Chapter Nine

9:2-13 Transfiguration of Jesus: Moses represents the Law and Elijah, the prophets; both symbolize the Old Testament (Mt 22:40). Peter's proposal to Jesus to stay and live on the mountain responds to the fear of going to Jerusalem, where the passion awaits them. Of the three persons present at the Transfiguration Jesus is the beloved Son of God to whom we must listen. Jesus surpasses Moses and Elijah and inaugurates the New Testament in continuity with the Old. The command not to tell anyone what happened is part of the messianic secret. The messianism of Jesus can only be correctly understood after his passion and resurrection.

9:14-29 He heals an epileptic boy: In this story of exorcism and healing, Jesus dialogues with two different actors: the sick man's father and his disciples. Faith and prayer are the key themes. The story begins and ends by showing the inability of the disciples to heal the sick boy: they lack faith and prayer. Faced with the impotence of the disciples, the father turns to Jesus: "If you can do anything, have pity on us and help us" (22). This phrase expresses desperation, need, and urgency. Jesus' answer is categorical: "All things are possible for one who believes" (23). 

9:30-32 Second announcement of the passion and resurrection: In an intimate setting, Jesus announces to his disciples, for the second time, his passion, death, and resurrection. The passive voice ("will be delivered") indicates that it is a divine action. This does not imply a sadistic attitude on the part of God. He gave up his beloved Son so that humanity might be saved. However, to violently take his life was up to "men" (cf. Is 53:12), a decision quickly made by those who felt their power threatened. The disciples, with their triumphalist vision, do not understand that the Messiah must pass through the cross.

9:33-37 Who is the most important? The disciples' silence indicates the difficulty they still have in understanding and assuming the teachings of Jesus. His words are forceful regarding power: it is not domination but the capacity for service that identifies the disciple. That is why he puts a child in their midst. No other dominion can be exercised over a child than service and love.

9:38-41 The anonymous exorcist: Jesus disqualifies the missionary jealousy of John because it is one thing that the disciples constitute the closest group and another that they consider themselves the exclusive depositaries of the proclamation of the kingdom. The universality of the Gospel refers not only to the recipients but also to the agents. Jesus’ disciples should even promote alliances or joint projects with those who, being of other religions or professing none, dedicate their lives to the service of humanity. Doing good is a universal gospel.

9:42-50 Radicality in the face of sin: The radical nature of the Gospel demands that we make clear and coherent choices for the project of Jesus, which is life; otherwise, it is death. We cannot, therefore, serve two masters (Mt 6:24).