These small group studies of the gospel of Mark 9:33-50 contain commentary, cross-references, questions, and applications to encourage life change. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more practical studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Mark 9:33-50 Bible Study – Who is the Greatest?
Outline
I. Serving the Lord (33-37)
II. Anyone not against us is for us (38-41)
III. Root out sin at all costs (42-50)
I. Serving the Lord (33-41)
Discussion Questions
• Why did Jesus ask them this question?
• What does this tell us about how to use questions?
• How did the disciples answer Him?
• What can we learn about human nature from the disciples?
• How should they have answered Jesus?
• What did Jesus think of their desire to be the greatest?
• What was the root problem of their attitude?
• In what ways might we also show the same kind of attitude? How do we try to build ourselves up or make ourselves feel important?
• What does the phrase, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all” mean?
• What point was Jesus trying to get across in verse 37?
• What does this tell us about true greatness?
• What can we learn from this about how to treat others?
Cross-References
Matthew 5:3 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Luke 22:27 – For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
Ephesians 5:21 – Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Ephesians 6:7 – Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man
1 Peter 4:11 – Whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies
James 1:27 – Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. What were you discussing on the way? –
This is much like God asking Adam and Eve in the garden if they had eaten the fruit. Jesus already knew the answer. It was a way to bring up their conversation and encourage them to evaluate their attitude. If they were proud of their words, they would happily share what they had been talking about.
Jesus didn’t start off by accusing or rebuking them. He didn’t immediately tell them that they were in the wrong. Rather, he asked. This is a perfect opportunity for confession. Also, it is more powerful for a person to discover an answer on their own than to be taught it.
My sons often come to me with math questions. They would prefer that I just tell them the answers or at least tell them immediately how to solve the problems.
Doing so comes with several drawbacks.
• They will be less likely to remember how to solve the problems if I give them the answers.
• They will not learn how to critically use their brains to figure out problems and be problem solvers.
• They will learn to be dependent on me or someone else instead of relying on their abilities.
It is more powerful if they can figure it out. Therefore, I often try to lead them to the answer by asking questions rather than telling them directly.
Questions can be powerful. Jesus was a master of question-asking.
Applications – Firstly, we should evaluate ourselves. Think about what we are saying and doing and reflect on whether it is edifying to others and honoring to God. Do not wait for others to tell you that you are wrong. Admit it on your own.
Secondly, when you see others (students, children, employees, etc.) doing wrong, you can use questions to stimulate them to think about it and hopefully recognize on their own that it is wrong and decide to change.
In what situations would it be useful for you to begin asking more questions?
2. They kept silent –
Mark 9:34 – But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.
Reflect – Why did they not immediately tell Jesus what they had been talking about? Why is confession so difficult?
They were ashamed. When Jesus asked them this question, they realized it was wrong to argue about who was the greatest. They should have taken the opportunity to confess their sin. But they didn’t.
Ever since Adam and Eve, when confronted with sin, human nature seeks to blame others, minimize the sin, or offer justification. Confession is never easy. It is uncomfortable. It is embarrassing. Yet it is necessary and cleansing.
Application – Are you quick to confess your sins when they come to light or do you choose to remain silent or excuse them? Are you humble enough to admit when you are wrong or do you just dig in your heels?
Everyone sins, but God wants us to humbly confess our sins so that we can receive mercy from Him.
Proverbs 24:16 – For the righteous falls seven times and rises again.
We sin routinely. If we don’t practice confession we will live with a wall between us and God as well as between us and others.
3. Sitting down –
Mark 9:35 – And he sat down and called the twelve.
You get a picture of Jesus getting ready to have a serious talk with the disciples. This attitude needed to be addressed. Jesus didn’t just ignore their sins. That would have been easier, but the easiest way is not the best way. They didn’t admit it on their own so Jesus had to explain to them why this attitude was wrong.
Application – Foster good communication with family members. Sit down together to talk often. These talks shouldn’t always be corrective. If you sit down and talk as a habit, these talks will keep the doors of communication open.
4. The one who wants to be first will be last –
Mark 9:35 – And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
There are two ways to read this. One is it could mean that the one who wants to be first will be last or it could mean that the one who is willing to be last will be first. From other gospel passages, we know that both are actually true.
God has designed things so that those who humble themselves will be exalted while those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
James 4:6 – But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Jesus is the greatest example of this. He humbled Himself to a greater extent than anyone else in all of history and He is also exalted higher than everyone else (Philippians 2).
It is more blessed to give than to receive and it is more blessed to serve than to be served. This is completely contrary to how the world thinks.
But as we serve others, God notices. Do we receive rewards now or later? To some degree, both. Serving others can give us joy on earth because we know we are doing what is right. Joy is not found in being stingy and selfish like Scrooge. That is the path to misery. We probably all know selfish people like that who only care for themselves. Odds are, they are some of the most unhappy people you will ever meet.
Another added benefit of serving others is that our relationship with them will also generally improve. For example, a husband who lovingly serves his wife and puts her first will likely find that her love and service for him grows in response.
At the same time, God notices everything we do for others (Mark 9:41) and will reward us for that in heaven. Yet in the following verses, Jesus reminds the disciples that a true servant does not do it for the reward.
Application – What are some practical ways you can be a better servant? Is there any area where you tend to put yourself first?
5. The one who receives a child receives Me –
Mark 9:37 – “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
Reflect – What is the idea in these verses? What is Jesus asking us to do? What does it have to do with serving?
Jesus is teaching us that a true servant does not do things to get noticed or rewarded.
James 1:27 – Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Children normally cannot “return the favor” when we do something for them. They don’t have money to give to us. They don’t have the power with which they can help us. Helping kids is a “dead-end” avenue if you are doing it as a way to further your own ambitions. Service offered to those who can give nothing back is true service. Helping children demonstrates a genuine servant’s heart. This is the kind of humility that Jesus is looking for and the kind of humility that will accept Christ Himself.
Application – What are some ways in which you can serve those who can give nothing in return? How could you get involved in serving children?
II. Anyone not against us is for us (38-41)
Discussion Questions
• Why did the disciples try to stop the man from casting out demons?
• What was Jesus’ reply?
• What can we learn from this about unity?
• What are some practical ways you can pursue better unity with other believers?
• What can we learn from verse 41 about rewards?
• How can we see the meaning of life in this verse?
• How can this verse encourage us to serve God in all the little things?
Cross-References
Mathew 12:30 – He who is not with me is against me.
Ephesians 4:2-4 – With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. John reports an exorcist to Jesus –
Mark 9:38 – John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.”
Reflect – What do you think motivated John to report this to Jesus?
For those who like Bible trivia, this is the only direct quote attributed to John recorded in the gospels (except John 13:22, which doesn’t mention him by name). He definitely seems to generally practice the principle of thinking before he speaks.
His stated reason is that he “was not following us.” It is unclear what John meant by that. It could be that he was jealous. That jealousy could be this other person out there gaining followers and reputation. Or it could have been a more righteous jealousy where he was trying to safeguard Jesus’ reputation. Perhaps also, he was concerned as to whether this lone ranger would mislead people by teaching heresy.
2. The one who is not against us is for us –
Mark 9:39-40 – But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us.
Jesus pointed out that this man was on their side. He wouldn’t easily go from doing miracles in Jesus’ name to cursing Jesus’ name.
In another passage, Jesus made the reverse point that he who is not for us is against us.
Matthew 12:30 – Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
With Jesus, there is no middle ground. Sometimes when I share the gospel, people say that they are in the middle. There is no middle. One cannot be neutral. Either a person is living in active rebellion against God by not receiving Christ as the Messiah, or he is on God’s team because he has believed in Christ.
This forces people to make a choice. Some thought they wouldn’t make any decision or they sought to put off their decision. But not making a decision is actually a decision to reject Christ. This understanding can help us to see the world as black and white like Jesus did. It also gives us the urgency to keep warning people and pleading with them to accept Christ while they still have a chance.
In this passage, we also see that Jesus was a proponent of unity. He didn’t need the personal accolades of someone being in His immediate following. As long as they were serving God, they should be allowed to continue.
It is interesting to note that for large sections of church history, the church has gone the other way. Many God-fearing and Bible-teaching believers have been persecuted by the “church” because they were not doing it under the official umbrella.
John Bunyan is one example. He preached the Bible faithfully. But he was thrown in prison by the British government because he did not have a license to preach. Only properly licensed church ministers were allowed to preach. The higher-ups wanted control and oversight. Such cases are common.
The Spirit of God moves where He wills so let us not put Him in a box.
3. God does not forget any act of service –
God sees everything. He will not forget the smallest act of service done for Him or His people. This verse connects with the previous section about serving. It doesn’t matter who sees you or doesn’t see you. It is not about getting recognition from people. We can take comfort in the fact that God always sees us.
Reflect – What difference does it make in your life if God exists or not?
One difference is that every act, no matter how little, takes on great importance. There is meaning in everything. Whether we are putting out the trash, changing a diaper, saying a kind word, or cooking a steamed fish for someone, if we do it out of love God will reward us.
Application – This should motivate us to do our very best for God in everything, no matter how small. What is one thing which you think you could do better for the Lord?
III. Root out sin at all costs (42-50)
Discussion Questions
• Who are the “little ones” Jesus is referring to?
• What does it mean to make them stumble?
• What are some examples of making children stumble?
• If causing them to stumble is the thing to avoid, what is the thing to do?
• Why would it be better for that person to commit suicide than to hurt children?
• What do verses 43, 45, and 47 mean?
• Is Jesus teaching self-mutilation? If not self-mutilation, then what?
• What specifically can we do today to apply the principle in these verses?
• What does this passage teach us about hell?
• What warning can we see here?
• What does it mean that the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched?
• What do verses 49-50 mean? Are believers salted by fire?
Cross-References
On Hell –
Revelation 21:8 – But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Matthew 10:28 – And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Revelation 20:14-15 – Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
Matthew 5:22 – But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
On Salt –
Matthew 5:13 – You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
On Refiner’s Fire –
Zechariah 13:9 – And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’”
1 Peter 1:7 – So that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. One of these little ones –
Mark 9:42 – Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.
This is a reference to children (Mark 9:36). Children are basically defenseless. They easily believe whatever adults tell them. They don’t yet have the ability to think on a highly critical level. That means it is easy for them to have faith in God. But it is also easy for them to be led astray. Adults, specifically parents, have the responsibility to lead children towards faith in God.
If someone uses their influence over a child to cause that child harm or lead them into sin, Jesus says it would be better for that person to commit suicide. God’s judgment on that person will be worse than death. This verse shows us God’s heart toward children and His anger toward those who harm children physically or spiritually.
Unfortunately, we live in a world where children are exploited. Tens of millions of children are wiped out in infanticide abortions every year.
For example, some doctors in China have suggested young mothers have an abortion if they were taking some minor medication when they got pregnant because there was a slight chance it would affect the baby.
Around the world, children are abandoned for the slightest defects or even because they are not convenient. They are kidnapped and sold as sex slaves. Around the world, hundreds of millions of children are sexually abused by adults such as teachers, coaches, babysitters, or parents. This makes God angry. It should make us angry too.
It should unite Christians to stand up for children and all the defenseless who cannot stand up for themselves. When looking at the global situation, you wonder how much longer God can contain His wrath.
Sometimes we hear of great love and sacrifice toward children. One expectant mother had cancer. The doctor told her that if she carried the baby to term it would mean not receiving the treatment that could cure her cancer. She decided to protect the little life inside her. Her child was born healthy, but it cost her life. I believe God is pleased with her.
Application – The best thing you can do for children is to teach them to follow the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
One important way to do this is through regular family devotions. It requires a big sacrifice of time but is well worth it.
2. Rooting out sin –
Jesus is not teaching self-mutilation. Our bodies are a temple.
2 Corinthians 6:16 – For we are the temple of the living God.
Jesus’ point is that sin is serious and should be taken seriously. Cutting off our hands wouldn’t actually solve the problem because stealing begins with greed in our hearts. Ripping out your eyes wouldn’t solve it either because adultery begins with lust in our hearts. It is possible to be blind, deaf, and mute alone on a deserted island and still have sin.
Jesus is saying that if cutting off our hand would solve our sin problem then it would be worth it to go through life disfigured but sin-free rather than to go to hell.
Reflect – What is the lesson here?
We need to do whatever it takes to attack sin at its root, to get rid of temptation before it can drive us to sin.
James 1:15 – Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
If a friend is a bad influence, stop spending time with that friend. If on shopping trips you always spend whatever money you take with you, take less. If you rack up credit card debt, cut up your credit cards. If your smartphone is addictive, get rid of it. If certain books (ie: romance novels) stir up discontent because you are single, get rid of them. There are a million examples.
Do not allow your circumstances or things to push you to sin. Instead, be proactive. Take whatever steps you need to in order to root out sin and temptation.
Application – Is there a sin in your life that you have gone easy on? What drastic steps might you need to take to deal with it?
3. Fire and salt –
Mark 9:49-50 – For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
The NKJV translates it like this.
For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and[a] every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
God uses suffering or persecution as a fire in our lives to refine us. The lesson is to be refined now. Allow God to mold and shape us now. Be like a piece of clay in His hands, warm and responsive to His touch. We should say, “Have your way in me.” The danger of an eternity in hell is much worse.
Fire and salt are both good in small measures. But neither one will be any good any hell.
We should be salty. We should be a good testimony to others. We should be different than the people around us. Salt preserves. Our words and actions should help preserve souls by bringing people to the foot of the cross.
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