Devine Scripture

Mark 9:32

What does Mark 9:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:32 means

Despite Jesus' clear declaration of His impending suffering, death, and resurrection, the disciples failed to understand what He meant. Furthermore, they were afraid to ask Him for clarification. Their fear likely stemmed from a combination of awe, their own misunderstanding of the Messiah's role, and perhaps reluctance to confront such a difficult and unsettling truth. This reveals their ongoing spiritual immaturity and their human resistance to God’s plan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But the saying was not clear to them, and they were in fear of questioning him about it.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but they were not understanding the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they came to Capharnaum. And when they were in the house, he asked them: What did you treat of in the way?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But they understood not the saying, and feared to ask him.

Context

This verse highlights the disciples' persistent incomprehension and fear, immediately following Jesus' precise prediction of His suffering and resurrection. Their inability to grasp this central truth, coupled with their reluctance to ask, reveals their spiritual struggle and creates a stark contrast with the divine plan. This misunderstanding directly leads to their misplaced argument about greatness, further proving their need for Jesus' continuous teaching.

v.31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again.

v.32This passage

v.33And they came to Capernaum: and when he was in the house he asked them, What were ye reasoning on the way?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 8:17

    And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened?

  • Luke 2:50

    And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

  • Luke 18:34

    And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.

  • Luke 24:45

    Then opened he their mind, that they might understand the scriptures;

  • Mark 8:33

    But he turning about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.

  • John 4:27

    And upon this came his disciples; and they marvelled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why speakest thou with her?

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