“And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.”
They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were — the withdrawal through Galilee is deliberate concealment: Jesus does not want anyone to know where they are. The reason is given in verse 31: he was teaching his disciples privately. The ministry has shifted from public proclamation to intensive private instruction of the twelve — the Galilean campaign is essentially over, and the journey toward Jerusalem (and the cross) has begun.
Church Fathers on Mark 9:30
It is after miracles that the Lord inserts a discourse concerning His Passion, lest it should be thought that He suffered because He could not help it.
He always mingles together sorrowful and joyful things, that sorrow should not by its suddenness frighten the Apostles, but be borne by them with prepared minds.
Capernaum means the city of consolation, and agrees with the former sentence, which He had spoken: 'And after that He is killed, He shall arise the third day.'
Read all 11 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!