Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know [it]. 31 For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.” 32 But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
– Mark 9:30-32 (NKJV)
My grandfather asked me one day if I found any “air heads” down by the river. I thought it was strange that my grandpa knew about this wonderful sour candy and thought for sure I had misheard him but I wouldn’t dare ask him to repeat himself because he could get quite angry and so I just said, “no.” I was shocked when I showed him an “arrow head” that I had just found and he got mad at me anyway. Apparently that’s what he was saying all along.
Unlike my grandfather, I think Jesus was clear here when he was speaking with the disciples. I don’t think they had a problem understanding exactly what he was saying. I’m not even too sure that they were afraid of how Jesus would react. They seem to have no problem getting Pete to speak up and ask a question when they have one.
I do imagine the disciples were afraid about what Jesus was saying might mean. He said he would be killed, and that sounds pretty scary. They may have been afraid to dig in on this topic because it was a sad one. Jesus was a little more intentional about being secretive with his works now. I’m sure the air was filled with a little uncertainty on the disciples part.
Never-the-less, Jesus was preparing them for what would happen. They weren’t asking the right questions, but it didn’t stop him from sharing what would happen. They will be taken off guard, but when they regain their senses they will know that he had been preparing them all along. Like a good shephard he was leading them and preparing them for some of the hardest moments of their life.
I am grateful that Jesus is a good shepherd and that whether I recognize it or not, he has prepared me for the challenging moments I will face in my life. I may have been fearful to press in on places where he has worked and spoken in the past, but his grace will prove sufficient when the times of trial and tribulation come. He cares for me enough to speak the truth even when I haven’t been in a great frame to receive it.
This is often how bible reading works for me. I read and study today and glean a little insight, but then several days or weeks later the real application of that passage presses in on my life with urgency. I was prepared yesterday for the events of today and by God’s grace he has prepared me today for my tomorrow.
Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your grace that is always enough for every situation I face. Thank you that you have already prepared me for what lies ahead. Thank you for being a good shepherd and leading us in paths of righteousness and preparing us for the challenges we face. Let us receive and count every goodness and grace you have given us along the way. Give us discernment as we apply your word. In Jesus Name, Amen.
The Hill House 
Hi ,
(Mark 9 : 32)states : ‘The discipl es of Jesus under stood not His saying, & they were afraid to ask him.’
This verse is propounded nicely in this article.
This is one way of explanation about understanding.
[The similar words for understand ing are :Wisdom,recognition, consideration,realization,sense
knowledge, judgement,empathy perceptiveness, comprehension,
grasping,apprehension,insight,
intelligence, discernment, subtle, patient, intuition, foresight,
ingenious, awareness, etc.]
OnceJesus asked disciples about leaven :,”How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye
should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees & of the Sadducees?'( Matt.16 :11)
Vs.12 says,’Then they understood how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Phari sees & of the Sadducees .’
On one occasion they didn’t understand about one parable & Jesus said to them, “Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive?.”( Mark 7:18)
A man can have no understand ing, his own understanding or good understanding.
A) 4 Verses about having no understanding :
############
1) God said about lsraely people,” They are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understand ing in them.’ (Deut . 32 :28 )
“They have not known my ways.’ ( Hebrews 3:10)
2)’Jesus said to Nicodemus” Art thou a master of Israel & knowest not these things?’ (John 3:10)
3) (John 8:19)states:’ Pharisees said unto Jesus , Where is thy Father? Jesus answered,Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.’
4) (2 Timothy 1 :13 ) states ,’ Paul said, “l was before a blasphemer, a persecut , & injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly.’
B) 2 Verses about our own
understanding_:
(Proverbs 3 :5,6 ) says :’Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him & He will make your paths straight.”
(Proverbs 3 :7 ) states,’Be not wise in thine own eyes.’
C) Good understanding.
A person gets good understandin g through these ways :
1) By seeking God.
These are 2 verses _:
( Proverbs 28 : 5) states :’They that seek the LORD understand all things.’
(Psalms 119:34) states : ‘Give me understanding, so that I may
keep your law & obey it with all my heart.’
2) By ‘God’s precepts.
These are 4 verses _:
!) (Psalms 119:104) states :
‘ Through thy precepts I get understanding. ‘
!!) (Proverbs 4:5) says :’Get
wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.’
!!!) (Psalms 119:130) states :’The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.’
!v) ( Daniel 9 : 2) says: ‘lnthe first year of his reign, I, Daniel, under stood from the Scriptures, accord ing to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet.’
3) ‘By remaining patient.
(Proverbs 14 : 29) states :’ He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding. ‘
And,
4) By shunning evil.
(Job 28 : 28) says :’ To depart from evil is understanding.’
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