Mar 9:33-37 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 9:33-50: 9:33-50 Because the disciples did not understand Jesus’ prediction of his suffering, they were unable to see its implications for their own lives. Summary for Mark 9:33-34: 9:33-34 Capernaum was Jesus’ home in Galilee (1:21 ; 2:1 ). • Jesus’ disciples didn’t answer his question because they knew that he would disapprove of their discussion. • about which of them was the greatest: This issue would come up again in 10:35-37 .

Summary for Mark 9:33-50: 9:33-50 ^a Because the disciples did not understand Jesus’ prediction of his suffering, they were unable to see its implications for their own lives.
Summary for Mark 9:33-34: 9:33-34 ^b Capernaum was Jesus’ home in Galilee (1:21 ^c; 2:1 ^d).

• Jesus’ disciples didn’t answer his question because they knew that he would disapprove of their discussion.

• about which of them was the greatest: This issue would come up again in 10:35-37 ^e.
9:35 ^f Jesus sat down, assuming the role of a teacher (see 4:1-2 ^g; 12:41 ^h; Matt 5:1 ⁱ; Luke 4:20 ^j; 5:3 ^k). True greatness in God’s Kingdom involves being the servant of everyone else, not the master, as Jesus would make clear by his own example in Mark 10:45 ^l.
Summary for Mark 9:36-37: 9:36-37 ^m In Jesus’ day, children were not romanticized as innocent and pure but were considered to be weak and inferior. Children were to be received on my behalf. Welcoming a child is an example of humbly taking the last place and serving everyone else (9:35 ⁿ; cp. 10:13-16 ^o). Other sayings about receiving or rejecting Jesus also involve receiving or rejecting his followers (Matt 10:40 ^p; 25:31-46 ^q; Luke 10:16 ^r; John 13:20 ^s).