Mark 9:34 Commentary and Bible Study

We are going to be considering ‘Christ's Conditions of Service’. This is all going to be private instruction now. First he is going to instruct the disciples about such things as rewards, and honours, and advancements. And he is going to give principles which will apply to the people of God throughout the New Testament age, to all the people of God, and of course, particularly to the servants of the gospel and the preachers and the elders and the leaders. ‘What was it that you disputed [argued and discussed] among yourselves on the journey here?’ But they held their peace. They were embarrassed, because they had been discussing who among themselves who would be the chief disciple, when Christ set up what they thought he had come for, his earthly kingdom. Who will be his Secretaries of State? Who will be his immediate subordinate authorities, clothed in grandeur, and given special office and station? Who would be significant? It was proud, it was ambitious, it was entirely self-seeking. Who would get honours and rewards and advancement? So he lays down principles concerning this. They wouldn't tell him what they'd been discussing, but in Matthew's Gospel, we learn that ultimately, evidently, they did tell him. However they put it in the form of a question. They didn't quite admit, we have been debating among ourselves who would be the greatest. They said, Lord, who will be the greatest? words to that effect. And very solemnly – though they are still in the house; perhaps they went into the open air – he convenes a meeting just of the disciples for these especially solemn commands and instructions.