Mark 9 1-13 Analysis

The gospel of Mark chapter 9 1:13 is a passage highlighting The Transfiguration of Jesus, which is one of the most important events before the passion. The passage reveals Jesus’ inner circle of disciples Peter, James and John as Jesus transforms his appearance to gain a better understandings of the truth behind Jesus as the deity of Christ. In order to gain an interpretation through the world in front of the text, the worlds behind, and of the text must be analysed. It is only through critical research of the historical background, context, factors and surroundings of the author, literally devices and techniques, that an interpretation can be made. This allows the flourishment of structure towards the Gospel of Mark and enhances the audience

Discipleship is seen within Mark 9:1-13 as Jesus only brings three of his disciples, Peter, James and John as they we’re seen as Jesus’s inner circle, being the closest to Jesus and the most ambitious. Mark 9:5, “Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put out three shelters.” This significantly highlights the confusion of the disciples as they did not know what they saw and Peter did not know what to say as his response was frightened. Mark implies this confusion as a reoccurring motif to illustrate the confusion, not only of his closet disciples but the confusion of other people at the time. “Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!,” Mark 9:7. Marks use of language “a voice,” highlights that he does not refer to God directly leaving the audience to question who the voice is and also the disciples as confused. However Mark juxtaposes this by stating “my Son” which can be interpreted as Jesus’ father, God. Within Mark 8:27-29 Peter states, “ You are the Christ.” This conveys Peter to understand who Jesus was, as God revealed to him. However Peter understood Jesus as messiah and Christ but he did not understand what a messiah would do. Peter thought of a hero but Jesus spoke of suffering and death. This significantly highlights Marks motif of identifying Jesus as the “suffering Messiah” as he portrays the passion passage in depth. Alternately John does not portray Jesus as the suffering Messiah, as well as Matthew and Luke do not focus as much on the passion story. “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Kingdom of God has come with power,” Mark 9:1. This enhances Marks motif of the suffering Messiah and death as Jesus states to his disciples