Mar 9:33-37 | NET2full | STEP | Then they came to Capernaum . After Jesus was inside the house he asked them , “ What were you discussing on the way ?”

Mark 9:33-37

Questions About the Greatest

33 Then ^{▼▼tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} they came to Capernaum. ^{▼▼sn Capernaum was a town located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, 680 ft (204 m) below sea level. It existed since Hasmonean times and was a major trade and economic center in the North Galilean region. The population in the first century is estimated to be around 1,500. Capernaum became the hub of operations for Jesus’ Galilean ministry (Matt 4:13; Mark 2:1). In modern times the site was discovered in 1838 by the American explorer E. Robinson, and major excavations began in 1905 by German archaeologists H. Kohl and C. Watzinger. Not until 1968, however, were remains from the time of Jesus visible; in that year V. Corbo and S. Loffreda began a series of annual archaeological campaigns that lasted until 1985. This work uncovered what is thought to be the house of Simon Peter as well as ruins of the first century synagogue beneath the later synagogue from the fourth or fifth century A.D. Today gently rolling hills and date palms frame the first century site, a favorite tourist destination of visitors to the Galilee.} After Jesus ^{▼▼tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} was inside the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 After he sat down, he called the twelve and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes ^{▼▼tn This verb, δέχομαι (dechomai), is a term of hospitality (L&N 34.53).} one of these little children ^{▼▼sn Children were very insignificant in ancient culture, so this child would be the perfect object lesson to counter the disciples’ selfish ambitions.} in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”