What are You Asking? - Mark 9:16

Mark wrote how Jesus “charged” Peter, James and John, “that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? And he answered and told them, Elias verily comes first, and restores all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of his book, Mark shared how Jesus, “asked the scribes, what question you with them?” where we read:

And he asked the scribes, What question you with them?

The verse reads, “And he asked the scribes, ...” Mark began with the words, “And he asked” which means “and Jesus questioned and inquired of” “the scribes” or “the men learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter and teacher”. Mark shared how Jesus began to “question” the “religious leaders” known as the “scribes” who were “questioning” His disciples.

The verse continues, “... What question you with them?” Mark added the words, “what question you” which means “what are you inquiring and disputing” “with them” or “with Jesus' disciples”. Mark shared how Jesus wanted to know what the “scribes” were asking of His disciples.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus intervened in the examination by these “religious leaders” toward His disciples. As He came to their defense, Jesus turned the questioning toward them. God loves His children, and those who have trusted and believed in His Son Jesus are His “kids”, and He will defend them to the end. John the apostle wrote, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12), and those who yield their lives to Jesus find Him ready and able to defend any questioning by those who believe themselves to know better.

Next time Mark shares how “one of the multitude answered and said, I have brought to you my son, which has a dumb spirit”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".