This verse from Mark 9:10 describes the disciples' reaction to Jesus telling them about his future suffering, death, and resurrection. Let's break down what it means:
"They kept this saying to themselves": This suggests a sense of confusion, unease, and secrecy. They didn't openly discuss it with Jesus or anyone else, perhaps because they were afraid to admit they didn't understand, or afraid of what it might imply.
"questioning what the 'rising from the dead' meant": This is the core of the verse. The disciples clearly understood the individual words, but they couldn't grasp the concept of resurrection. Here's why this would be difficult:
It was unprecedented: In the Jewish context of the time, the understanding of resurrection was not a common or universally accepted belief, especially not in the way Jesus was describing it. Some believed in a future general resurrection at the end of time, but the idea of a single individual rising from the dead before the end of time was unusual.
It clashed with their expectations of the Messiah: The disciples likely expected the Messiah to be a powerful, victorious king who would overthrow Roman rule and establish a new earthly kingdom. The idea of the Messiah suffering, dying, and then rising again didn't fit with their preconceived notions.
Literal vs. Figurative Understanding: They may have been struggling with how to interpret Jesus' words. Were they supposed to understand "rising from the dead" literally, as in a physical return to life? Or was it meant to be a metaphor or symbol of something else, like spiritual renewal or a change in status?
In essence, the disciples were grappling with a concept that was foreign, unsettling, and seemingly contradictory to their understanding of the world and the Messiah's role. They were trying to reconcile Jesus' words with their existing beliefs and expectations, and they simply couldn't make sense of it at this point. This verse highlights the disciples' initial lack of understanding and foreshadows their later struggle to comprehend Jesus' suffering and resurrection.
This verse from Mark 9:10 describes the disciples' reaction to Jesus telling them about his future suffering, death, and resurrection. Let's break down what it means:
"They kept this saying to themselves": This suggests a sense of confusion, unease, and secrecy. They didn't openly discuss it with Jesus or anyone else, perhaps because they were afraid to admit they didn't understand, or afraid of what it might imply.
"questioning what the 'rising from the dead' meant": This is the core of the verse. The disciples clearly understood the individual words, but they couldn't grasp the concept of resurrection. Here's why this would be difficult:
It was unprecedented: In the Jewish context of the time, the understanding of resurrection was not a common or universally accepted belief, especially not in the way Jesus was describing it. Some believed in a future general resurrection at the end of time, but the idea of a single individual rising from the dead before the end of time was unusual.
It clashed with their expectations of the Messiah: The disciples likely expected the Messiah to be a powerful, victorious king who would overthrow Roman rule and establish a new earthly kingdom. The idea of the Messiah suffering, dying, and then rising again didn't fit with their preconceived notions.
Literal vs. Figurative Understanding: They may have been struggling with how to interpret Jesus' words. Were they supposed to understand "rising from the dead" literally, as in a physical return to life? Or was it meant to be a metaphor or symbol of something else, like spiritual renewal or a change in status?
In essence, the disciples were grappling with a concept that was foreign, unsettling, and seemingly contradictory to their understanding of the world and the Messiah's role. They were trying to reconcile Jesus' words with their existing beliefs and expectations, and they simply couldn't make sense of it at this point. This verse highlights the disciples' initial lack of understanding and foreshadows their later struggle to comprehend Jesus' suffering and resurrection.