in Capernaum. Jesus spends most of that time teaching. Although the disciples do quarrel with the scribes, the misconceptions and errors Jesus addresses come from the disciples, themselves, not outsiders. In the next chapter, He will leave Galilee and travel toward Jerusalem and the cross.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.