Mark 9:9 As they were coming down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant. WEB
In John, chapter 11, we have the story about Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus. The sisters send word that Lazarus has become sick. Before Jesus and the disciples make the trip back, he dies and has been placed in a tomb. Martha meets Jesus as He arrives and tells Him that if He had only been there, her brother would not have died.
John 11:23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will still live, even if he dies. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, He who comes into the world NHEB
Martha’s understanding likely matches that of the apostles in that the resurrection of the dead will occur on the last day. In other words, the far off future. In the verses from Mark as well as the Lazarus story, Jesus is pointing toward a more immediate resurrection. The disciples may find that a little confusing since it conflicts with what they have understood about resurrection.
Mark 9:11 They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 And He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. And why is it written of the Son of Man that He should suffer many things and be rejected? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him.” NHEB
This question likely comes from Peter, John or James since they have just seen proof of Jesus as the Messiah and at the same time, have also seen Elijah (but have been sworn to silence). The apostles know that there hasn’t been a public appearance by Elijah yet the three have just seen him on the mountain along with the aforementioned proof of Jesus as the Messiah. Their question isn’t toward Jesus but rather an inquiry as to why this is being taught by the scribes. His answer is that the scribes are wrong. The following texts shed a little more light on John the Baptist and the role that he fills:
Matthew 11:9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. 10 This is the one of whom it is written, ‘Look, I send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he…..13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. NHEB
Luke 1:11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you are to name him John. 14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. 17 He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” NHEB
Jesus and the three apostles get to the bottom of the mountain and see a large gathering involved in a heated discussion with a party of scribes. It is easy to picture the nine apostles who didn’t travel up the mountain as being right in the middle of this argument.
Mark 9:14 As they came to rejoin the disciples, they saw an immense crowd surrounding them and a party of Scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately the whole multitude on beholding Him were astonished and awe-struck, and yet they ran forward and greeted Him. WEB
There are a number of parallels between the story of Moses on Mount Sinai and the transfiguration. While Moses was on the mountain, the people below made a golden calf to worship. There had been an incredible God experience happen on the mountain yet the people below are still confused. Same is true for the transfiguration. When Moses returned, the change in him as a result of being with God was noticeable as he glowed from being in contact with the light of God. It was visible to the people that Moses had been with God and it appears that the same thing is the case here as the people are awe-struck and astonished. This response indicates that they are in the presence of something that is overwhelming (similar to what we talk about in reference to “fear”) so there must be something different about Jesus as they behold Him.
Mark 9:15 Immediately all the crowd, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him greeted him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 And one out of the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit; 18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.” NHEB
Also see Matthew and Luke. Matthew uses the language of epilepsy to describe the boy’s condition. Jesus addresses it as demon possession. (We will see later than Jesus healed both epilepsy and demon possession. They look the same but aren’t). The real argument of the scribes is about authority and under whose authority these demons are being cast out. The Pharisees aren’t against exorcism – they are criticizing Jesus and His followers because they think Jesus, etal. are of the devil.