King James Version

What Does Mark 9:31 Mean?

Mark 9:31 in the King James Version says “For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill ... — study this verse from Mark chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

Mark 9:31 · KJV


Context

29

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

30

And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

31

For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

32

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

33

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus taught His disciples: 'The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day' (ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου παραδίδοται εἰς χεῖρας ἀνθρώπων, καὶ ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀποκτανθεὶς μετὰ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἀναστήσεται). This is Jesus' second passion prediction in Mark (first in 8:31, third in 10:33-34). The present tense 'is delivered' (paradidotai, παραδίδοται) suggests certainty—already determined in God's plan. 'Into the hands of men' emphasizes human responsibility for Christ's death, yet divine sovereignty ordains it (Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). Jesus specifies death ('kill him') and resurrection ('rise the third day'), demonstrating foreknowledge. The precision 'third day' fulfills Scripture (Hosea 6:2; Jonah 1:17). Repeated passion predictions show Jesus wasn't victim of circumstances but deliberately chose the cross. His death was voluntary sacrifice (John 10:17-18), not tragic accident.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This second passion prediction occurred shortly after the transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8) where Jesus' glory was revealed. The contrast is deliberate: mountain-top glory followed by valley suffering. Jesus repeatedly predicted His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34), yet disciples couldn't grasp it (v. 32). First-century messianic expectations centered on political victory, not suffering. The phrase 'delivered into the hands of men' uses paradidōmi (παραδίδωμι, 'betray' or 'hand over'), the same verb describing Judas' betrayal (Mark 14:10-11). This shows human treachery served divine purposes. The specific 'third day' prediction fulfilled multiple Old Testament types (Isaac's deliverance, Jonah in the fish) and established the resurrection's historical verifiability.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' repeated prediction of death and resurrection demonstrate that the cross wasn't accident but central to God's redemptive plan?
  2. What does the precision of Jesus' foreknowledge ('third day') teach about divine sovereignty over history's details?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἐδίδασκεν1 of 26

he taught

G1321

to teach (in the same broad application)

γὰρ2 of 26

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

τοὺς3 of 26
G3588

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

μαθητὰς4 of 26

disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

αὐτόν5 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ6 of 26

and

G2532

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

ἔλεγεν7 of 26

said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

αὐτόν8 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὅτι9 of 26
G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

10 of 26
G3588

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

υἱὸς11 of 26

The Son

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ12 of 26
G3588

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

ἀνθρώπων13 of 26

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

παραδίδοται14 of 26

is delivered

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

εἰς15 of 26

into

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

χεῖρας16 of 26

the hands

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἀνθρώπων17 of 26

of man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

καὶ18 of 26

and

G2532

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

ἀποκτανθεὶς19 of 26

after that he is killed

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

αὐτόν20 of 26

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ21 of 26

and

G2532

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

ἀποκτανθεὶς22 of 26

after that he is killed

G615

to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy

τῇ23 of 26
G3588

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

τρίτῃ24 of 26

the third

G5154

third; neuter (as noun) a third part, or (as adverb) a (or the) third time, thirdly

ἡμέρᾳ25 of 26

day

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

ἀναστήσεται26 of 26

he shall rise

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 9:31 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 9:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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