17. And one of the multitude answered, and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son—"mine only child" (Luke 9:38). which hath a dumb spirit—a spirit whose operation had the effect of rendering his victim speechless, and deaf also (Luke 9:38- :). In Matthew's report of the speech (Luke 9:38- :), the father says "he is lunatic"; this being another and most distressing effect of the possession. read more
18. And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him; and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away—rather, "becomes withered," "dried up," or "paralyzed"; as the same word is everywhere else rendered in the New Testament. Some additional particulars are given by Luke, and by our Evangelist below. "Lo," says he in Luke 9:39, "a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly [or with difficulty] departeth from him."... read more
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
Perhaps Mark alone recorded Jesus’ question to stress His humanity. The result of the demons’ activity again shows their destructive purpose (cf. Mark 5:1-5). Jesus had given His disciples power to cast out demons (Mark 3:15), and they had done so successfully earlier (Mark 6:13). This boy showed the symptoms of epilepsy because of the demons’ affliction. read more
The Transfiguration. An Epileptic Healed. Prediction of His Death2-8. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Luke 9:28). See on Mt.9-13. A question about Elijah. See on Matthew 17:9-13.14-29. An epileptic healed (Matthew 17:14; Luke 9:37). See on Mt.23. If thou canst believe] RV ’If thou canst! All things,’ etc. 29. By prayer and fasting] RV omits ’and fasting,’ but the evidence for it is strong.30-32. Prediction of the Passion (Matthew 17:22; Luke 9:43). See on Mt.33-37. The controversy as to... read more
(14-29) And when he came to his disciples.—See Notes on Matthew 17:14-21. The narrative of St. Mark here becomes much the fullest of the three. He alone mentions, e.g., in this verse, the presence of the scribes disputing with the disciples, and in the next, the “running” and the “greeting” with which the multitude received our Lord as He came down from the mountain, and the question in Mark 9:16 as to the cause of the dispute. read more
(17) A dumb spirit.—This, again, is peculiar to St. Mark, as is also the “gnashing of the teeth” and the “pining” or “withering” in the next verse. read more
Mark 9:7 Oh that this misled and blindfolded world would see that Christ doth not rise and fall, stand or lie by men's apprehensions! What is Christ the lighter, that men do with Him by open proclamation as men do with clipped and light money? They are now crying down Christ... But the Lord hath weighed Him and balanced Him already: This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him! This worth and weight stand still. It is our part to cry: 'Up, up with Christ, and down, down with... read more
CHAPTER 9:14-29 (Mark 9:14-29)THE DEMONIAC BOY"And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the multitude, when they saw Him, were greatly amazed, and running to Him saluted Him. And He asked them, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered Him, Master, I brought unto Thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Mark 9:17-19
Mark 9:17-19. And one of the multitude answered and said,— From the man's narrative before us, in answer to what Jesus said to the scribes, What question ye with them? it appears that the scribes had been disputing with the disciples about the cure of this youth, which they had unsuccessfully attempted. Perhaps their want of success had given the scribes occasion to boast, that a devil was found, which neither the disciples nor their Master were able to cast out; but the disciples affirming... read more