What does Mark 9:30-32 mean?

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. (Mark 9:30-32 KJV)

Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

Christ foretells his approaching sufferings. He passed through Galilee more quickly than usual and did not want anyone to know about it (Mark 9:30), because he had done many mighty works among them in vain; therefore, they would no longer be invited to see them or benefit from them. As the time of his sufferings drew near, he wanted to be private for a while and speak only with his disciples to prepare them for the approaching trial (Mark 9:31).

He said to them, “The Son of Man is delivered by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God into the hands of men, and they shall kill him” (Mark 9:31). Had he been delivered into the hands of devils, it would not have been so strange; but that men, who have reason and should have love, would be so spiteful to the Son of Man, who came to redeem and save them, is unaccountable. Still, when Christ spoke of his death, he always spoke of his resurrection, which removed the reproach of it from himself and should have eased his disciples’ grief.

However, they did not understand what he meant (Mark 9:32). The words were plain enough, but they could not reconcile themselves with the idea and assumed it had some mystical meaning they did not understand. They were afraid to ask him, not because he was difficult to approach or stern, but either because they were reluctant to know the truth or expected to be rebuked for their slowness to understand. Many remain ignorant because they are ashamed to ask questions.

Mark Chapter 9

1. The Transfiguration, Mark 9:1-13
2. Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit, Mark 9:14-29
3. Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection, Mark 9:30-32
4. Who Is the Greatest?, Mark 9:33-37
5. Anyone Not Against Us Is for Us, Mark 9:38-40
6. Helping or offending the followers of Christ, Mark 9:41-42
7. Temptations to Sin, Mark 9:43-50