Mark 9:21-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Mark 9:14-29

We have here the story of Christ casting the devil out of a child, somewhat more fully related than it was in Matt. 17:14 Observe here, I. Christ's return to his disciples, and the perplexity he found them in. He laid aside his robes of glory, and came to look after his family, and to enquire what was become of them. Christ's glory above does not make him forget the concerns of his church below, which he visits in great humility, Mark 9:14. And he came very seasonably, when the disciples were... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Mark 9:19-24

9:19-24 "O faithless generation!" Jesus answered. "How long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear you? Bring him to me!" They brought him to Jesus. When he saw Jesus, the spirit immediately sent the boy into a convulsion, and he fell upon the ground, and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked his father, "How long is it since this happened to him?" He said, "He has been like this since he was a child. Often it throws him into the fire and into waters for it is out to destroy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:21

And he asked his father ,.... As he lay rolling about in this miserable condition, that the length and stubbornness of his disorder might be known, and so the cure the more remarkable, and appear the more expressive of his divine power and goodness: how long is it ago since this came unto him ? since this evil spirit entered into him, and these disorders have attended him? and he said of a child ; or "from his infancy"; so that it was not for any actual sin that he had committed,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Mark 9:22

And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire ,.... When he has been near it; so that one part or other of his body has been scorched, or burnt, and his life in danger: and into the waters to destroy him : when he has been near any brook, or river, it has thrown him into it, in order to drown him, as into the fire to burn him. The Ethiopic version before fire and water reads, "into the deep"; meaning either the sea or some deep pit, or off a precipice. All this is said to aggravate the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:22

If Thou canst Do any thing - I have already tried thy disciples, and find they can do nothing in this case; but if thou hast any power, in mercy use it in our behalf. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:21

Verse 21 21.From a child. Hence we infer that this punishment was not inflicted on account of the sins of the individual, but was a secret judgment of God. True indeed, even infants, as soon as they have come out of the womb, are not innocent in the sight of God, or free from guilt; but God’s chastisements have sometimes hidden causes, and are intended to try our obedience. We do not render to God the honor which is due to Him, unless with reverence and modesty we adore His justice, when it is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:22

Verse 22 22.If thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. We see how little honor he renders to Christ; for, supposing him to be some prophet, whose power was limited, he approaches to him with hesitation. On the other hand, the first foundation of faith is, to embrace the boundless power of God; and the first step to prayer is, to raise it above all opposition by the firm belief that our prayers are not in vain. As this man did not suppose Christ to be at all different from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:14-28

The healing of the lunatic youth. Descending from "the holy mount," where he had "received honor and glory from God the Father," a scene presented itself in direct contrast to "the majesty" of which the favored three had then been "eye-witnesses." Around the disciples "they saw a great multitude, and scribes questioning with them." They had suffered a painful defeat. One of the multitude had brought to them his son, having "a dumb spirit;" and he spake to the "disciples that they should... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:14-29

The lunatic boy. In Raphael's picture of the Transfiguration, which has often been called the greatest of all paintings, the foreground is occupied by a vivid representation of this marvellous miracle wrought by our Lord upon his descent from the mountain. The conjunction of the two incidents, which are in such striking contrast with each other, seems suggestive. The native glory of the Redeemer shone forth in the presence of the three favored disciples upon the holy mount. But the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:14-29

The cure of the demoniac child. This stands out in striking contrast with the halcyon hour on the mountain with which the three had been favored. Their brethren were experiencing a greater difficulty than they had ever yet known. But the discussion of the saying they had kept, formed for the three an intermediate step down into actual life, and daily events and troubles. Christ, on the other hand, appears to have received a greater fullness of Messianic consciousness and power through his... read more

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