2 Six days later , Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John , and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves e . And He was transfigured before them; 3 and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white , as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah appeared to them along with Moses ; and they were talking with Jesus . 5 Peter said to Jesus , " Rabbi , it is good for us to be here ; let us make three tabernacles , one for You, and one for Moses , and one for Elijah ." 6 For he did not know what to answer ; for they became terrified . 7 Then a cloud formed , overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud , " This is My beloved Son , listen to Him!" 8 All at once they looked around and saw no one with them anymore , except Jesus alone . 9 As they were coming down from the mountain , He gave them orders not to relate to anyone what they had seen , until e e the Son of Man rose from the dead . 10 They seized upon that statement , discussing with one another what rising from the dead meant . 11 They asked Him, saying , "Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first ?" 12 And He said to them, "Elijah does first come and restore all things . And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt ? 13 "But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come , and they did to him whatever they wished , just as it is written of him."
14 When they came back to the disciples , they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 9:2-14
Commentary on Mark 9:1-13
(Read Mark 9:1-13)
Here is a prediction of the near approach Christ's kingdom. A glimpse of that kingdom was given in the transfiguration of Christ. It is good to be away from the world, and alone with Christ: and how good to be with Christ glorified in heaven with all the saints! But when it is well with us, we are apt not to care for others, and in the fulness of our enjoyments, we forget the many wants of our brethren. God owns Jesus, and accepts him as his beloved Son, and is ready to accept us in him. Therefore we must own and accept him as our beloved Saviour, and must give up ourselves to be ruled by him. Christ does not leave the soul, when joys and comforts leave it. Jesus explained to the disciples the prophecy about Elias. This was very suitable to the ill usage of John Baptist.
Commentary on Mark 9:14-29
(Read Mark 9:14-29)
The father of the suffering youth reflected on the want of power in the disciples; but Christ will have him reckon the disappointment to the want of faith. Very much is promised to our believing. If thou canst believe, it is possible that thy hard heart may be softened, thy spiritual diseases may be cured; and, weak as thou art, thou mayest be able to hold out to the end. Those that complain of unbelief, must look up to Christ for grace to help them against it, and his grace will be sufficient for them. Whom Christ cures, he cures effectually. But Satan is unwilling to be driven from those that have been long his slaves, and, when he cannot deceive or destroy the sinner, he will cause him all the terror that he can. The disciples must not think to do their work always with the same ease; some services call for more than ordinary pains.