Mark 9:30-50

The Second Prediction of the Passion

30 Going on from there, they passed through Galilee. But Jesus did not want anyone to know, 1
31 because He was teaching His disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.”
32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

The Greatest in the Kingdom

33 Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 2
34 But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”
36 Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them,
37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me.
40 For whoever is not against us is for us.
41 Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.

Temptations and Trespasses

42 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. 3
43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, [a] into the unquenchable fire. [b]
45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. [c]
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck 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 never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ [d]

Good Salt

49 For everyone will be salted with fire. [e] 4
50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Cross References 4

  • 1. (Matthew 17:22–23; Luke 9:43–45)
  • 2. (Matthew 18:1–5; Luke 9:46–50)
  • 3. (Matthew 18:6–9; Luke 17:1–4)
  • 4. (Matthew 5:13–16; Luke 14:34–35)

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Greek Gehenna; also in verses 45 and 47
  • [b]. BYZ and TR include 44 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched; see verse 48 and Isaiah 66:24.
  • [c]. BYZ and TR include 46 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched; see verse 48 and Isaiah 66:24.
  • [d]. Isaiah 66:24
  • [e]. BYZ and TR include and every sacrifice will be salted with salt.
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