Glory be to Jesus Christ!
🌞
The reading from the Epistle of the apostle Paul to Titus begins.
The apostle Paul is addressing Titus, the apostle from 70, who was also the bishop of Crete.
Paul writes first about the requirements for a bishop, and then about what was common at that time: preachers of circumcision and observance of the ceremonial component of the Law of Moses often did so out of a desire for enrichment, while the apostles worked unselfishly and sacrificially. Those preachers were more likely to be listened to by people with a bad conscience, who thought that by observing ritual rules and regulations they could make a deal
with their conscience, calm their minds in ignorance
, etc. Paul speaks out against this understanding and attitude to faith in these words.
The disciples' question about Elijah (John the Baptist) as a forerunner of the coming of Christ. The disciples' general lack of understanding of Jesus and His mission is also evident. Nevertheless, the Lord continues to reveal the truth to them — gradually.
For the parallel passage to Mark IX, 11-13 in Matthew (Matthew XVII, 10-12), see the link:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27072023.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!