Mark 9:34
in Mark 9But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
But they held their peace: for they had disputed one with another on the way, who was the greatest.
KJV
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
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This verse in Mark 9
Commentary
12 notes on this verseWhere it is to be observed, that the disciples disputed by the way concerning the chief place, but Christ Himself sat down to teach humility; for princes toil while the humble repose.
This site's exposition
What were you discussing on the way
on Mark 9:33-35
On the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest, on the road where He had just foretold His death. He answers that the first must be the last of all and the servant of all.
This site's exposition
which of them was the greatest
Jamieson, Fausset and Brown suggest what raised the question. The recent promise of the kingdom, the transfiguration and the choice of three disciples to witness it all fed the rivalry. Matthew Henry names what the dispute broke: the two great laws of humility and love.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers2 voices
(Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.) Matthew however says, that the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (Matt. 18:1) The reason is, that he did not begin the narrative from its commencement, but omitted our Saviour's knowledge of the thoughts and words of His disciples; unless we understand Him to mean, that even what they thought and said, when away from Christ, was said unto Him, since it was as well known to Him as if it had been said to Him.
Observe a tree, how it first tends downwards, that it may then shoot forth upwards. It fastens its root low in the ground, that it may send forth its top towards heaven. Is it not from humility that it endeavors to rise? But without humility it will not attain to higher things. You are wanting to grow up into the air without a root. Such is not growth, but a collapse.
The Medieval Church2 voices
Capernaum means the city of consolation, and agrees with the former sentence, which He had spoken: And after that he is killed, he shall arise the third day. There follows: And being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace. It was fit also that they should dispute concerning the chief place by the way; the dispute is like the place where it is held; for lofty station is only entered upon to be quitted: as long as a man keeps it, it is slippery, and it is uncertain at what stage, that is, on what day, it will end.
The disciples, still having human thoughts, were arguing among themselves about which of them was greater and more honored by Christ.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
Nothing could be more contrary to the two great laws of Christ's kingdom, lessons of his school, and instructions of his example, which are humility and love, than desiring preferment in the world, and disputing about it.
4 more voices on this verse
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
But they held their peace,....
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
This raised the whole question afresh, and at this point our Evangelist takes it up. The subject was suggested by the recent announcement of the Kingdom (Mt 16:19-28), the transfiguration of their Master, and especially the preference given to three of them at that scene.
A commentator
J.C. Ryle1816–1900
Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition) (1857)
proposed
The dullness of the disciples in spiritual things appears once more, as soon as this announcement was made. There was good in the tidings as well as seeming evil — sweet as well as bitter — life as well as death — the resurrection as well as the cross. But it was all darkness to the bewildered twelve. "They did not understand what He was saying, and were afraid to ask." Their minds were still full of their mistaken ideas of their Master's reign upon earth. They thought that His earthly kingdom was immediately to appear. Never are we so slow to understand, as when prejudice and pre-conceived opinions darken our eyes. The immense importance of our Lord's death and resurrection comes out strongly in this fresh announcement which He makes. It is not for nothing that He reminds us again that He must die. He would have us know that His death was the great end for which He came into the world. He would remind us that by that death the great problem was to be solved — how God could be just, and yet justify sinners. He did not come upon earth merely to teach, and preach, and work miracles. He came to make satisfaction for sin, by His own blood and suffering on the cross. Let us never forget this. The incarnation, and example, and words of Christ, are all of deep importance. But the grand object which demands our notice in the history of His earthly ministry, is His death on Calvary. Let us mark, in the second place, in these verses, the ambition and love of pre-eminence which the apostles exhibited. "By the way they disputed among themselves who was the greatest." How strange this sounds! Who would have thought that a few fishermen and publicans could have been overcome by envious rivalry, and the desire of supremacy?
Who should be the greatest - See on Mat 18:1-5 (note).
The words behind it
12 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| οἱ | hoi | <the> | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| δὲ | de | And | G1161 → | 2765 times |
| ἐσιώπων· | esiopon | they were silent; | G4623 → | 10 times |
| πρὸς | pros | with | G4314 → | 700 times |
| ἀλλήλους | allelous | one another | G240 → | 100 times |
| γὰρ | gar | for | G1063 → | 1039 times |
| διελέχθησαν | dielechthesan | they had been discussing | G1256 → | |
| ἐν | en | along | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| τῇ | tea | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| ὁδῷ | hodo | road | G3598 → | 101 times |
| τίς | tis | which [was] | G5101 → | 563 times |
| μείζων.¶ | meizon | greatest. | G3173 → | 243 times |
οἱ<the>
hoiG3588 →19766 times
δὲAnd
deG1161 →2765 times
ἐσιώπων·they were silent;
esioponG4623 →10 times
πρὸςwith
prosG4314 →700 times
ἀλλήλουςone another
allelousG240 →100 times
γὰρfor
garG1063 →1039 times
διελέχθησανthey had been discussing
dielechthesanG1256 →
ἐνalong
enG1722 →2738 times
τῇthe
teaG3588 →19766 times
ὁδῷroad
hodoG3598 →101 times
τίςwhich [was]
tisG5101 →563 times
μείζων.¶greatest.
meizonG3173 →243 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Romans 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
it leads to
- Philippians 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- John 13:34–35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
- Hebrews 13:1
Continue in brotherly love.
- 1 John 4:11
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
- 1 Peter 3:8–9
Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble.
- Philippians 2:3
Through
Mark 9:50Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
it leads to
- Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
- Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and…
- Colossians 4:6
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies17
On this verse
On this chapter
About Mark
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Augustine of Hippo, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, SERMON 38; J. C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Mark; J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Mark (lightly modernized text, Grace Gems edition); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Pseudo-Chrysostom, Catena Aurea by Aquinas; Pseudo-Jerome, Catena Aurea by Aquinas and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Mark.