Mark 9:34

34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

Mark 9:34 in Other Translations

34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

34 But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

34 The silence was deafening - they had been arguing with one another over who among them was greatest.

34 But they were silent, because on the way they had been arguing with one another about who was the greatest.

Mark 9:34 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 9:34

But they held their peace
Fearing a reprimand, for their vanity and affectation of worldly grandeur:

for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who [should be]
the greatest;
that is, who should be advanced to the highest post, and have the greatest place of authority, honour, and dignity, in the temporal kingdom of the Messiah, they expected would be in a little time set up; for notwithstanding what Christ had said to them, concerning his being given up to the power of men, and concerning his death and resurrection, they still retained their former principle, to which they knew not how to reconcile his dying; and therefore chose rather to leave his meaning in suspense, and remain ignorant about it, than quit so darling a notion: and doubtless this dispute was occasioned by what Christ had said to them; who afterwards, getting by themselves, talked about it, which led on to a warm contest, about precedence in his kingdom.

Mark 9:34 In-Context

32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”

34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them,

Cross References

• 1. Luke 22:24