Mark 9:23

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 9:23

Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe ,.... As the man put an "if" on the power of Christ, Christ puts an "if" on the faith of the man; and tacitly suggests, that power was not wanting in himself, but faith in him; and should that cure not be performed, it would not be owing to any inability in him, but to his own incredulity. The Arabic version renders it, "what is this thy: saying, if thou canst do any thing?" What dost thou mean by it? Thou oughtest not to doubt of my power; there is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:23

If Thou canst Believe - This was an answer to the inquiry above. I can furnish a sufficiency of power, if thou canst but bring faith to receive it. Why are not our souls completely healed? Why is not every demon cast out? Why are not pride, self-will, love of the world, lust, anger, peevishness, with all the other bad tempers and dispositions which constitute the mind of Satan, entirely destroyed? Alas! it is because we do not believe; Jesus is able; more, Jesus is willing; but we are not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:23

Verse 23 23.If thou canst believe. “You ask me,” says he, “to aid you as far as I can; but you will find in me an inexhaustible fountain of power, provided that the faith which you bring be sufficiently large.” Hence may be learned a useful doctrine, which will apply equally to all of us, that it is not the Lord that prevents his benefits from flowing to us in large abundance, but that it must be attributed to the narrowness of our faith, that it comes to us only in drops, and that frequently... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:14-29

The demoniac. I. WANT OF SPIRITUAL POWER IS CAUSED BY WANT OF FAITH . Faith is a mighty word in the gospel. It really includes all the energies of knowing, feeling, and willing; it is the entire affirmation of the man in favor of truth, goodness, and love. It is life in the power of God. In a sense it is unnatural to be without faith, for it is the pulse of the world. If we have not this we are weak, we cannot move a step beyond the bounds of actual: knowledge—can take... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:14-29

Parallel passages: Matthew 17:14-21 ; Luke 9:37-43 Healing of a demoniac youth, after the disciples' failure. I. S TRIKING CONTRAST . We can scarcely imagine a greater contrast than that which is here presented between the scene on the mountain and that in the plain below—the tranquillity of the one, the tumult of the other; the calm repose of the one, the unrest of the other; the blessedness of the one, the distress of the other; the gladness of the one, the sadness of the... read more

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