Bible Study Notes 3/17/2026

WORD ALIVE! BIBLE STUDY ^©2026

Journey To Bethlehem and Beyond – Post Advent / Winter Series

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton – Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Quiet Time: Max Lucado, Because of Bethlehem:

Love Is Born, Hope Is Here, 2020

Lesson 13

17 March 2026

Mark 9:1-13, NLT: In this study we turn to the Gospel of Mark where Jesus is revealed in His divine office as Messiah and Son of Man. Regardless of His deity, the disciples often looked at Jesus only in human dimensions. They often were astonished when they witnessed a glimpse of His glory, and His communion with the Heavenly Father. The Transfiguration (another revelation of His divine office) caught off guard the three disciples who accompanied Jesus to a high mountain. The stillness of that place was overshadowed by a divine illumination that gave Jesus an inexplicable appearance. The prophets Moses and Elijah also appeared but soon left. Peter wanted to memorialize the moment, by erecting three structures, but Jesus rejected this. Jesus told them they would understand the experience, only after He had risen from the dead. In the time ahead, they struggled with the meaning of His death!

Verses & Explanations for Mark 9:1-13, NLT:

Observe     Interpret     Apply

(Verse 1): Jesus Predicts the Revealing of His Kingdom.

Jesus went on to say, “I Tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!”

(Verses 2-3): A Glimpse of the Kingdom Revealed.

² Six days later Jesus took Peter, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, ³ and His clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.

(Verse 4): The Deity of Jesus Illumined.

⁴ Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus.

(Verses 5-7): Human Reasoning Overshadowed.

⁵ Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials – one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ He said this because He didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. ⁷ Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to Him.”

(Verse 8): Focus on Jesus as Lord and Messiah.

⁸ Suddenly when they looked around Moses and Elijah were gone. And they saw only Jesus with them.

(Verses 9-10): Holding Teachings in Confidence.

⁹ As they went back down the mountain. He told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept to themselves, but they often asked each other what He meant by “Rising from the dead.”

(Verses 11-13): Jesus, not prophets, is the Messiah.

¹¹ Then they asked Him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” ¹² Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? ¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse Him, just as the Scriptures predicted.”

Further Reading:

Matthew 11:13-14, NLT:

¹³ “For before John came, all the prophets and the law of Moses looked forward to this day present time. ¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept what I say, He [John] is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come.”

Matthew 16:16, NLT:

¹⁶ Simon Peter said, “You are Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

The Key Idea:

What We Believe!  

1.“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!” – Psalm 119:105