Mark 9 Mark 9:2–10 The transfiguration of Christ. Mark 9:11–13 He instructs his disciples concerning the coming of Elias. Mark 9:14–29 He casteth out a dumb and deaf spirit.

To taste of death, is the same with to die, or to begin to die, or to experience death: compare with this text Ps. 34:8, Luke 14:24, John 8:52, Heb. 2:9, Heb. 6:4–5, 1 Pet. 2:3. Till they have seen the kingdom of God come: our evangelist addeth, with power.

Both Matthew and Luke, as well as Mark, bear record to the truth of this history: See Poole on “Matt. 17:1”, and following verses to Matt. 17:9. Our Saviour was pleased thus to fortify these three of his disciples against his passion, which they were soon to see; and also to confirm their faith as…

Christ had been telling his disciples that he should suffer. The Jews had a prophecy, not only that the Messias should come, but that he should be cut off, but not for himself, Dan. 9:26.

When Christ came down from the mountain of transfiguration to his disciples, whom he had left at the foot of the mountain, he saw a great multitude got together about them, and discerned some scribes (companions of the Pharisees and teachers of the law) mixing themselves with his disciples, and…

This famous history is also recorded by two other evangelists, Matthew and Luke; we have opened it in our notes on Matt. 17:14–21; (See Poole on “Matt. 17:14”, and following verses to Matt. 17:21) and considered what Mark and Luke have to complete it.

Our Saviour, as the time of his suffering approached more nearly, did more frequently inculcate it to his disciples, that being forewarned, they might also be forearmed against the temptation of it; and we learn from Luke 24:21, that all was too little, for when they saw these things come to pass…

This ambition of the disciples we have had occasion before to discourse of; See Poole on “Matt. 18:1”. It has founded upon their mistake of the true nature of the kingdom of the Messiah, which they at this time, and a long time after, (even to the time of Christ’s ascension, as appeareth by Acts…

Matthew’s recital of this passage expounds Mark; he saith Christ said, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of God.

Here a question arises worthy of our discussion a little: Seeing these miraculous operations were performed by a Divine power, and for such an end as the confirmation of Christ’s Divine power, how could any one cast out devils in the name of Christ, and yet not follow him and his disciples? 1.

We meet with the same in substance, Matt. 10:42; there the phrase is, in the name of a disciple; here it is expounded, because ye belong to Christ. In my name; upon my account, believing you have a relation to me.

See Poole on “Matt. 18:6”.

See Poole on “Matt. 5:29–30”, where the same things occur. Matthew only mentions the hand and the eye. All have the same significance, viz. that it is better to deny ourselves in some particular satisfaction, than to hazard eternal salvation for the gratifying the appetite in it.

The phrase of this text is so difficult, and the sense of it so necessary to be understood, that it hath deservedly exercised the parts of many interpreters, and given them a latitude to abound in interpretations. Those who would rightly understand it, 1.

We met with the former part of this verse: See Poole on “Matt. 5:13”. In that text he compared his disciples, whether preachers or others, to salt, because by their doctrine, and holy life and example, they as it were kept the world sweet.