Gospel of Mark Bible Part 51: The Disciples Ask Questions [Bible Study]

Bible Study Title: The Disciples Ask Questions

Scripture Focus

Mark 9:9–13

“And as they were coming down from the mountain, He was giving them orders not to recount to anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man rose from the dead. And they seized upon that statement, arguing with one another what rising from the dead meant. They began asking Him, saying, ‘Why is it that the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’ And He said to them, ‘Elijah does first come and restore all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.’”

Background Setting

The Transfiguration has just taken place. Peter, James, and John have seen Christ revealed in glory, speaking with Moses and Elijah. Coming down the mountain, Jesus commands silence until after His resurrection. The disciples obey, yet inwardly struggle. They keep His words, but they do not understand them.

Mark tells us they were “arguing with one another what rising from the dead meant.” Though they believed in a future resurrection, the idea that the Messiah Himself would suffer, die, and rise again did not fit their expectations. Their confusion drives them back to Scripture. They ask Jesus about Elijah, referring to Malachi 4:5, which taught that Elijah must come before the Day of the Lord.

Jesus affirms the scribes were correct. Elijah does come first. Yet He also points them toward suffering, reminding them that Scripture foretold not only glory, but rejection and contempt for the Son of Man.

Elijah, John the Baptist, and the End-Times

Jesus later clarifies that Elijah had already come in the person of John the Baptist.

Matthew 17:12–13“But I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands. Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.”

John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, confronting sin, calling Israel to repentance, and preparing the way for Christ. Yet Scripture also points forward to Elijah’s role in the end-times. Revelation describes two witnesses who will prophesy, confront the world, and be killed for their testimony.

Revelation 11:3–12

The identity of the two witnesses is most likely Enoch and Elijah. Scripture tells us:

Hebrews 9:27“And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment.”

Enoch and Elijah uniquely fit this pattern.

Genesis 5:24“Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

2 Kings 2:11“And as they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.”

Both men were prophetic voices of judgment and repentance. Enoch warned the ungodly world before the flood, a prophecy preserved in Jude 14–15. Elijah confronted idolatry and false worship in Israel, calling the nation back to covenant faithfulness in 1 Kings 18:17–40. Revelation’s witnesses will do the same in the last days.

The Disciples’ Struggle and Their Fear

While the disciples freely asked about Elijah, they were afraid to ask about Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Mark 9:31–32“For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, ‘The Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise again three days later.’ But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him.”

This contrast matters. When they asked, Jesus taught. When they stayed silent, confusion remained. Their fear kept them from the light.

Illustration: The Cost of Unasked Questions

Many of us remember asking a teacher, “Can I ask a stupid question?” The wise reply is simple. The only foolish question is the one never asked.

By not asking Jesus, the disciples remained in ignorance longer than necessary. Questions are not a sign of weak faith. They are often the mark of a sincere disciple who longs to understand and obey.

I. The Concept of Discipleship

A. What Is a Disciple?

The Greek word mathētēs means a learner or pupil. Vine defines it as one who follows another’s teaching. Discipleship is not passive admiration. It is active learning.

B. What Jesus Expects from His Disciples

Matthew 11:28–30“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus calls us to learn from Him. Rest is found not in ignorance, but in obedient understanding.

Matthew 28:19–20“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The “end of the age” refers to the close of the present era, the age marked by gospel mission, sin, and grace. Jesus promises His presence throughout this entire age until judgment and harvest begin.

Matthew 13:39–41

II. The Role of Questions in Learning

A. Jesus Taught by Asking Questions

Jesus regularly used questions to reveal truth, expose hearts, and invite reflection.

Healing on the Sabbath: Matthew 12:10–12His identity: Matthew 16:13–15, Matthew 22:42–45Divorce: Mark 10:3Taxes: Luke 20:22–25Authority: Matthew 21:24–25

Questions were not distractions. They were teaching tools.

B. The Disciples Learned by Asking

They asked about parables (Mark 4:10; 7:17), Elijah (Mark 9:11), spiritual power (Mark 9:28), divorce (Mark 10:10), suffering (John 9:2), and the end of the age (Mark 13:1–4).

Growth followed honest inquiry.

C. We Learn the Same Way

We should never hesitate to ask questions in church, in Bible study, or in personal conversation. If the desire is to understand Scripture, the Lord honors that pursuit.

Not asking keeps us in darkness. Asking leads us back to the Word, where light is found.

III. Apostolic Expectations for Disciples

2 Peter 3:18“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

Colossians 1:10“So that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the true knowledge of God.”

Disciples are expected to grow. Growth requires teaching, reflection, and questions rooted in Scripture.

Conclusion and Gospel Reflection

A disciple is a lifelong learner. The Christian life is not sustained by assumptions, but by truth patiently learned from Christ through His Word. There is no better way to learn than to ask questions and to keep asking until Scripture provides the answer.

Acts 8:34–36“And the eunuch answered Philip and said, ‘I ask you earnestly, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?’ Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water!

What prevents me from being baptized?’”

One question led to understanding. Another led to salvation.

May we be disciples who are never afraid to ask, always eager to learn, and fully committed to growing in the true knowledge of Jesus Christ.

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