Mark 9:15

And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to [him] saluted him.

And {G2532} straightway {G2112} all {G3956} the people {G3793}, when they beheld {G1492} him {G846}, were greatly amazed {G1568}, and {G2532} running to {G4370} him saluted {G782} him {G846}.

As soon as the crowd saw him, they were surprised and ran out to greet him.

As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were filled with awe and ran to greet Him.

And straightway all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

Commentary

Mark 9:15 (KJV) describes the immediate and profound reaction of a crowd to Jesus as He descended from the mountain after His Transfiguration. The verse highlights the awe and reverence people felt in His presence, contrasting with the spiritual struggles that would soon follow.

Context

This verse immediately follows the pivotal event of the Transfiguration of Jesus, where He was revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John. Having descended from the mountain, Jesus re-enters the public scene. The crowd's reaction is likely due to His sudden appearance, perhaps still bearing a residual glow or an overwhelming presence from His divine encounter. This setting also foreshadows the spiritual struggles the remaining disciples were having below, unable to cast out a demon (Mark 9:18), which Jesus addresses next.

Key Themes

  • Divine Awe and Amazement: The people were "greatly amazed," indicating a profound sense of wonder, reverence, and perhaps even fear at beholding Jesus. This reaction underscores the extraordinary and divine nature of His person.
  • Immediate Response: The phrase "straightway" and the description of them "running to him" emphasize the urgency and eagerness of the crowd's approach. Their amazement led to an immediate desire to greet and acknowledge Him.
  • Jesus' Unique Presence: The verse subtly points to a powerful, undeniable presence emanating from Jesus that elicited such a strong, collective reaction from the multitude.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "greatly amazed" is ekthambeล (แผฮบฮธฮฑฮผฮฒฮญฯ‰). This is a strong term in the New Testament, particularly frequent in Mark's Gospel. It conveys a sense of being utterly astonished, dumbfounded, or even terrified, often in response to a supernatural or awe-inspiring event. It suggests a reaction beyond mere surprise, implying a deep, visceral impact. Mark uses this same word to describe the disciples' fear during the storm (Mark 4:41) and the women's terror at the empty tomb (Mark 16:5-6). This linguistic nuance highlights the profound impact Jesus' appearance had on the crowd.

Practical Application

Mark 9:15 serves as a powerful reminder of how we should approach Jesus. Do we recognize His unique and divine presence in our lives? The crowd's immediate and awe-filled response challenges us to cultivate a similar eagerness and reverence in seeking Christ. In a world often distracted, this verse calls for an urgent, heartfelt recognition of Jesus' authority and glory, leading us to actively "salute" or welcome Him into our daily experience, much like the people who "running to him saluted him."

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 9:2

    And after six days Jesus taketh [with him] Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

  • Mark 9:3

    And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

  • Exodus 34:30

    And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.
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