Session 6
Mark 8:31-9:1
Memory Verse: Mark 8:34
In 1897, Charles Sheldon published In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? The novel is about a pastor who challenges his church members to consider what Jesus would do in every situation—good and bad—they faced. The popularity of Sheldon’s novel cannot be denied, and the question it raises—What would Jesus do?—cannot be ignored. We’re aware that Jesus has called us to follow Him in a way that points people toward Him. Asking ourselves how He would do that can be an important step for translating awareness into action.
In Mark 8:31–9:1, Jesus taught His disciples how to follow Him. As you study the passage for this week, focus on Jesus’s expectations and demands for you. Identify areas of your life where “WWJD?” needs to shift from being a catchy slogan to a genuine motivation for your words and actions.
While the game “Follow the Leader” might have been entertaining to play in one’s childhood, most adults would rather be the one who is in charge. Our sense of self-autonomy may be challenged by a request from a leader to follow them. At the very least, we prefer a neutral position. When given the options to “lead, follow, or get out of the way,” some would choose the latter. (PSG, p. 55)
As Mark approached the midpoint of his Gospel, he also identified a shift in Jesus’s ministry and attention. Along with healing (7:24–8:10,22-25) and teaching (8:11-21,27-30), Christ began to prepare Himself and His disciples for the next steps in His mission. In particular, this included a focus on the cross.
Outside of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus had quizzed His followers on public opinion regarding Him. More to the point, He asked what they thought about Him. Speaking for the group, Peter confessed that Jesus was the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. However, the encouragement of this divine revelation was short-lived as the disciples fell back into their normal mode of misunderstanding and disbelief.
In the disciples’ minds (as with most Jews of the day), the Messiah was viewed as a conquering hero who would overthrow Roman rule and re-establish the throne of David in Jerusalem. However, this popular concept sounded nothing like the suffering and death described by Jesus (8:31-33).
As Peter foolishly tried to correct Jesus’s theology, he found himself on the receiving end of a sharp rebuke. Jesus recognized the work of the enemy in Peter’s words and refused any suggestion that His mission could be accomplished without the cross.
To emphasize His point, Jesus reminded the disciples that suffering was not reserved for the Master. Each of them would be required to carry their own crosses. Some might do that literally through martyrdom, but all of them would be sacrificing something as they walked deeper and farther into their kingdom service. Yet, the pain and suffering would not go unnoticed. Regardless of the trials on earth, the eternal reward would make every sacrifice worthwhile.
From there, Jesus made a somewhat mysterious statement about individuals who would see the glory of God before they tasted death. In context of this section of teaching, readers can understand this as a reference to the Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection. This would be the ultimate example of sacrifice and provide the ultimate proof of His position and His glory. The apostles and other disciples who remained loyal to Him would get the chance to see this demonstration of authority and majesty sooner than any of them imagined.
In addition, the comment provided Mark with a literary transition to the next account in his Gospel. Along with talking about His resurrection, Jesus also may have been hinting at the glory three of His disciples saw on the Mount of Transfiguration, which happened to be the next stage in Mark’s narrative (9:2-13).
Read Mark 8:31–9:1. What examples do you find that describe or illustrate what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ? What examples do you find that represent a failure of that disciple?
EXPLORE THE TEXT
31 Then he began to teach them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He spoke openly about this. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.”
(v. 31) Began to teach: Jesus had just talked with His disciples about His identity. In response, Peter had declared that Jesus was the Messiah sent by God. While the disciples (and most other Jews) were expecting a Messiah who was going to conquer Israel’s enemies and establish an earthly kingdom, Jesus set a much different expectation. He didn’t refer to Himself as the Messiah, but as the Son of Man. Jesus used this title for Himself eighty-one times in the Gospels. It is also noteworthy that the term was used more than ninety times in the book of Ezekiel.
(v. 31) Elders, chief priests, and scribes: As Jesus began teaching the disciples, He told them that many things were going to happen to Him and that everything was necessary because everything was part of God’s ultimate plan. He named three different groups of people that would ultimately reject Him. The elders, the chief priests and the scribes made up the Sanhedrin, which was similar to a religious Supreme Court located in Jerusalem. They were among the religious elite who had been fighting with Jesus since the early days of His ministry. Jesus made it clear that they would continue their battle until they saw Him dead.(v. 31) Rise: Despite the disturbing message of His death, Jesus affirmed that the tomb would not be the end. On the other side of the cross would come His resurrection. By mentioning three days, Jesus echoed Hosea’s hopeful prophecy about being raised up after three days (Hos. 6:1-2).
(v. 32) Spoke openly: Jesus didn’t pull any punches as he talked about the things that were going to happen to him. He didn’t try to hide anything. He wanted His followers to know the truth and to be prepared for the coming events. He was starting His final journey toward Jerusalem, so they needed to be ready.
Openness characterized His discourse in this episode, and it would continue to characterize future conversations with His friends. He would keep talking with them about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection (Mark 9:31; 10:33-34).
(v. 32) Peter took him aside: Peter was uncomfortable with what Jesus was saying, largely because he shared the common messianic expectations of the day. He could not comprehend a Messiah who was going to suffer, much less die. The word rebuke means to criticize sharply. In hindsight, believers understand how brash and impulsive Peter could be. However, while Peter was the one doing the rebuking, the other disciples would have shared the sentiment.
(v. 33) Get behind me, Satan: Jesus used the same basic term when He spoke directly to Satan during His temptation. Both Peter’s rebuke and the temptation in the wilderness were attempts to get Jesus to turn His attention away from His earthly mission of dying for the sins of all humanity. They suggested that salvation could be accomplished apart from the cross and God’s eternal plan.
Jesus’s response to Peter was extremely severe and emphasized that there would be no shortcut to salvation. The fact that He faced the other disciples indicates that the words were spoken to them as well. No one was going to stand in the way of Him accomplishing His God-given mission.
Emphasizing satanic opposition, Jesus told the disciples that their point of view was more concerned with the things of the world than the ways of God. The Father’s plan was totally different from their expectations. God’s plan was the way of the cross. As a result, Jesus had to respond this way so the disciples could understand His identity and His purposes.
34 Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life? 37 What can anyone give in exchange for his life? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
(v. 34) Follow after me: While Jesus had been talking to the disciples, the crowds were never far away. So, he turned to all of those who were with Him to share what it meant to be a Christ follower.
(v. 34) Deny himself: Turning to the gathered crowd, Jesus listed a series of requirements for those who would follow Him. As noted, He wasn’t just speaking to the apostles in this setting. He was offering an open invitation to anyone who was willing to become His disciple.
The first requirement for such an individual is to deny himself. The Greek word aparneomai can also mean to renounce something or someone. That is, those who choose to follow Jesus must say no to their own plans and desires. Self has no place or authority in God’s kingdom. This doesn’t mean that they must reject their God-given personality or die as a martyr, but it does mean that Christ ultimately stands at the center of His followers’ lives. Everything filters through Him.
(v. 34) Take up his cross: In addition, Jesus taught that an individual must take up his cross. Bearing a cross would have raised a disturbing image in the minds of Jesus’s listeners. Condemned criminals were forced to carry their crosses to their own execution sites in an act of submission to Rome. Carrying a cross was a symbol of humiliation, shame, suffering, and death. Even though the cross was a Roman method of execution, it would have been quite familiar to first-century Jews.
As we take up our cross to follow Christ, we demonstrate our humility and our submission to God. It represents our commitment to live in obedience to His Word and to God’s will every day. While the cross suggests suffering, it also provides us with the strength and freedom to face life without any hesitation for the sake of the gospel.
(v. 34) Follow me: Jesus concluded His list of requirements by coming back full circle to the issue of following; but this time, He was emphasizing allegiance to Him regardless of the cost.
In the Greek, follow is written in the present imperative tense, implying a command that suggests ongoing expectations. So, Jesus was indicating that believers don’t simply make a one-time decision to follow. They choose to follow Him again and again. They keep on following Christ and continue to say no to self and yes to God each day.
(v. 35) Save . . . Lose: In verse 35, Jesus fleshed out the requirements of verse 34. Those who deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him will find true life. In contrast, those who deny Christ will ultimately lose their lives.
While everyone dies physically, the death Jesus described here was spiritual and entailed an eternal separation from God’s presence. Genuine Christ followers understand the temporal nature of this life, so they are willing to sacrifice what is passing for the eternal blessings offered by Christ.
(v. 38) Ashamed of me: Jesus gave a final warning about what would happen to those who are ashamed of Him and reject His words. Such compromise carries a heavy consequence. Instead of focusing on earthly existence, Jesus pointed toward the final judgment. When everyone stands before God, those who have denied Christ will be denied by Him.
$$1 Then he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God come in power.”
(v. 1) Truly: As Jesus continued His instruction about finding life in following Him, He made a promise to His listeners. Before He made the promise, though, He underscored its validity with the word truly. In those days, when a teacher made a declaration that had the ring of truth, others would say “amen” in affirmation. Jesus made the same affirmation because the word translated “truly” is derived from the Hebrew word for “amen.” Jesus was guaranteeing the validity of His statement by His own character, not relying on external support.
Jesus made the affirmation of absolute certainty about the truth that He Himself was about to share. Anyone who followed Him could depend on Him to keep the promise that He was making that day.
(v. 1) Some standing here: Mark did not explain whether Jesus was referring to His disciples or to those who were in the crowd. He had been addressing both groups at different times in this teaching section. And it is possible that He knew that His coming announcement would involve both.
(v. 1) Not taste death: Although this verse is in chapter 9, it directly connects to Jesus’s teaching in chapter 8 and provides reassurance for those who embrace the requirements of a disciple. The words taste death are a Hebrew expression for physical death, which eventually happens to everyone.
(v. 1) Kingdom of God: Jesus began His ministry, preaching about the kingdom of God, explaining that it had come through Him (Mark 1:15a). This message of the kingdom required repentance of sin and faith in the gospel—the good news of the Messiah (1:15b). Throughout His ministry, He never failed to proclaim this good news about the kingdom of God. He validated His identity as Messiah with His message and His miracles. Now, in this pivotal episode in His ministry, He declared some of the people in His company would see the coming of God’s kingdom in power.
(v. 1) In power: Jesus stated that some in the crowd would see the power of God come in their lifetimes. As with other elements, Mark left some ambiguity as to the exact meaning of this term.
Some commentators have suggested that this was a reference to Jesus’s second coming; however, Jesus was focused on approaching events that would validate His messianic claim. And, since no one alive in that day has survived to this point in history, this particular interpretation does not seem to hold merit.
In contrast, three of His disciples would soon see His transfiguration and later provide testimony to His glory (Mark 9:2-8; 2 Pet. 1:16-18). On the mountain, Peter, James, and John saw God’s power and glory in a way no one could imagine. Also, many in the crowd would serve as witnesses to Jesus’s resurrection and the Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost, which were powerful demonstrations of God’s power and glory on earth. These provide more immediate and reasonable understandings of Jesus’s words.
It’s important to note that Jesus’s statement affirmed that God was already at work among His followers. Likewise, we can affirm that God’s power still moves in the lives of people. Every time someone accepts Jesus as Savior, He reveals His power.
Kingdom of God
First-century Jews would have been familiar with the concept of a kingdom. Their own history was rooted in a monarchy (united and divided) that spanned from the institution of Saul around 1020 BC to the Babylonian exile in 586 BC. However, the kingdom of God is not a geographic entity. Rather, it represents God’s sovereign rule and reign in the hearts of humans. In the Old Testament, God’s reign was established through Creation, through His covenant with Abraham, and through the law. In the New Testament, God’s reign is revealed through Jesus. In many ways, the kingdom is “already, but not yet.” While Jesus announced the kingdom’s arrival and sealed the covenant with His death and resurrection, God’s rule will not be fully accomplished until He returns.
God the Son
In His substitutionary death on the cross He made provision for the redemption of men from sin. (See Luke 19:10; Philippians 2:5-11.)
Compare similar commands.
List the three actions that Jesus commanded in Mark 8:34. Review the follow passages: Matthew 7:13-14; 10:34-38; Mark 1:17-18; Luke 9:57-62. What additional insight do you gain from these passages about what it means to follow Jesus?