Mark 9:23-25

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:24

Verse 24 24.Lord, I believe. He declares that he believes, and yet acknowledges himself to have unbelief These two statements may appear to contradict each other, but there is none of us that does not experience both of them in himself. As our faith is never perfect, it follows that we are partly unbelievers; but God forgives us, and exercises such forbearance towards us, as to reckon us believers on account of a small portion of faith. It is our duty, in the meantime, carefully to shake off... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Mark 9:25-29

The multitude had been much excited by the dispute between the scribes and our Lord's disciples. And now, when they noticed that he had taken the father apart, as no doubt he had done, to question him they came running together (the word is ἐπισυντρέχει , an unusual word, meaning "they ran together to the place") where he was, crowding upon him. Then he came forward, and with a voice of sublime authority he said, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him and enter no... 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

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