mark-9:23,-mark-9:24-niv

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:23

The omnipotence of faith. This is a case in which the revisers have introduced a dramatic play of expression into what has seemed a merely conditional statement; and apparently with the authority of the best manuscripts. The words of Christ are seen to be those of surprise and expostulation. He sends back the qualification which the man had uttered, and asserts the virtual omnipotence of faith, and, at the same time, the dauntlessness of its spirit. I. The SPIRIT WHICH ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:23-24

The most approved reading here is, not εἴ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι , but simply εἴ δύνασαι , So that the English rendering is , If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth . Our Lord takes up the father's words. It is as though he said, "Thou sayest to me, 'If thou canst do anything!' Ah, that 'If thou canst!' All things are possible to him that believeth." In other words, our Lord said to him, "Believe in me, and your child shall be healed." It was right that Christ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Mark 9:14-29

See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 17:14-21.Mark 9:14Questioning with them - Debating with the disciples, and attempting to confound them. This he saw as he came down from the mount. In his absence they had taken occasion to attempt to perplex and confound his followers.Mark 9:15Were greatly amazed - Were astonished and surprised at his sudden appearance among them.Saluted him - Received him with the customary marks of affection and respect. It is probable that this was not by... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Mark 9:23-27

Mark 9:23-27. Jesus said, If thou canst believe, &c. As if he had said, The question is not respecting my power, but thy faith. I can do all things: canst thou believe? If thou canst believe Canst rely with confidence on my power, love, and faithfulness, and be persuaded that I can and will grant thy request, the deliverance which thou desirest will surely be effected; for all things are possible To God, and all things of this kind, such as the deliverance of a person’s soul or body... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Mark 9:14-29

76. Healing of an uncontrollable boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)While the faith of the three apostles on the mountain was being strengthened, the faith of the other nine on the plain below was failing. They were unable to cure a boy who suffered from sudden fits that made him uncontrollable (Mark 9:14-18). After the heavenly experiences on the mountain, Jesus felt the frustration of work in a world that was full of human failure (Mark 9:19). Nevertheless, he did not despise... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Mark 9:23

If thou canst . Note how the Lord gives back the fathers question, with the same condition implied. believe . Omitted by T Tr. [A] WH R; not by the Syriac all things. Figure of speech Synecdoche ( App-6 ). All things included in the promise. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Mark 9:23

And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.These words must be understood as Jesus' rebuke of the father's lack of faith, and so the father accepted them. It is as if Jesus had said, "Look, any man who has faith will not set any limit on what the Lord is able to do." As Cranfield observed: "The father, instead of doubting the power of Jesus to help him, ought to have had a faith like that of the leper in Mark 1:40."[15] read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Mark 9:20-24

Mark 9:20-24. The spirit tare him— Cast him into convulsions. Doubtless Jesus could easily have prevented this attack; but he wisely permitted it, that the minds of the spectators might be impressed with a more lively notion of the young man's distress. It was for the same reason also that he asked his father how long he had been in that deplorable condition? who informed him, that he had been so even from his childhood. The afflicted father, greatly discouraged by the inability of our Lord's... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Mark 9:23

23. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe—The man had said, "If Thou canst do anything." Jesus replies. all things are possible to him that believeth—"My doing all depends on thy believing." To impress this still more, He redoubles upon the believing: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Thus the Lord helps the birth of faith in that struggling soul; and now, though with pain and sore travail, it comes to the birth, as TRENCH, borrowing from OLSHAUSEN,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 9:14-29

5. The exorcism of an epileptic boy 9:14-29 (cf. Matthew 17:14-20; Luke 9:37-43a)This is the last exorcism that Mark recorded. His narration of this story includes more detail than either Matthew or Luke’s. The disciples’ lack of glory in this story contrasts with Jesus’ glory in the Transfiguration. read more