Word Pictures in the New Testament - David Cox

Word Pictures in the NT [Mark: Chapter 9].
heated discussion on the way in.
9:34 {But they held their peace} (\Hoi de esi•p•n\). Imperfect
tense. Put thus to them, they felt ashamed that the Master had
discovered their jealous rivalry. It was not a mere abstract
query, as they put it to Jesus, but it was a canker in their
hearts.
9:35 {He sat down and called the twelve} (\kathisas eph•n•sen
tous d•deka\). Deliberate action of Jesus to handle this delicate
situation. Jesus gives them the rule of greatness: "If any man
would be first (\pr•tos\) he shall be last (\eschatos\) of all,
and minister (\diakonos\) of all." This saying of Christ, like
many others, he repeated at other times (Mr 10:43f.; Mt 23:8ff.;
Lu 22:24f.). Mt 18:2 says that he called a little child, one
there in the house, perhaps Peter's child. Lu 9:47 notes that
he "set him by his side." Then Jesus {taking him in his arms}
(\enagkalisamenos\, aorist middle participle, late Greek word
from \agkal•\ as in Lu 2:28) spoke again to the disciples.
9:37 {One of such little children} (\hen t•n toiout•n paidi•n\).
Mt 18:5 has "one such little child" and Lu 9:48 "this little
child." It was an object lesson to the arrogant conceit of the
twelve apostles contending for primacy. They did not learn this
lesson for they will again wrangle over primacy (Mr 10:33-45; Mt
20:20-28) and they will be unable to comprehend easily what the
attitude of Jesus was toward children (Mr 10:13-16; Mt 19:13-15;
Lu 8:15-17). The child was used as a rebuke to the apostles.
9:38 {Because he followed not us} (\hoti ouk •kolouthei h•min\).
Note vivid imperfect tense again. John evidently thought to
change the subject from the constraint and embarrassment caused
by their dispute. So he told about a case of extra zeal on his
part expecting praise from Jesus. Perhaps what Jesus had just
said in verse 37 raised a doubt in John's mind as to the
propriety of his excessive narrowness. One needs to know the
difference between loyalty to Jesus and stickling over one's own
narrow prejudices.
9:39 {Forbid him not} (\m• k•luete\). Stop hindering him (\m•\
and the present-imperative) as John had been doing.
9:40 {He that is not against us is with us} (\hos ouk estin kath'
h•m•n huper h•m•n estin\). This profound saying throws a flood of
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