Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 9:15
And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to [him] saluted him.
15. were greatly amazed ] “was astonied and much afraid,” Rhemish Version. His face would seem, like that of Moses (Exo 34:30), to have retained traces of the celestial glory of the Holy Mount, which had not faded into the light of common day, and filled the beholders with awe and wonder. The word points to an extremity of terror. It is used four times in the New Testament, and only by St Mark. What is here said of the multitudes is said (Mar 14:34) of our Lord in Gethsemane, and (Mar 16:5) of the holy women at the Sepulchre on the first Easter-day at the sight of the Angel seated, “they were affrighted.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 15. Were greatly amazed] Probably, because he came so unexpectedly; but the cause of this amazement is not self-evident.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
15. And straightway all thepeoplethe multitude.
when they beheld him, weregreatly amazedwere astounded.
and running to him salutedhimThe singularly strong expression of surprise, the suddenarrest of the discussion, and the rush of the multitude towards Him,can be accounted for by nothing less than something amazing in Hisappearance. There can hardly be any doubt that His countenancestill retained traces of His transfiguration-glory. (See Exo 34:29;Exo 34:30). So BENGEL,DE WETTE,MEYER, TRENCH,ALFORD. No wonder, if thiswas the case, that they not only ran to Him, but saluted Him. OurLord, however, takes no notice of what had attracted them, andprobably it gradually faded away as He drew near; but addressingHimself to the scribes, He demands the subject of their discussion,ready to meet them where they had pressed hard upon Hishalf-instructed and as yet timid apostles.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And straightway all the people, when they beheld him,…. As soon as ever they saw him, to many of whom, especially those that followed him out of Galilee, he was personally known.
Were greatly amazed; either that he should come at that juncture, to assist and relieve his disciples, when the Scribes were triumphing over them, as some think; or rather, as others, on account of that remaining lustre and glory which was on his countenance, through his transfiguration, and not yet wholly gone off; like that which was on the face of Moses, when he came down from Mount Sinai:
and running to him, saluted him; wishing him all peace and prosperity, expressing their great joy at his coming to them; which was very desirable by them, and exceedingly pleasing to them, and especially at this time, as both their words and gesture showed.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Were greatly amazed (). First aorist passive ingressive aorist with perfective compound –. The sudden and opportune appearance of Jesus in the midst of the dispute when no one was looking for him turned all eyes to him. He would not fail, however the disciples might do so. The people were awed for the moment and then running began to welcome him ( ). Present participle and imperfect middle indicative.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Were greatly amazed [] . A word peculiar to Mark. See Introduction.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And straightway all the people,” (kai euthus pas ho ochlos) “And instantly or immediately all the crowd,” the masses gathered with the nine disciples and the scribes who awaited the return of Jesus, Peter, James and John, Mar 9:1.
2) “When they beheld Him,” (idontes auton) “Seeing Him,” seeing Jesus or upon seeing Jesus, with the innercircle disciples, when they had returned.
3) “Were all amazed,” (eksethambethesan) “Were all greatly astonished,” even much afraid, as expressed also Mar 10:32. Perhaps a trace of celestial glory lingered on His face, as it had on that of Moses, when he received the Law, Exo 34:30.
4) ”And running to Him saluted Him.” (kai prostrechontes espazonto) “And as they were running up to Him, they greeted Him,” recognized Him, and greeted Him with joy, an inference that the people had known Him in His former ministry of that area of Galilee, West of the sea near Mt Tabor.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(15) Were greatly amazed.This fact is noted by St. Mark only. We are not told what caused it. Was there some lingering radiance, or some expression of divine joy hardly less radiant, that struck the disciples and the people as strangely unlike the sadness that had been shown in recent words and looks? (Mar. 8:30-33).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And immediately all the crowd when they saw him were greatly amazed, and running to him greeted him.’
It is quite likely that the disciples had told the crowd that Jesus had gone up into the mountain and would be there for some time, as had Moses when he went into a mountain to meet with God. So the idea had probably become quite settled in their minds that they would not see Jesus for quite a while, and they were no doubt disappointed by the fact, especially as the failure of the disciples accentuated it. Thus they were quite taken by surprise at seeing Jesus approaching and were ‘amazed’ that He had arrived at such an opportune time, and ran to meet Him. They clearly had confidence that He would be able to do something.
The idea that there was a glow on the face of Jesus, other than the glow that was always there, is not likely, for there is no mention of it and the case is quite different from that of Moses. In the mount Jesus’ glory had been His own glory which He usually veiled in His human body, not a reflection of a glory that He had beheld. Had there been any truth in the idea it would surely have been mentioned by at least one of the writers. And it would have been contrary to His policy of veiledness.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mar 9:15. Were greatly amazed, When the people looked on him as he was coming, they were struck into astonishment at those unusual rays of majesty and glory which yet remained on his countenance. It seems, that as Moses’s face shone several hours after he had been with God on the mount, so something of the glory of the transfiguration remaining inour Lord’s countenance, and on his raiment, might astonish the multitude, and attract their veneration. See Heylin.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
Ver. 15. Were greatly amazed ] To see him come in so opportunely, in the very nick, which is his usual time. See Trapp on “ Mat 17:14 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
15. ] The Lord’s countenance probably retained traces of the glory on the mount; so strong a word as would hardly have been used merely of their surprise at His sudden approach: see Exo 34:29-30 . That brightness, however, terrified the people: this attracts them: see 2Co 3:7-18 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mar 9:15 . , were utterly amazed, used by Mark only in N. T., here, and in Mar 14:33 and Mar 16:5 in connections which demand a very strong sense. What was there in common in the three situations: the returned Master, the agony in the garden, and the appearance of the angel at the resurrection? A surprise; which, whether sorrowful or joyful, always gives a certain emotional shock. The Master reappears, when He is not looked for, when He is needed, and when His name is being taken in vain, perhaps not without a certain sympathy on the part of the volatile crowd not accustomed hitherto to miscarriage of attempts at healing when the name of Jesus was invoked. In that case their feeling would be a compound of confusion and gladness ashamed and yet delighted to see Him, both betrayed in their manner.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
And, &c.: Mar 9:15 and Mar 9:16 are also a Divine supplement, here.
straightway. See notes on Mar 1:10, Mar 1:12
people = crowd. Same word as in Mar 9:14.
beheld = saw, as in Mar 9:14.
were greatly amazed. Greek. ekthambeomai = to be greatly astonished. Occurs only here; and Mar 14:33; Mar 16:5, Mar 16:6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
15.] The Lords countenance probably retained traces of the glory on the mount; so strong a word as would hardly have been used merely of their surprise at His sudden approach: see Exo 34:29-30. That brightness, however, terrified the people: this attracts them: see 2Co 3:7-18.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mar 9:15. , were greatly amazed) They were affected by the glory, even though they knew not what had taken place on the mountain; comp. ch. Mar 10:32; Luk 19:11; also Exo 4:14; Exo 34:29-30. [you may readily perceive that there follows upon secret communion with God a greater leaning on the part of men towards you.-V. g.]-, running up to) eagerly.-, began saluting) with joy.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
were: Mar 9:2, Mar 9:3, Exo 34:30
Reciprocal: Dan 7:28 – but
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
5
The people means the crowd in general who were usually in a favorable frame of mind toward Jesus. Their attention was called to him and they were greatly amazed or surprised. But they were favorably impressed by his sudden appearance for they came and saluted him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mar 9:15. Were greatly amazed. Our Lords countenance may have retained some traces of the glory on the mount, as in the case of Moses. The word here used (struck with awe) indicates more than surprise at His sudden coming.
Running to him. Luke: Much people met Him; see note on Mat 17:14.
Sainted Him. Welcomed Him, whatever had been the influence of the debate with the scribes. Christs presence put an end to this debate. The evidence of Christs presence and the exhibition of His power always produce a similar effect.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 15
Greatly amazed; surprised to see him returning, as they did not know where he had gone.