Mark 9:2-9

Mark 9:2-9
Transfiguration B12

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Six days later, JesusA took withB him PeterC and JamesD and John,E

Notes on verse 2a

A “Jesus” = Iesous. From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone)}. This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
B “took with” = paralambano. From para (beside, by, in the presence of) + lambano (active acceptance/taking of what is available or what has been offered; emphasizes the choice and action of the individual). This is to receive, take, acknowledge, associate with. It can also mean to take on an office or to learn.
C “Peter” = Petros. Related to petra (large rock that is connected and or projecting like a rock, ledge, or cliff; can also be cave or stony ground). This is Peter, a stone, pebble, or boulder.
D “James” = Iakobos. From Hebrew Yaaqov (Jacob); from the same as aqeb (heel, hind part, hoof, rear guard of an army, one who lies in wait, usurper). This is James, meaning heel grabber or usurper.
E “John” = Ioannes. Related to “Jesus” in v2. From Hebrew yochanan (Johanan); from Yehochanan (“the Lord has been gracious”); {from YHVH (see note A above) + chanan (beseech, show favor, be gracious; properly, to bend in kindness to someone with less status). This is John.

and led them upF a highG mountain apart, by themselves.H And he was transfiguredI before them, 

Notes on verse 2b

F “led…up” = anaphero. 10x in NT. From ana (up, back, among, again, anew) + phero (to bear, bring, lead, make known publicly; to carry in a literal or figurative sense). This is to carry or lead up as to a goal or particular destination. It can also be used for offering a sacrifice.
G “high” = hupselos. 12x in NT – in Matthew’s and Luke’s Temptation story as well as Matthew and Mark’s Transfiguration accounts. From hupsos (height, high position, heaven, dignity, eminence; elevation, altitude; to be exalted); from hupsi (on high, aloft); from huper (over, above, beyond). This is high, lofty, or exalted. It can be lofty in elevation or in character.
H “by themselves” = idios + monos. Idios is something that belongs to you or that is personal, private, apart. It indicates a stronger sense of possession than a simple possessive pronoun. This is where “idiot” comes from (denoting someone who hasn’t had formal training or education and so they rely on their own understanding). Monos is perhaps from meno (to stay, abide, wait, endure). It is alone, desolate mere, solitary, only.
I “transfigured” = metamorphoo. 4x in NT. From meta (with among, behind, beyond; implies a change following contact or action) + morpho (to form, mold, shape; coming into the shape that signified inner essence) {from morphe (form, shape, external appearance; an appearance that embodies inner essence; figuratively, the nature of something); {perhaps from meros (a part or share, portion); {from meiromai (to get one’s allotment or portion)}. This is to transform or change. It is the root that “metamorphosis” comes from.

and his clothesJ becameK dazzlingL white,M

Notes on verse 3a

J “clothes” = himation. From heima (garment) OR from ennumi (to put on). This is the outer garment, cloak, robe, or mantle. It is worn loosely over a tunic.
K “became” = ginomai. This is to come into being, to happen, become, be born. It can be to emerge from one state or condition to another or is coming into being with the sense of movement or growth.
L “dazzling” = stilbo. 1x in NT. This is to shine, be radiant, flash.
M “white” = leukos. Related to luke (light). This is bright, white, or brilliant.

such as no oneN on earth couldO bleachP them. 

Notes on verse 3b

N “one” = gnapheus. 1x in NT. From knapto (to card wool). This is a launderer or fuller – who cleans wool.
O “could” = dunamai. This is to be able, or something that is possible. It can also be empowered or being powerful. The Greek word for “miracle” (dunamis) comes from this root.
P “bleach” = leukaino. Related to “white” in v3. 2x in NT – transfiguration in Mark and the robes of the elders made white with the blood of the Lamb in Revelation 7:14. From leukos (see note M above). This is to whiten.

And there appearedQ to them ElijahR with Moses,S who were talking with Jesus. 

Notes on verse 4

Q “appeared” = horao. To see, perceive, attend to, look upon, experience. Properly, to stare at and so implying clear discernment. This, by extension, would indicate attending to what was seen and learned. This is to see, often with a metaphorical sense. Can include inward spiritual seeing.
R “Elijah” = Elias. Related to “Jesus” and “John” in v2. From Hebrew Eliyyah (Elijah) {from el (God, god) + Yah (the shortened form of the name of the God of Israel; God, Lord); {from YHVH (see note A above)}. This is Elijah, “The Lord is God.”
S “Moses” = Mouses. From Hebrew Mosheh (Moses); from mashah (to pull out in a literal or figurative sense, to draw out) OR from Egyptian mes or mesu (child, son i.e. child of…). This is Moses – the one drawn out from the water, which is to say, rescued. If derived from the Egyptian, his name would share a root with Rameses and Thutmose.

Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,T it is goodU for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,V one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not knowW what to say, for they were terrified.X 

Notes on verses 5-6

T “Rabbi” = Rhabbi. 15x in NT– 8x in the Gospel of John. From Hebrew rab (chief); from rabab (to be many, increase, multiply). This is a title of respect for a teacher-scholar. Literally, it means great one or honorable sir. It can also be understood as my master or my teacher.
U “good” = kalos. This is good, noble, beautiful, correct, or worthy. This is external signs of goodness like beauty, demonstrations of honorable character, showing moral virtues. A different word, agathos, speaks of intrinsic good.
V “dwellings” = skene. Perhaps related to skeuos (vessel, tool, container, implement; also vessel in a figurative or literal sense) or perhaps related to skia (shadow, thick darkness, outline; figurative for a spiritual situation that is good or bad). This is a tent, booth, tabernacle, or dwelling. It could be a cloth hut. This is a tent in a literal or figurative sense.
W “know” = eido. This is to know, consider perceive, appreciate, behold, or remember. It means seeing with one’s eyes, but also figuratively, it means perceiving – seeing that becomes understanding. So, by implication, this means knowing or being aware.
X “terrified” = ekphobos. 2x in NT. From ek (from, from out of) + phobos (panic flight, fear, fear being caused, terror, alarm, that which causes fear, reverence, respect); {from phebomai (to flee, withdraw, be put to flight)}. This is terrified – scared out of one’s mind, very afraid.

Then a cloudY overshadowedZ them, and from the cloud there cameAA a voice,BB “This is my Son, the Beloved;CC listenDD to him!” 

Notes on verse 7

Y “cloud” = nephele. From nephos (cloud; figurative for a great crowd or multitude). This is cloud or cloudiness.
Z “overshadowed” = episkiazo. Related to “dwellings” in v5. 5x in NT– 3x in the Transfiguration, 1x of the annunciation, 1x of Peter healing the sick with his shadow. From epi (on, upon, against, what is fitting) + skia (see note V above). This is to envelop, cast a shadow on.
AA “came” = ginomai. Same as “became” in v3. See note K above.
BB “voice” = phone. Probably from phemi (to declare, say, use contrasts in speaking to shed light on one point of view); {from phao (to shine) or phaino (to bring light, cause to appear, shine, become visible or clear). This is a voice, sound, tone or noise. It can also be a language or dialect.
CC “Beloved” = agapetos. From agape (love, goodwill, benevolence; God’s divine love); from agapao (to love, take pleasure in, esteem; to prefer). This is Beloved or very dear one. It is a title for the Messiah, but also for Christians. Properly, this is one who personally experiences God’s love.
DD “listen” = akouo. This is hear or listen, but it also means to understand by hearing. This is where the word “acoustics” comes from.

SuddenlyEE when they looked around,FF they sawGG no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

Notes on verse 8

EE “suddenly” = exapina. Related to “voice” in v7. 1x in NT. From ek (from, from out of) + aiphidios (sudden, unforeseen, not apparent, unawares); {from aiphnes (suddenly); {from a (not, without) + phaino (see note BB above)}}. This is all at once or unexpectedly.
FF “looked around” = periblepo. 7x in NT – 6x in Mark & 1x in Luke. From peri (about, concerning, around, encompassing) + blepo (to see, used primarily in the physical sense; figuratively, seeing, which includes attention and so to watchfulness, being observant, perceiving, beware, and acting on the visual information). This is to survey, look around closely, gaze about.
GG “saw” = horao. Same as “appeared” in v4. See note Q above.

As they were coming down the mountain, he orderedHH them to tellII no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of ManJJ had risenKK from the dead.LL

Notes on verse 9

HH “ordered” = diastello. 8x in NT. From dia (through, across to the other side, thoroughly) + stello (to set, arrange, prepare, provide for); {probably from histemi (to stand, place, set up, establish, stand firm)}. This is to set apart, distinguish, give a commission, order, set apart for service.
II “tell” = diegeomai. 8x in NT. From dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + hegeomai (to think, suppose, have an opinion; to lead the way, what comes in front or first, initial thought, high esteem or authority; one who commands in an official capacity); {from ago (lead, bring, carry, drive, go)}. This is to describe fully, narrate, declare, tell something clearly so that one knows what is most important.
JJ “Man” = anthropos. Probably from aner (man, male, husband) + ops (eye, face). This is human, humankind. Used for all genders.
KK “risen” = anistemi. Related to “ordered” in v9. From ana (upwards, up, again, back, anew) + histemi (see note HH above). This is to raise up, rise, appear. It is to stand up literally or figuratively. Can also mean to resurrect.
LL “dead” = nekros. Perhaps from nekus (corpse). This is dead of lifeless, mortal, corpse. It can also be used figuratively for powerless or ineffective. It is where the word “necrotic” comes from.


Image credit: “Jesus is Transfigured” from The LUMO Project.

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