Luke 9:39 kjv

And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

Luke 9:39 nkjv

And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.

Luke 9:39 niv

A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him.

Luke 9:39 esv

And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.

Luke 9:39 nlt

An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone.

Luke 9 verses

Luke 9 39 Meaning

Luke 9:39 vividly describes the torment of a boy possessed by an evil spirit. The spirit aggressively seizes him, causing him to suddenly cry out. It throws him into violent convulsions, marked by foaming at the mouth, indicating extreme suffering. The passage further emphasizes the spirit's persistent and destructive nature, noting that it struggles to depart and leaves the boy severely injured or "mauled" in the process. This portrayal underscores the intense physical and spiritual distress inflicted by the demonic entity.

Luke 9 39 Context

Luke 9:39 is part of a significant narrative sequence following the Transfiguration of Jesus and preceding His strong teaching about humility and discipleship. Immediately before this event, Jesus, Peter, John, and James descended from the mountain (Luke 9:28-36), where they witnessed Jesus' glory and spoke of His impending departure (exodus). Upon their return, they find a large crowd and the remaining disciples struggling with a particular case. A father has brought his severely afflicted son to the disciples, who, despite having been previously given authority over demons (Luke 9:1), failed to cast out this spirit (Luke 9:40). This inability of the disciples sets the stage for Jesus' arrival and powerful intervention. Historically and culturally, illness and mental distress were often attributed to spiritual causes or demonic influence, a widespread belief in the ancient Near East and among Jewish communities. Luke's detailed medical descriptions are also notable, although he consistently attributes the root cause to a demonic spirit. The struggle with this specific demon highlights not only the severe nature of evil but also the limits of the disciples' present faith and understanding, contrasting sharply with Jesus' divine authority.

Luke 9 39 Word analysis

• And behold (καὶ ἰδοὺ - kai idou): "And" links this vivid description to the ongoing narrative. "Behold" is a call for immediate attention, signaling something remarkable, surprising, and visually striking is about to unfold. It heightens the dramatic impact of the unfolding events.
• a spirit (πνεῦμα - pneuma): In this context, "spirit" refers specifically to an evil or unclean spirit, a demonic entity. The lack of an article in Greek implies a certain kind of spirit, clearly understood in the narrative as malevolent. It denotes a non-physical entity with a distinct malevolent will and power.
• seizes him (λαμβάνει αὐτόν - lambanei auton): "Seizes" implies a violent, sudden, and complete grasp or possession. It’s an active, aggressive action by the spirit, illustrating its control and invasive power over the boy. The spirit initiates the action.
• and he suddenly cries out (καὶ ἐξαίφνης κράζει - kai exaiphnes krazei): "Suddenly" emphasizes the abrupt and unexpected nature of the seizure. "Cries out" indicates a loud, often harsh, inarticulate shout, perhaps of pain, distress, or involuntary noise. It’s an audible manifestation of the torment.
• and it throws him into convulsions (καὶ σπαράσσει αὐτὸν - kai sparassei auton): "Throws into convulsions" (from sparasso) describes a violent physical tearing, rending, or convulsive motion. It implies extreme contortions and physical distress, depicting the demon's destructive force upon the boy's body.
• with foam (μετὰ ἀφροῦ - meta aphrou): A visible symptom indicating the severity of the convulsion and internal distress. Foaming at the mouth is often associated with intense suffering, disease, or extreme physical exertion during seizures. This detail underlines the horrific physical reality.
• and it can hardly leave him (καὶ μόγις ἀποχωρεῖ ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ - kai mogis apochōrei ap’ autou): "Hardly" or "with difficulty" points to the spirit's stubborn resistance and the intense struggle involved in its attempted withdrawal. It suggests the spirit clings to its host, making release arduous. This is not a simple departure.
• mauling him (συντρίβον αὐτόν - syntribon auton): "Mauling" (from syntribo) literally means "to crush," "break," or "shatter." Even as it struggles to depart, the spirit continues to inflict harm, leaving the boy broken, bruised, or worn out. This final detail vividly portrays the lasting physical damage and destructive residue of demonic oppression.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• And behold, a spirit seizes him: This opening phrase establishes the supernatural agent of affliction and its immediate, forceful control. The "behold" creates a sense of immediacy and stark reality for the reader.
• and he suddenly cries out, and it throws him into convulsions: These phrases depict the rapid escalation of physical symptoms under demonic influence. The progression from an initial outcry to violent, uncontrollable body movements emphasizes the spirit's brutal power.
• so that he foams at the mouth: This specific physical detail provides a graphic, unmistakable sign of severe affliction, leaving no doubt about the boy's acute distress and the visible impact of the spirit's presence.
• and it can hardly leave him, mauling him as it does: This final phrase describes the demon's tenacity and continued malevolent action even in the process of departure. It highlights the lingering destructive effects on the boy's body, indicating that even the struggle to leave causes further harm, leaving him weakened or damaged.

Luke 9 39 Bonus section

The medical detail in Luke 9:39, including terms like sparassō (convulsions) and aphrou (foam), is characteristic of Luke's gospel, reflecting his background as a physician (Col 4:14). However, Luke consistently differentiates these symptoms as being caused by a demon rather than being merely an epileptic fit. This distinction is crucial, underscoring that while the symptoms might appear similar to natural illnesses, the underlying cause is spiritual, requiring a spiritual solution. The narrative presents a clear case of true demonic possession rather than simply a misunderstood physical ailment, asserting Jesus' supernatural power over the forces of evil. The intensity of the demonic grip also points to a form of spiritual warfare where the adversary is not willing to concede easily, foreshadowing the greater spiritual conflict Jesus would engage in during His ministry.

Luke 9 39 Commentary

Luke 9:39 provides a chilling, medical-level description of demonic oppression, highlighting the profound suffering it inflicted upon an innocent boy. It emphasizes the reality of the demonic, not as a metaphor for illness, but as a distinct, powerful entity inflicting tangible harm. The symptoms described — seizures, foaming, convulsions, and physical bruising — would have been immediately recognizable to the audience as distinct from natural disease, firmly attributing the suffering to the direct malevolent activity of a spirit. The intensity of the spirit's grip and the difficulty of its departure serve to underscore its power and the desperate need for a stronger authority than that demonstrated by the disciples. This verse serves as a preamble to Jesus' intervention, contrasting the evil spirit's destructive power with His ultimate, effortless authority, setting the stage for His display of compassion and triumph. It reminds us of the true spiritual battle in which humanity is engaged.