Mark 9:2-10

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(Jan0809)

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
• The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • "Transfiguration of Jesus," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • I.XIV.6, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter XV, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • Chapter VIII, On Monogamy, Tertullian (c. 215)
  • VI.XLII, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
  • XII.36, XII.37, XII.39, XII.40, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • From the Catena Aurea, Patristic Commentary by St Thomas Aquinas.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The heavenly glory of Christ, which would within a short time be abased upon the cross, is confirmed by visible signs, by the presence and talk of Elias and Moses, and by the voice of the Father himself; all this occurred before three of his disciples, who are witnesses against whom there is no objection."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "It is good to be away from the world, and alone with Christ: and how good to be with Christ glorified in heaven with all the saints! But when it is well with us, we are apt not to care for others, and in the fulness of our enjoyments, we forget the many wants of our brethren."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "The Greek word [transfigured] seems to refer to the form of God, and the form of a servant, {mentioned by St. Paul, Php 2:6,7,} and may intimate, that the Divine rays, which the indwelling God let out on this occasion, made the glorious change from one of these forms into the other. Mt 17:1; Lu 9:28."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The great object was to reveal to the disciples his Divine glory before they beheld his humiliation upon the cross, in order to sustain their faith in the hour of trial."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Mark 9:2-9, James Boyce, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • A Brief Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 8:27 - 10:52, Carl W. Conrad. (Click superscript numbers for commentary.)
  • "Jesus Is Transfigured on a Mountain with Moses and Elijah," Michael A. Turton's Historical Commentary on the Gospel of Mark, "a complete verse-by-verse commentary on the Gospel of Mark, focusing on the historicity of people, places, events, and sayings in the world of the Gospel of Mark."
  • Exegesis, Mark 9:2-9, Russ Pregeant, Lectionary Homiletics sample.
    • "...the transfiguration scene encapsulates a paradox central to the gospel of Mark, that the Son of God, who belongs to the heavenly world and will eventually reappear in glory, is nevertheless the one who must suffer and die and be raised from the dead."
  • "A Beautiful Lie or an Eyewitness Account? The Transfiguration of Jesus," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2009.
    • "Consider the many ways we trivialize the Gospel and 'domesticate' God."
  • "First Thoughts on Year B Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," The Transfiguration of Jesus, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Mark’s use of the story connects so strongly to what follows that we can scarcely interpret it without reference to what Jesus’ disciples were to ‘listen to’ in the chapters which follow, namely lowliness and compassion. It is not just any elevation of Jesus which will do, but this particular one, which we appreciate when we know the whole story. Mark’s story reminds us that disciples, then and now, frequently get it wrong, through fear and ignorance and much else."
  • "Transfiguration," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
    • "God commands us to listen to the words of Christ. The tense of the verb is present imperative. That is, God is commanding the disciples and the whole world to listen to Jesus."
  • Mark 9:2-9, The Beginning of the Good News: the Epiphany Gospels in Mark and John, Paul S. Berge, Texts in Context, Word & World, Luther Northwestern Theological School, 1997.
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks.
    • "Besides the theme of the disciples' blindness (or stupidity) in Mark, there is also the theme of Jesus' faithfulness to his blind disciples. Given the choice of glory on a mountain or death on a cross, which is more attractive? Jesus comes down the mountain. He will not give up on his disciples. He not give up his divine mission for the sake of all humanity."
  • Sermon Preparation Thoughts and Questions by Wesley White, 2006.
  • Marginally Mark, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
    • "When is it time to head up our mountain? When is the time to come steadfastly down?"
  • Wellspring of the Gospel, Lent 2B, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
  • "Gospel for the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany: Mark 9:2-9," from Exegesis for the Christian Year, Henry Gustafson, 1998. At Religion Online.
    • "Not infrequently in our spiritual quests, we Christians try to find life in the reading of scripture and meditative prayer, only to discover the practice lacks vitality and that life eludes us."
  • "The Transfiguration," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
    • "What was your last experience of awe? What stopped you and caught your attention? Why did this event have such power over you?"
  • "Time Out Of Time," Patrick J. Willson, The Christian Century, 1994.
    • "Mark's "eucatastrophe" cracks open his story at midpoint, leaving us stunned and speechless. Like Peter, we press into service whatever transformations, transmutations or transmogrifications we have known, clumsily likening them to what we have glimpsed on the mountain."
  • "Suffering and Victory," Stanley S. Harakas, The Christian Century, 1997. At Religion Online.
    • "In Mark we are confronted by both suffering and exaltation, defeat and victory, weakness and power, death and life in its fullness. Peter articulates the all-too-human responses On the one hand he refuses to accept the suffering, defeat and death; on the other, he readily expresses the desire to stay where the exaltation, victory and manifestation of full life are revealed."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Mark 9: Transfiguration," "Transfiguration," wikipedia.
  • "A Focused Christological Reading of Mark 8:22 - 9:13," Kevin W Larsen, Trinity Journal, 2005.
    • "What I propose in this article is that the three episodes of Mark 8:22-9:13 should be read inter-textually with each other so as to begin offering a resolution to the christological question of Mark's gospel, 'Who then is this?' (Mark 4:41)."
  • "The Transfiguration, Cosmic Symbolism, and the Transformation of Consciousness in the Gospel of Mark," David Ulansey, a paper presented at the 1996 meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature.
    • "Thus the entire complex of late Hellenistic garment-imagery, of which Mark's transfiguration acccount is merely one example, may constitute a symbolically expressed collective intuition that the introjection of psychic energy can result in a decisive transformation of the self."
  • "A Note on 'Elijah with Moses' in Mark 9.4," J.P. Heil, Biblica 80 (1999). Abstract.
    • "Whereas Matt 17,3 and Luke 9,30 mention Moses first and coordinate him with Elijah in the expression, "Moses and (kai\) Elijah", Mark 9,4 mentions Elijah first and seems to subordinate Moses to him in the expression, "Elijah with (su\n) Moses". But a close examination of all the instances where Mark uses the preposition su/n indicates that this is not the case. On the contrary, the object of the preposition su\n in every instance represents the more notable party."
  • "Opening Blind Eyes: A Revisioning of Mark 8:22 - 10:52," Marie Noel Keller, Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2001.
    • "Keller argues that Mark uses the stories of the two blind men in his Gospel to serve as metaphors for his community...Their stories and the material within the frame of 8:22-10:52 work together to help his community learn the lessons they need in order to advance from the fear they are experiencing to follow Jesus boldly 'on the way.'"
  • "Who Will See 'The Kingdom of God coming with Power' in Mark 9,1 -- Protagonists or Antagonists?" Thomas R. Hatina, Biblica, 2005.
    • "...what if the conventional reading process were reversed whereby overshadowed portions of the episode, such as the interplay between antagonists and protagonists, were given prior attention and were permitted to inform the pregnant mythical language at the level of the story’s hearing and telling/performance?"
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  • Berge, Paul S., "The Beginning of the Good News: The Epiphany Gospels in Mark and John," Word & World, 1997.
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  • Chamberas, Peter A., "Transfiguration of Christ: A Study in the Patristic Exegesis of Scripture," St Vladimir's Theological Quarterly, 1970.
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  • Harakas, Stanley S., "Suffering and Victory," The Christian Century, 1997.
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  • Long, Thomas G., "Reality Show," The Christian Century, 2006.
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  • Lose, David J., "What Does This Mean? A Four-Part Exercise in Reading Mark 9:2-9 (Transfiguration)," World & World, 2003.
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  • Mc Curley, Foster R, "'And After Six Days' (Mark 9:9): A Semitic Literary Device," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1974.
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  • Moss, Candida R., "The Transfiguration: An Exercise in Markan Accommodation," Biblical Interpretation, 2004.
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  • O'Collins, Gerald, S.J., "Luminous Appearances of the Risen Christ," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1984.
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  • Otto, Randall E., "The Fear Motivation in Peter's Offer to Build TREIS SKENAS," Westminster Theological Journal, 1997.
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  • Reedy, Charles J., "Mark 8:31 - 11:10 and the Gospel Ending," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1972.
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  • Smith, Morton, "The Origin and History of the Transfiguration Story," Union Seminary Quarterly Review, 1980.
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  • Stein, Robert H., "Is the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8) a Misplaced Resurrection-Account?" Journal of Biblical Literature, 1976.
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  • Willson, Patrick J., "Time Out Of Time," The Christian Century, 1994.
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• Reviews:
  • Review: The Transfiguration of Jesus: Narrative Meaning and Function of Mark 9:2-3, Matthew 17:1-8, and Luke 98-36, by John Paul Heil. Reviewed by John F. Craghan in Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2002.
  • Review: Cosimo Pagliara, La figura di Elia nel vangelo di Marco: Aspetti semantici e funzionali. Pontificia Universia Gregoriana, 2003. Review by Edward L Bode in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004. (Review is in English.)
• Sermons:
  • "Wow!!!" the Rev. Dr. David E. Leininger, Lectionary.org.
  • "If I Could Only," 26 February 2006, Walter Harms, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Visions on a Mountaintop," "Mountains, Valleys and Plains," "Jesus Christ and Superman," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington - Sermons from Seattle.
  • "The Role of Religion in Today's Society," Sr. Joan Chittister, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club.
  • "Simon Bar-Jonah, Come On Down," the Rev. Barbara Berry-Bailey, Day 1, 2000.
  • "Spiritual 20/20," John Jewell, 2000.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily
    • Lent 2, 2009
    • Lent 2, 2006
    • Lent 2, 2000
• With Children:
  • "Transfiguration," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Transfiguration of Jesus," "Transfiguration," Fr. Max Bowers, Kid's Church.
  • "On the Mountain Top," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "Jesus Is Changed on the Mountain Top," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "The Transfiguration," online computer java-based coloring pages from Grace Baptist Church of Feeding Hill.
• Drama:
  • "Capernaum St. 2 - The Transfiguration," Jane and Mark Lewis, Potted Jam.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art Images: Mark 9:2-9, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Mark 9:2-10, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Mark 9:2-10, at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
  • Images for this week's readings, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Clip Art: Jesus' Transfiguration, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
  • The Transifiguration, Henry Martin, sermons4kids.com.
  • Commercial Site: "Transfiguration," video for Last Epiphany/Transfiguration, Mark 9:2-9, The Work of the People.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Mark 9:5, 7. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • "Transfigured," Jay C. Treat, The Christian Church in Pennsylvania.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Transfiguration
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Transformation
  • Passing on the Tradition
  • Seeing/Seeing in New Ways
  • Alternate Realities/Illusion-Reality Dialectic
• Literature and Literary References:
  • "After the Transfiguration," Kathy Coffey. Theology Today, 1992.
• The Text This Week's Resource Lists for Parallel Passages:
  • Matthew 17:1-9
  • Luke 9:28-36
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Mark