Mark 9:30-50

The Second Prediction of His Death

30 Then they left that place and made their way through Galilee, but He did not want anyone to know it.
31 For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed [a] into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after He is killed, He will rise three days later."
32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.

Who is the Greatest?

33 Then they came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"
34 But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, He called the Twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."
36 Then He took a child, had him stand among them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them,
37 "Whoever welcomes [b] one little child such as this in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me, but Him who sent Me."

In His Name

38 John said to Him, "Teacher, we saw someone[c] driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he wasn't following us."
39 "Don't stop him," said Jesus, "because there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name who can soon afterwards speak evil of Me.
40 For whoever is not against us is for us.
41 And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of My name, [d] since you belong to the Messiah-I assure you: He will never lose his reward.

Warnings from Jesus

42 "But whoever causes the downfall of one of these little ones who believe in Me-it would be better for him if a heavy millstone [e] were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
43 And if your hand causes your downfall, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell-the unquenchable fire, [
44 where Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. ] [f] [g]
45 And if your foot causes your downfall, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell- [the unquenchable fire,
46 where Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. ] [h] [i]
47 And if your eye causes your downfall, gouge it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
48 where Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. [j]
49 For everyone will be salted with fire. [k] [l]
50 Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you make it salty? Have salt among yourselves and be at peace with one another."

Footnotes 12

  • [a]. Or handed over
  • [b]. Or Whoever receives
  • [c]. Other mss add who didn't go along with us
  • [d]. Lit drink in the name; Messiah
  • [e]. A millstone turned by a donkey
  • [f]. Other mss omit bracketed text
  • [g]. Isaiah 66:24
  • [h]. Other mss omit bracketed text
  • [i]. Isaiah 66:24
  • [j]. Isaiah 66:24
  • [k]. Other mss add and every sacrifice will be salted with salt
  • [l]. Lv 2:16; Ezk 43:24
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