Mark 9:16

KJV

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he asked {G1905} the scribes {G1122}, What {G5101} question ye {G4802} with {G4314} them {G846}?

Complete Jewish Bible

He asked them, "What's the discussion about?"

Berean Standard Bible

“What are you disputing with them?” He asked.

American Standard Version

And he asked them, What question ye with them?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:16 captures a pivotal moment as Jesus descends from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples embroiled in a heated dispute with the scribes, surrounded by a curious crowd. His direct question, "What question ye with them?", immediately cuts through the commotion, asserting His authoritative presence and setting the stage for a profound demonstration of His power over spiritual forces and a crucial teaching on faith and prayer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic [Transfiguration of Jesus](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark 9:2-8 - The Transfiguration of Jesus"), where Peter, James, and John witnessed Jesus' divine glory alongside Moses and Elijah. Upon descending from the mountain, Jesus, with these three disciples, encounters a chaotic scene at the base where the remaining nine disciples are struggling. The preceding verses (Mark 9:9-13) detail Jesus' instruction to the inner circle not to speak of the Transfiguration until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead, and their subsequent discussion about Elijah's return. The immediate context leading up to verse 16 is the disciples' failed attempt to cast out a demon from a boy, which is the underlying cause of the dispute Jesus encounters, as revealed in [Mark 9:17-18](/mark/9-17-18 "Mark 9:17-18 - The Demonic Boy and Disciples' Failure").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scribes (γραμματεῖς, _grammateús'_) were highly educated Jewish scholars and interpreters of the Law, often associated with the Pharisees. They held significant religious and social authority and frequently challenged Jesus' teachings, authority, and methods, viewing Him as a threat to their established traditions and interpretations. Public disputes and debates were common in this period, particularly between different religious schools or figures. The presence of a "multitude" indicates a public spectacle, where the scribes would have sought to discredit Jesus' disciples and, by extension, Jesus Himself, especially after their public failure to perform an exorcism. Exorcism was a recognized practice, but its success was attributed to divine power, and failure could be seen as a lack of such power or divine favor.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:16 introduces and reinforces several key themes prevalent in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' Authority and Sovereignty**, as He steps into a scene of confusion and immediately takes command, demonstrating His control over both human conflict and spiritual impotence. Secondly, it underscores the **Opposition to Jesus and His Ministry**, primarily from the religious establishment represented by the scribes, who consistently challenged Him and His followers (see [Mark 2:6-7](/mark/2-6-7 "Mark 2:6-7 - Scribes Question Jesus' Authority") and [Mark 3:22](/mark/3-22 "Mark 3:22 - Scribes Accuse Jesus of Being Possessed")). Thirdly, the verse subtly points to the **Disciples' Struggle and Lack of Understanding**, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching on the necessity of faith and prayer for effective ministry, a theme that recurs as the disciples often misunderstand Jesus' mission and power, as seen in [Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Peter Rebukes Jesus")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Scribes (Greek, _grammateús'_):** Refers to a writer or secretary, but professionally, an expert in Jewish law and tradition. In the Gospels, they are often depicted as opponents of Jesus, challenging His authority and interpreting the Law in a way that often conflicted with His teachings. Their presence here signifies a theological and authoritative challenge to Jesus' disciples.
* **Asked (Greek, _eperōtáō'_):** Meaning "to ask for," "inquire," or "seek." Jesus' asking is not out of ignorance but a deliberate inquiry to bring the issue into the open and assert His presence and authority over the chaotic scene. It implies a direct engagement with the source of the dispute.
* **Question ye (Greek, _syzētéō'_):** Derived from "together" and "to seek," meaning "to investigate jointly," "discuss," "controvert," or "cavil." This word implies a contentious, disputatious, and often hostile exchange, not merely a casual conversation. It vividly portrays the heated argument between the scribes and the disciples, emphasizing the severity of the confrontation Jesus encountered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he asked the scribes":** Upon descending from the mountain, Jesus immediately turns His attention to the scribes, who appear to be at the center of the commotion. His direct address to them signifies His immediate grasp of the situation and His authoritative intervention into the ongoing dispute. This action bypasses the disciples initially, going straight to the apparent source of the contention.
* **"What question ye with them?":** This rhetorical question from Jesus cuts through the noise and directly challenges the scribes about the nature of their argument with His disciples. It is not a question seeking information, but one that demands an account and asserts His presence and authority over the situation. The use of "question ye" (syzētéō) highlights the contentious and argumentative nature of the interaction, implying a hostile debate rather than a simple inquiry.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:16 employs several **literary devices** to convey its meaning and impact. The immediate shift from the sublime glory of the Transfiguration to the earthly chaos of a dispute uses **Contrast**, highlighting the dramatic descent from divine revelation to human failure and opposition. Jesus' question, "What question ye with them?", serves as a direct **Interrogation**, not merely seeking information but asserting His authority and demanding an explanation for the conflict. This question also functions as a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the audience knows (or soon will know) the disciples' failure is the root cause, even if the scribes are the ones doing the "questioning." The scene also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as the scribes' antagonism here anticipates their continued opposition to Jesus, ultimately leading to His crucifixion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:16 powerfully illustrates Jesus' divine authority and His readiness to confront spiritual and theological opposition head-on. It underscores the reality of spiritual warfare, where the forces of darkness (manifested in the demon-possessed boy) and human unbelief (seen in the scribes' antagonism and the disciples' failure) converge. Jesus' immediate intervention demonstrates that true authority comes not from human debate or intellectual prowess, but from divine power and presence. This encounter sets the stage for a deeper revelation of faith's necessity and the power of prayer in overcoming spiritual obstacles, reminding believers that genuine spiritual victory is found in Christ alone, not in human strength or argument.

* [Matthew 17:19-20](/matthew/17-19-20 "Matthew 17:19-20 - Faith as a Mustard Seed")
* [Luke 9:37-43](/luke/9-37-43 "Luke 9:37-43 - The Healing of the Demonic Boy")
* [John 1:19-28](/john/1-19-28 "John 1:19-28 - John the Baptist Questioned by Priests and Levites")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:16 offers profound insights for contemporary believers facing spiritual and relational conflicts. Jesus' immediate and authoritative intervention teaches us the importance of addressing the root cause of disputes, especially when they stem from spiritual weakness or unbelief. Instead of allowing arguments to fester, we are called to bring them into the light of Christ's truth and authority. This verse reminds us that true resolution to conflict, particularly in the church or in our personal lives, often requires the direct and powerful presence of Jesus, whether through prayer, seeking His wisdom, or relying on His power. It challenges us to examine our own faith when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and to recognize that our failures often stem from a lack of reliance on God's power rather than a lack of effort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when I encounter conflict or heated arguments, especially within a spiritual context?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be relying on my own strength or intellect rather than the authority and power of Christ?**
* **What "disputes" or spiritual challenges in my life or community require Jesus' direct and authoritative intervention?**
* **How can I better cultivate a reliance on Christ's power and presence when facing situations that seem chaotic or beyond my control?**

### FAQ
**Why were the scribes "questioning" or "disputing" with the disciples?**

Answer: The scribes were likely exploiting the disciples' public failure to cast out a demon from a boy, as described in [Mark 9:18](/mark/9-18 "Mark 9:18 - Disciples' Failure to Cast Out a Demon"). This failure would have been a significant embarrassment for the disciples and, by extension, for Jesus. The scribes, who were often antagonistic towards Jesus and His followers, would have seized this opportunity to challenge the disciples' authority, question their power, and possibly even mock their inability, thereby attempting to discredit Jesus' ministry in the eyes of the crowd. Their "questioning" was a contentious debate, aimed at undermining the disciples' spiritual credibility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:16, though seemingly a simple question, powerfully foreshadows and exemplifies Christ's ultimate authority and His mission to confront and overcome all forms of spiritual darkness and human rebellion. Jesus' arrival and immediate assertion of control over the chaotic scene prefigure His role as the sovereign Lord who brings order out of chaos, truth into confusion, and power where there is impotence. His question to the scribes is not merely an inquiry but a divine challenge to the forces of unbelief and opposition that seek to hinder God's redemptive work. This moment points forward to the cross, where Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), would decisively defeat sin, death, and the powers of darkness, rendering all human arguments and spiritual impotence powerless before His ultimate sacrifice and resurrection. Just as He stepped into this dispute to bring healing and clarity, so too does He continue to reign as the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - Jesus, King of Kings"), exercising supreme authority over every spiritual and earthly realm, offering true liberation and spiritual power to those who place their faith in Him, as promised in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities").

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

Luke 5:30

But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

Luke 5:32

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mark 8:11

And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.