Mark 9:10

KJV

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they kept {G2902} that saying {G3056} with {G4314} themselves {G1438}, questioning one with another {G4802} what {G5101} the rising {G450} from {G1537} the dead {G3498} should mean {G2076}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So they kept the matter to themselves; but they continued asking each other, "What is this `rising from the dead'?"

Berean Standard Bible

So they kept this matter to themselves, discussing what it meant to rise from the dead.

American Standard Version

And they kept the saying, questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following the awe-inspiring Transfiguration, Mark 9:10 captures the profound bewilderment of Peter, James, and John as they descended the mountain with Jesus. Despite witnessing His divine glory and hearing the Father's voice, they grappled with Jesus' enigmatic command to keep the vision secret until the "Son of man was risen from the dead." This statement, challenging their preconceived notions of a conquering Messiah, provoked intense internal discussion and questioning among them about the nature and meaning of such a resurrection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is immediately preceded by the pivotal event of the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8), where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus' divine glory, conversed with Moses and Elijah, and heard God the Father's affirming voice. As they descended the mountain, Jesus issued a direct command in [Mark 9:9](/mark/9-9 "Mark 9:9 - Jesus' Command After the Transfiguration"): "Tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead." It is this specific, perplexing instruction that directly precipitates the disciples' internal questioning in [Mark 9:10](/mark/9-10 "Mark 9:10 - Disciples Question the Resurrection"). The narrative skillfully juxtaposes the dazzling revelation of Jesus' divine identity with the disciples' profound confusion regarding His impending suffering and resurrection, highlighting their limited understanding despite privileged access to divine truth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Jewish people of Jesus' time largely anticipated a Messiah who would be a powerful, conquering king, liberating Israel from Roman oppression and establishing an earthly kingdom, as prophesied in many Old Testament passages (e.g., [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prophecy of the Messiah's Reign")). While belief in a general resurrection at the end of time was common among certain groups like the Pharisees ([Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Resurrection of the Dead")), the notion of the Messiah suffering, dying, and then rising *before* establishing His kingdom was entirely alien and contradictory to their nationalistic hopes. This cultural expectation made Jesus' repeated predictions of His passion and resurrection a significant stumbling block for His disciples, leading to their deep confusion and internal debate.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:10 significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it underscores the **Disciples' Limited Understanding** of Jesus' true mission and identity. Despite being eyewitnesses to His miracles and divine glory, they consistently struggled to grasp the necessity of His suffering and resurrection, a theme reiterated throughout Mark's Gospel (e.g., [Mark 4:13](/mark/4-13 "Mark 4:13 - Disciples' Lack of Understanding"), [Mark 6:52](/mark/6-52 "Mark 6:52 - Disciples' Hardened Hearts"), [Mark 8:17-21](/mark/8-17-21 "Mark 8:17-21 - Jesus Rebukes Disciples' Dullness")). Secondly, it highlights the **Centrality of the Resurrection** to Jesus' redemptive plan. Even before His crucifixion, Jesus consistently emphasized His future resurrection, signaling its foundational importance to His identity as the Christ and to the gospel message itself. Finally, the verse reveals the **Divine Mystery** inherent in God's plan of salvation, which often defies human logic and preconceived notions, requiring faith and progressive revelation to fully comprehend.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kept (Greek, _kratéō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "strength," _kratéō_ signifies to seize, hold fast, or retain. Here, it implies that the disciples held onto Jesus' "saying" (G3056) not merely as a memory, but as something they pondered, discussed, and struggled to comprehend. They did not dismiss it, but rather retained it as a perplexing point of contention.
* **saying (Greek, _lógos'_):** This term refers to "something said," a word, discourse, or communication. In this context, it specifically points to Jesus' enigmatic statement about the "Son of man" rising from the dead. The disciples held onto this particular _lógos_ because it was both authoritative (coming from Jesus) and deeply perplexing, prompting their internal inquiry.
* **questioning one with another (Greek, _syzētéō'_):** This compound word, formed from "with" (σύν) and "to seek" (ζητέω), means "to investigate jointly," "to discuss," or "to dispute." It indicates an active, perhaps even intense, debate or inquiry among the three disciples. Their questioning was not a casual inquiry but a concerted effort to understand a profound mystery that challenged their worldview.
* **rising (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** This word means "to stand up," "to arise," or "to raise up again." In the context of "rising from the dead," it clearly denotes a literal, physical resurrection from the state of death. The disciples' confusion was not about the possibility of resurrection in general (as they believed in a future general resurrection), but rather its application to the Messiah and its timing *before* the establishment of the kingdom.
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** This term refers to a "corpse" or one who is "dead," literally or figuratively. When combined with _anístēmi_, it forms the phrase "rising from the dead," unequivocally pointing to a reversal of physical death. The disciples understood the literal meaning of "dead," but the concept of Jesus, the Messiah, becoming "dead" and then rising was the source of their profound bewilderment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they kept that saying with themselves":** This clause reveals the disciples' immediate response to Jesus' command in [Mark 9:9](/mark/9-9 "Mark 9:9 - Jesus' Command After the Transfiguration"). They did not forget or dismiss His words, but rather retained them, holding them in their minds for contemplation. The phrase "with themselves" suggests a private, internal struggle and discussion among the privileged three (Peter, James, and John) who had just witnessed the Transfiguration. They were wrestling with a truth that was too profound and contradictory to their expectations to simply ignore.
* **"questioning one with another":** This part highlights the active, collaborative nature of their confusion. Their perplexity was not solitary but shared, leading to an earnest discussion or debate. The Greek term implies a joint investigation or dispute, indicating that they were actively trying to reconcile Jesus' statement with their understanding of the Messiah and the kingdom of God. This mutual questioning underscores the deep challenge Jesus' prophecy posed to their existing theological framework.
* **"what the rising from the dead should mean."** This final clause pinpoints the precise object of their confusion. It wasn't the *fact* of resurrection that puzzled them, as they held a general belief in a future resurrection. Instead, their bewilderment stemmed from *what it meant* for the Messiah to die and rise, and *how* this specific "rising from the dead" applied to Jesus, the Son of Man, *before* the final eschatological events. They struggled to fit this concept into their Messianic paradigm, which envisioned a triumphant, earthly reign, not a suffering and resurrected Lord.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:10 effectively employs **Foreshadowing** by highlighting Jesus' repeated predictions of His death and resurrection, even as the disciples struggle to comprehend them. This verse serves as a crucial moment where the future central event of the gospel is explicitly mentioned, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the reader, possessing the benefit of hindsight, understands the profound significance of Jesus' words, while the disciples remain in a state of bewilderment. This creates tension and emphasizes the gradual, often difficult, process of divine revelation. Furthermore, the passage contributes to the **Thematic Repetition** of the disciples' spiritual dullness and their inability to grasp the true nature of Jesus' mission, a recurring motif throughout Mark's Gospel that underscores the need for divine illumination.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:10 serves as a profound theological touchstone, illustrating the radical nature of God's redemptive plan, which often defies human expectation and logic. The disciples' confusion underscores the necessity of divine revelation to comprehend spiritual truths, especially the paradox of a suffering Messiah. What was a perplexing mystery to them—the "rising from the dead"—would ultimately become the very cornerstone of the Christian faith, demonstrating God's power over sin and death and validating Jesus' identity as the Christ. This passage reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His wisdom often unfolds in ways that initially challenge our understanding, preparing us for deeper truths that can only be fully grasped through faith and the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

* [Mark 8:31](/mark/8-31 "Mark 8:31 - Jesus' First Prediction of His Death")
* [Luke 24:44-46](/luke/24-44-46 "Luke 24:44-46 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures After Resurrection")
* [1 Corinthians 15:3-4](/1_corinthians/15-3-4 "1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - The Core of the Gospel Message")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The disciples' struggle in Mark 9:10 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Their privileged position as eyewitnesses to the Transfiguration did not automatically grant them full understanding of God's plan. This reminds us that spiritual comprehension is often a progressive journey, requiring patience, humility, and persistent engagement with God's Word. We, too, may encounter biblical truths that challenge our preconceived notions or seem paradoxical. Rather than dismissing them, this verse encourages us to "keep that saying with ourselves," wrestling with difficult concepts, discussing them with fellow believers, and seeking deeper insight through prayer and study. It teaches us to embrace the mystery inherent in divine revelation, trusting that God will illuminate His truth in His perfect timing. Ultimately, the resurrection, which was a source of confusion for them, is for us the bedrock of hope, transforming our understanding of life, death, and eternal victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "sayings" or biblical truths do I currently "keep with myself," struggling to fully comprehend or reconcile with my own expectations?**
* **How do I typically respond when faced with a theological concept that challenges my understanding or seems paradoxical? Do I question, dismiss, or seek deeper insight?**
* **In what ways can I be more patient with my own spiritual growth and the spiritual journeys of others, recognizing that understanding often unfolds progressively?**
* **How does the historical and cultural context of the disciples' confusion help me appreciate the radical nature of Jesus' resurrection and its centrality to my faith?**

### FAQ

**Why were the disciples confused about "rising from the dead" when they believed in resurrection?**

Answer: The disciples' confusion was not about the general concept of resurrection, as many Jews, particularly the Pharisees, believed in a future resurrection of the dead at the end of time ([Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Resurrection of the Dead")). Their bewilderment stemmed from two key factors: firstly, the idea of the Messiah *dying* at all, which contradicted their expectation of a conquering, reigning king who would establish an earthly kingdom. Secondly, the concept of the Messiah *rising from the dead* *before* the general resurrection and *before* establishing His kingdom was unprecedented and did not fit their Messianic paradigm. They struggled to reconcile Jesus' prophecy with their deeply ingrained hopes for a political and nationalistic deliverance, as evidenced by their later question in [Acts 1:6](/acts/1-6 "Acts 1:6 - Disciples' Kingdom Expectations") about restoring the kingdom to Israel.

**Did the disciples ever fully understand the meaning of the resurrection?**

Answer: Not immediately. Their full understanding of the resurrection's meaning and necessity came progressively. Even after Jesus' actual resurrection, they were initially slow to believe and grasp its implications ([John 20:9](/john/20-9 "John 20:9 - Disciples Did Not Understand Scripture")). It was only after Jesus appeared to them post-resurrection, "opening their minds to understand the Scriptures" ([Luke 24:45](/luke/24-45 "Luke 24:45 - Jesus Opens Their Minds")), and especially after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, that they fully comprehended. The Holy Spirit illuminated the Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering and resurrection of the Messiah, enabling them to boldly proclaim this truth ([Acts 2:24-36](/acts/2-24-36 "Acts 2:24-36 - Peter's Pentecost Sermon")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The disciples' bewildered questioning in Mark 9:10, "what the rising from the dead should mean," finds its glorious and definitive fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. What was an inscrutable mystery to them became the very cornerstone of the New Covenant and the power of the gospel message. Jesus' resurrection, the event they struggled to comprehend, is the ultimate vindication of His divine identity as the Son of God ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")) and the triumphant declaration of His victory over sin, death, and the grave ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). He is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ as Firstfruits")), guaranteeing the future resurrection and eternal life for all who believe in Him. Through His resurrection, Jesus has "destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery" ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys Death")). Thus, the perplexing "rising from the dead" became the revealed power of God, offering hope, redemption, and new life to a world once enslaved by death.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 17:18

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.

Luke 24:7

Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

Luke 24:8

And they remembered his words,

Matthew 16:22

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

John 12:16

These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when Jesus was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and [that] they had done these things unto him.

Genesis 37:11

And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Mark 9:32

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.