Mark 9:1–29

¹He said to them, “I can guarantee this truth: Some people who are standing here will not die until they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.” 

Moses and Elijah Appear with Jesus—Matthew 17:1–8; Luke 9:28–36

²After six days Jesus took only Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. 

Jesus’ appearance changed in front of them. ³His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. ⁴Then Elijah and Moses appeared to them and were talking with Jesus. 

⁵Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶(Peter didn’t know how to respond. He and the others were terrified.) 

⁷Then a cloud overshadowed them. A voice came out of the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 

⁸Suddenly, as they looked around, they saw no one with them but Jesus. 

⁹On their way down the mountain, Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen. They were to wait until the Son of Man had come back to life. ¹⁰They kept in mind what he said but argued among themselves what he meant by “come back to life.” ¹¹So they asked him, “Don’t the experts in Moses’ Teachings say that Elijah must come first?” 

¹²Jesus said to them, “Elijah is coming first and will put everything in order again. But in what sense was it written that the Son of Man must suffer a lot and be treated shamefully? ¹³Indeed, I can guarantee that Elijah has come. Yet, people treated him as they pleased, as Scripture says about him.” 

Jesus Cures a Demon-Possessed Boy—Matthew 17:14–20; Luke 9:37–43a

¹⁴When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them. Some experts in Moses’ Teachings were arguing with them. ¹⁵All the people were very surprised to see Jesus and ran to welcome him. 

¹⁶Jesus asked the experts in Moses’ Teachings, “What are you arguing about with them?” 

¹⁷A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son. He is possessed by a spirit that won’t let him talk. ¹⁸Whenever the spirit brings on a seizure, it throws him to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes exhausted. I asked your disciples to force the spirit out, but they didn’t have the power to do it.” 

¹⁹Jesus said to them, “You unbelieving generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!” 

²⁰They brought the boy to him. As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it threw the boy into convulsions. He fell on the ground, rolled around, and foamed at the mouth. 

²¹Jesus asked his father, “How long has he been like this?” 

The father replied, “He has been this way since he was a child. ²²The demon has often thrown him into fire or into water to destroy him. If it’s possible for you, put yourself in our place, and help us!” 

²³Jesus said to him, “As far as possibilities go, everything is possible for the person who believes.” 

²⁴The child’s father cried out at once, “I believe! Help my lack of faith.” 

²⁵When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he gave an order to the evil spirit. He said, “You spirit that won’t let him talk, I command you to come out of him and never enter him again.” 

²⁶The evil spirit screamed, shook the child violently, and came out. The boy looked as if he were dead, and everyone said, “He’s dead!” 

²⁷Jesus took his hand and helped him to stand up. 

²⁸When Jesus went into a house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we force the spirit out of the boy?” 

²⁹He told them, “This kind of spirit can be forced out only by prayer.”^a