Big Idea: This event is another fulcrum in the book, as three primary Markan themes coalesce: (1) the power and compassion of Christ, (2) demonic conflict, and (3) discipleship failure.

Understanding the Text

This is a classic example of the mountaintop/valley experience. The innermost circle of disciples experienced the glory of God in Jesus, as great a spiritual “high” as anyone in history has known. Now they are about to join the rest of the Twelve as they descend into the valley and face one of the lowest of failures the disciples have ever experienced. This again parallels the exodus story—particularly when Moses came off the mountain to face the apostasy and idolatry of the Jewish people in the “golden calf” incident (Exod. 32).1

Interpretive Insights

9:14  a large crowd . . . te…