King James Version

What Does Mark 9:10 Mean?

Mark 9:10 in the King James Version says “And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.”

Mark 9:10 · KJV

Context

8

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

9

And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

10

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

11

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

12

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The disciples 'kept that saying' (τὸν λόγον ἐκράτησαν), obeying Jesus' command but 'questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean' (πρὸς ἑαυτοὺς συζητοῦντες τί ἐστιν τὸ ἐκ νεκρῶν ἀναστῆναι). Their confusion reveals that resurrection was incomprehensible before its occurrence. Jews believed in general resurrection at history's end (Daniel 12:2; Martha's confession, John 11:24), but individual resurrection of the Messiah before the eschaton was foreign. Jesus repeatedly predicted His resurrection (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34), yet disciples couldn't grasp it. This demonstrates human inability to comprehend divine revelation apart from Spirit illumination. Even witnessing the transfiguration's glory didn't enable them to understand resurrection. Only after Easter did Scripture and Jesus' words make sense (Luke 24:25-27, 44-45; John 2:22). Reformed theology emphasizes that natural human reason cannot grasp spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 2:14)—revelation requires both objective word and subjective Spirit illumination.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First-century Jewish resurrection belief varied: Pharisees affirmed bodily resurrection at the end of the age (Acts 23:8), Sadducees denied it (Mark 12:18), apocalyptic literature described it (2 Maccabees 7). However, none anticipated the Messiah rising from the dead in the middle of history. The concept of dying-and-rising deities existed in pagan mystery religions (Osiris, Tammuz, Adonis), but Jewish monotheism rejected such myths. Jesus' resurrection was categorically different—historical event verified by witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-8), not cyclical nature myth. The disciples' confusion demonstrates they weren't predisposed to resurrection belief; their later testimony came from overwhelming empirical evidence, not wishful thinking or theological invention.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the disciples' inability to understand resurrection despite Jesus' teaching reveal about human spiritual blindness apart from divine revelation?
  2. How does the resurrection's utter unexpectedness to first-century Jews strengthen the evidence for its historical reality?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
καὶ1 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὸν2 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λόγον3 of 13

“that saying”

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

ἐκράτησαν4 of 13

“they kept”

G2902

to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)

πρὸς5 of 13

“with”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἑαυτοὺς6 of 13

“themselves”

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

συζητοῦντες7 of 13

“questioning one with another”

G4802

to investigate jointly, i.e., discuss, controvert, cavil

τί8 of 13

“what”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἐστιν9 of 13

“should mean”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τὸ10 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐκ11 of 13

“from”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

νεκρῶν12 of 13

“the dead”

G3498

dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)

ἀναστῆναι13 of 13

“the rising”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 9:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 9:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 17:18John 16:17-19John 2:19-22Luke 24:7-8Luke 24:25-27Luke 18:33-34

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