They are on the way to the suffering in Jerusalem (Mark 9:30–31). Therefore, it is of importance for the rest of the voyage to know what they were arguing about on the way. The door cannot be closed after this voyage (and its tensions), because via Capernaum the voyage will continue to the goal that has been announced but has not been understood. Because this journey to suffering is central for Jesus, peace on the way is also essential for his disciples. Therefore, the Master must speak to his disciples about their arguing on the way.1
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”