Today’s Gospel comes from a transitional portion of Mark’s narrative. The transition is seen in the secrecy of Jesus’ movements through Galilee (9:30); no longer will Jesus heal the sick there. In fact, only one more miracle is recorded before the triumphal entry: the healing of blind Bartimaeus (10:46-52).

Our text includes the second of three Passion predictions in Mark (8:31; 9:30–31; 10:33–34). The Son of God, revealed by miracle and teaching, is the Son of Man who will suffer and die and rise in Jerusalem. Having established Jesus’ identity, Mark is moving toward that very Passion.