Mark 9:33-37

  Setting  As Jesus and his disciples are heading south toward Jerusalem they come to Capernaum, which is located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.  Although Jesus grew up in Nazareth we find him going to live in Capernaum after he learns of the imprisonment of John the Baptist. Matthew 4:12-17, Isaiah 9:1-2  Even though Jesus is obviously well known in his hometown Mark makes no mention of a public ministry.

  Parallel Accounts  Matthew 18:1-5, Luke 9:46-48  Matthew adds the phrase “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 18:3  Luke states that Jesus had the child stand beside him, while Mark tells us that he had the child “stand among them. Taking him in his arms,” Luke 9:47

  Perspective  While Jesus’ eyes are fixed on martyrdom, they are preoccupied with the question of status. While Jesus is talking of rejection and death, they are apparently thinking of a continuing movement in which leadership will be an issue. But God’s kingship will come about through defeat, not victory, and within it the world’s values are turned upside down; the first are last, and the last first (10:31). So the process of reorientation continues through the lowly example of a child.  (R.T. France, The Gospel of Mark (The New International Greek Testament Commentary), published by Eerdmans, 2002, page 373.

  The Argument among the Disciples  We do not know the cause of this argument, but we do know that it had to do with who was the greatest of the disciples.  Jesus question to them about what they were arguing about caused them to keep quiet. We can probably presume that they kept quiet because they knew that their discussion was not the best of discussions.

  Teaching of Jesus  Servanthood  The example of Jesus himself in giving himself for the salvation of all those that the Father had given him becomes the ultimate picture of being “other-person centered.” Mark 10:45  The life of the believer is to be characterized by being “other-person centered.”  Philippians 2:3-4  Even in the realm of talking to each other the believer is to be “other-person centered” in his speech. Ephesians 4:29

  Teaching of Jesus  Significance of Others, Even Children  In Matthew Jesus tells the disciples that they must become like little children to enter the kingdom of God. To be a child is to embrace insignificance. Matthew 18:1-4  To care for a child in the name of Jesus is to honor Jesus Christ. This same idea can be found in the parable of the sheep and goats. Matthew 25:45  If a believer honors Jesus Christ he is showing honor to God the Father of heaven and earth.  In Luke, to put others above yourself is to be “great.” Luke 9:48