Mark 9:32

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

American Standard Version (1901)

But they understood not the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Bible in Basic English

But the saying was not clear to them, and they were in fear of questioning him about it.

Free Bible Version

They didn't understand what he meant and were too afraid to ask him about it.

Geneva Bible 1599

But they vnderstoode not that saying, and were afraide to aske him.

King James (Authorized) Version

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

One Unity Resource Bible

But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Plain English Version

His followers couldn’t understand what he was talking about. But they felt shame, so they didn’t ask him about it.

Translation for Translators

But they did not understand what he was telling them. Also, they were afraid to ask him about what he had said.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask him.

Noah Webster Bible

But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

World English Bible

But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.

Young's Literal Translation

but they were not understanding the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

Context

The Second Prediction of the Passion

³¹because He was teaching His disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.”³²But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

Summary

In Mark 9:32, Jesus predicts His upcoming death and resurrection to His disciples, but they do not understand His words and are afraid to ask Him for clarification. This verse reveals the disciples' lack of comprehension regarding the significance of Jesus' sacrificial mission on earth. It also demonstrates Jesus' willingness to openly share His impending suffering and victory over death, despite the disciples' inability to grasp the depth of His message. This passage highlights the human limitations in understanding divine purposes and the importance of seeking clarity and wisdom through faith and humility.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

But they understood not - This whole verse is wanting in two MSS., in the first edition of Erasmus, and in that of Aldus. Mill approves of the omission. It does not appear likely, from Matthew's account, that three of the disciples, Peter, James, and John, could be ignorant of the reasons of Christ's death and resurrection, after the transfiguration; on the contrary, from the circumstances there related, it is very probable that from that time they must have had at least a general understanding of this important subject; but the other nine might have been ignorant of this matter, who were not present at the transfiguration; probably it is of these that the evangelist speaks here. See the observations on the transfiguration, Mat 17:9 (note), etc., and Mat 18:1 (note).