And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text highlights the crowd's amazement not just at Jesus' sudden arrival, but specifically because they saw him. This suggests a visible, almost tangible aura of glory or majesty that lingered from his transfiguration, leaving them awestruck and drawn to him.
And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just returned from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, only to find his other disciples surrounded by a hostile crowd and arguing with scribes over a boy possessed by a demon. The disciples couldn't cast the spirit out, and the scribes were using this failure to challenge Jesus and his followers. The people gathered, seeing Jesus, are immediately struck by awe, running to him as he arrives to address the chaotic scene.
Why did the crowd react with such shock and awe when Jesus appeared?
The text tells us the crowd was "greatly amazed" at the sight of Jesus. While not explicitly stated, many scholars suggest this amazement stemmed from a visible radiance or an unusual divine majesty about Him. This could be a residual effect from His recent transfiguration on the mount.
Think of Moses, whose face shone after encountering God. Jesus' appearance, even just moments after this divine revelation, likely carried a similar, though perhaps subtler, holy impressiveness. This wasn't just a man arriving; it was God in human flesh, and His divine nature was, for a moment, undeniably apparent to those who saw Him.
Jesus’ arrival wasn't just amazing; it was a swift turning point in a tense situation.
The scene before Jesus arrived was fraught with tension. The disciples had failed to cast out a demon, and the scribes were actively confronting and questioning them. This created an atmosphere of doubt and criticism, possibly leaving the disciples feeling exposed and the father of the afflicted child desperate.
Jesus' sudden appearance acted as an immediate intervention. The crowd, sensing the shift in spiritual atmosphere and perhaps recognizing Jesus' inherent authority, rushed towards Him. Their amazement and hurried greeting show a collective recognition that the difficult situation was about to change. Jesus became a refuge from the hostility and failure that had been present.
Understand the original words
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ekthambeomai · Greek Verb
To be struck with astonishment, wonder, or awe. In the Gospels, this term often describes the human reaction to the manifestation of divine presence or power in the person of Jesus.
The immediate awe and amazement of the crowd upon seeing Jesus, even before He speaks, likely stems from the lingering glory of His recent transfiguration. This divine radiance sets Him apart, making His arrival a powerful counterpoint to the disciples' failure and the scribes' questioning.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. This period sees numerous miracles and encounters with various groups.
c. AD 29
The Transfiguration Event
Jesus is transfigured on a mountain with Moses and Elijah, revealing His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. This event occurs shortly before the incident with the demon-possessed boy.
c. AD 29
Disciples' Failure to Heal Boy
While Jesus is on the mountain, His other disciples are unable to cast a demon out of a boy, leading to a confrontation with scribes.
c. AD 29— this verse
Jesus' Return and Encounter
Jesus descends from the mountain and immediately encounters a large crowd, including the boy's father and the arguing scribes. The crowd is amazed upon seeing Him.
c. AD 29
Jesus Heals the Boy
Jesus confronts the demon, heals the boy, and restores him to his father, demonstrating His authority over spiritual and physical affliction.
c. AD 30
Journey to Jerusalem
Jesus begins His final journey to Jerusalem, aware of the coming suffering and death, yet continuing His ministry and teaching.
Just as the people were amazed by Moses' shining face after encountering God, the crowd in Mark 9 was likely struck by a similar, though perhaps less visible, divine radiance on Jesus after His transfiguration.
Matthew 17:14-21This parallel account details the same event, highlighting the disciples' inability to cast out the demon and Jesus' rebuke of their faithlessness, providing crucial context for the crowd's amazement at Jesus' immediate power.
Luke 9:43This passage emphasizes the astonishment of all the people at Jesus' mighty deeds, underscoring that the crowd's amazement in Mark 9 was a natural reaction to witnessing God's power at work.
John 1:14The Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, full of grace and truth, helps us understand the inherent awe-inspiring majesty of Jesus that would naturally amaze those who encountered Him, especially after a divine encounter like the transfiguration.
expositorsMark 9:14-29: "And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them."
CHAPTER 9:14-29 (Mark 9:14-29)THE DEMONIAC BOY "And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the multitude, when they saw Him, were greatly amazed, and running to Him saluted Him. And He asked them, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered Him, Master, I brought un…
ellicottMark 9:15: "And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him."
(15) Were greatly amazed. —This fact is noted by St. Mark only. We are not told what caused it. Was there some lingering radiance, or some expression of divine joy hardly less radiant, that struck the disciples and the people as strangely unlike the sadness that had been shown in recent words and looks? ( Mark 8:30-33 ).
The text highlights the crowd's amazement not just at Jesus' sudden arrival, but specifically because they saw him. This suggests a visible, almost tangible aura of glory or majesty that lingered from his transfiguration, leaving them awestruck and drawn to him.
Jesus has just returned from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, only to find his other disciples surrounded by a hostile crowd and arguing with scribes over a boy possessed by a demon. The disciples couldn't cast the spirit out, and the scribes were using this failure to challenge Jesus and his followers. The people gathered, seeing Jesus, are immediately struck by awe, running to him as he arrives to address the chaotic scene.
Jesus has just returned from the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James, and John, only to find his other disciples surrounded by a hostile crowd and arguing with scribes over a boy possessed by a demon. The disciples couldn't cast the spirit out, and the scribes were using this failure to challenge Jesus and his followers. The people gathered, seeing Jesus, are immediately struck by awe, running to him as he arrives to address the chaotic scene.
"And immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed and ran up to him and greeted him." — The text highlights the crowd's amazement not just at Jesus' sudden arrival, but specifically because they saw him. This suggests a visible, almost tangible aura of glory or majesty that lingered f…
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Last reviewed October 2026