And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
Parallel translations
- WEB He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?”
- BSB Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
- NKJV Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”
- NASB They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He began to question them: “What were you discussing on the way?”
- NLT After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Back in Capernaum, Jesus asks what the disciples were arguing about on the road. His question gently exposes a heart problem they would rather hide.
Overview
Knowing their dispute, Jesus probes them so the issue can be brought into the light and corrected. The setting "in the house" signals private, formative teaching for the Twelve. This moment sets up Jesus' reversal of worldly notions of greatness, contrasting their ambition with his path of self-giving service.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Matt 18:1–5At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- Heb 4:13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
- Luke 9:46–48Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
- John 21:17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
- John 2:25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
- Rev 2:23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
- Ps 139:1–4O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
- Matt 17:24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
- Mark 2:8And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 9:33 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.