Interpretation of the Bible / Mark 9:35

Mark 9:35 is a teaching that focuses on humility and the importance of serving others.

Jesus is sitting with His disciples and telling them how the desire to be first or the best can lead to vanity and arrogance, which can be detrimental to a person’s faith and relationship with God. Instead, Jesus calls them to be servants of all, putting aside their own selfishness and caring for the well-being of others.

Humility in the Bible

Humility is a recurring theme in the Bible and is considered an important Christian virtue. Jesus himself is considered the perfect model of humility, serving others and putting aside his own honor and prestige.

In Philippians 2:3-4 we read, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This passage reminds us that humility involves putting the interests of others before our own.

The importance of service

Jesus teaches that serving others is an important way to demonstrate humility. In John 13:14-15, Jesus washes the feet of His disciples and tells them, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

This act of service is a powerful example of Jesus’ humility, as He was willing to devote Himself to service in order to teach His disciples the importance of service and humility. As followers of Christ, we too are called to serve others and to give up our own comfort and pride.