But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
Parallel translations
- WEB But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest.
- KJV But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
- NKJV But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.
- NASB But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which of them was the greatest.
- NLT But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
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
The disciples are silent because they had argued about who was greatest. Their shame reveals how out of step their ambition was with Jesus' coming sacrifice.
Overview
Just after Jesus predicted his death, the disciples quarreled over rank, a jarring contrast Mark sets deliberately. Their silence betrays a guilty conscience. The episode shows how deeply self-promotion grips the human heart, and prepares the way for Jesus to redefine greatness as humble service modeled supremely in himself.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Mark 9:50Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
- Luke 9:46–48Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.
- Luke 22:24–30A dispute also arose among the disciples as to which of them would be considered the greatest.
- Phil 2:3–7Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
- 3 Jn 1:9I have written to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not accept our instruction.
- Rom 12:10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
- 1 Pet 5:3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.
- Matt 20:21–24“What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.”
- Matt 18:1–5At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 9:34 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.