Mark 9:18 kjv
And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
Mark 9:18 nkjv
And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not."
Mark 9:18 niv
Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."
Mark 9:18 esv
And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able."
Mark 9:18 nlt
And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it."
Mark 9 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 17:14-20 | And when they came to the crowd... said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely... I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him." | Parallel account; Jesus' disciples unable to heal. |
| Lk 9:37-43 | A man from the crowd cried out... "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth... Your disciples, but they could not cast it out." | Parallel account; describes the severity and the disciples' failure. |
| Mark 9:28-29 | When He came into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?" And He said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." | Jesus' direct explanation for their inability. |
| Matt 10:1 | And He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal every disease and every affliction. | Disciples' prior commission to cast out demons, highlighting the puzzle of their failure. |
| Mark 3:15 | and to have authority to cast out demons. | Authority given to the disciples for demonic expulsion. |
| Lk 10:17 | The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name!" | Disciples' successful experience with demonic subjugation in another context. |
| Lk 11:14 | Now He was casting out a demon that was mute, and when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the crowds marveled. | Jesus' own success in casting out a similar mute demon. |
| Matt 9:32-33 | As they went away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. | Another instance of Jesus casting out a mute demon, restoring speech. |
| Acts 19:13-16 | Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists undertook to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits... "Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?" And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them... | Shows that authority alone without spiritual backing is insufficient. |
| Jas 2:19 | You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! | Reveals demons' spiritual knowledge and fear of God's power. |
| Matt 12:43-45 | "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none... then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first." | Describes the nature and severity of evil spirits and their return. |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. | Emphasizes reliance on Christ for effective ministry and spiritual power. |
| Heb 11:6 | And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. | Underlines the necessity of faith, a key component mentioned by Jesus for casting out demons. |
| Jas 5:16 | Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. | Illustrates the power and effectiveness of prayer. |
| Matt 21:21 | And Jesus answered them, "Truly, I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done." | Links faith directly to overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. |
| Mk 11:23-24 | "Truly, I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." | Reaffirms the power of prayer coupled with unwavering faith. |
| Rom 8:26 | Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. | Addresses human weakness and reliance on the Holy Spirit for effective spiritual work, including prayer. |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Statement of divine enablement for all spiritual tasks, contrasting with human inability alone. |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. | Reinforces that God's power manifests in human weakness and dependence on Him. |
| Lk 17:5-6 | The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you." | Emphasizes the power of even a small amount of genuine faith. |
| Isa 35:5-6 | Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. | Old Testament prophecy pointing to physical and sensory healing, fulfilled in part by Christ's ministry including casting out mute demons. |
| Zech 13:2 | "And on that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will cut off the names of the idols from the land, so that they shall be remembered no more. And also I will remove from the land the prophets and the spirit of uncleanness." | Prophetic promise of the removal of unclean spirits, pointing to ultimate victory over evil. |
| Mk 6:5-6 | And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. | Jesus' own ministry could be affected by the atmosphere of unbelief. |
Mark 9 verses
Mark 9 18 Meaning
Mark 9:18 describes the father's report to Jesus about his demon-possessed son. He states that the evil spirit violently seizes the boy, causing him to fall, foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and become rigid or waste away. The core of the verse highlights the disciples' inability to cast out this particular demon despite their previous commission, presenting a stark contrast between their assigned authority and their current failure. This verse underscores the severe nature of the demonic affliction and the immediate crisis requiring Jesus' intervention.
Mark 9 18 Context
This verse occurs immediately after the profound event of Jesus' Transfiguration on a high mountain, where He was revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John. While Jesus and these three disciples were on the mountain, the remaining nine disciples were below, confronted by a desperate father bringing his demon-possessed son. The situation highlights a moment of significant spiritual struggle and vulnerability for the disciples. The scene captures the urgent reality of human suffering caused by evil forces, contrasted with the limited spiritual power of the disciples despite their previous successful exorcisms (Mark 6:7, 13). Historically and culturally, epilepsy-like symptoms were often attributed to demonic possession in the ancient world, especially when accompanied by inability to speak or hear, as indicated by the father's subsequent description of the spirit as "mute" or "deaf" (Mark 9:25). The scribes present questioning the disciples indicate a broader spiritual and theological conflict.
Mark 9 18 Word analysis
- And (Καὶ, Kai): A common conjunction, here introducing the father's continuation of his description of the son's affliction and the disciples' failure. It connects the physical symptoms with the failed exorcism attempt.
- wherever (ὅπου, hopou): Implies the sporadic and unpredictable nature of the attacks, signifying the demon's control and the boy's constant vulnerability.
- it seizes (καταλάβῃ, katalabē): A strong verb meaning "to take hold of," "to overpower," or "to grasp firmly." It signifies a violent and complete taking possession, not merely influence. It highlights the demon's direct physical control over the boy.
- him (αὐτόν, auton): Refers directly to the demon-possessed boy, the subject of the tragic affliction.
- it throws him down (ῥήσσει, rhēssei): Literally, "to dash," "to tear," or "to strike forcefully to the ground." This depicts the violent, convulsive nature of the demonic attack, resembling an epileptic seizure, consistent with symptoms often attributed to demons.
- and he foams at the mouth (ἀφρίζει, aphrizei): A specific, graphic symptom of severe fits, indicating extreme physical distress and uncontrollable convulsions caused by the demonic activity.
- and grinds his teeth (τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας, trizei tous odontas): Another clear indicator of intense pain, agony, or severe spasm during the seizure. This also aligns with descriptions of torment in the Old and New Testaments.
- and becomes rigid (καὶ ξηραίνεται, kai xērainetai): The verb xērainō (ξηραίνω) means "to dry up," "to wither," or "to become stiff/hard." In this context, it likely describes a state of extreme stiffness, paralysis, or wasting away, indicating the long-term, debilitating effects of the possession on the boy's body.
- And I told (καὶ εἶπον, kai eipon): The father's direct plea and instruction, revealing his desperation and trust that Jesus' disciples possessed the power to help.
- Your disciples (τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου, tois mathētais sou): Specific reference to Jesus' followers, emphasizing that he sought help from those authorized by Jesus. This places the blame for the failure squarely on them, rather than a lack of understanding or power generally.
- to cast it out (ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσιν, hina auto ekbalōsin): A purpose clause, clearly stating the father's request and the expected action from the disciples – an exorcism. The verb ekballō is standard for "casting out" demons.
- and they were not able (καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν, kai ouk ēdunēthēsan): A crucial statement of utter failure. The aorist indicative ēdunēthēsan (were able) with the negative particle ouk (not) conveys a definitive lack of capacity in this instance, a stark contrast to their previous successes.
Words-group analysis
- "wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid": This descriptive cluster vividly portrays the harrowing, severe, and physically manifested impact of the demonic possession. The sequence of actions—seizing, throwing, foaming, grinding teeth, becoming rigid—points to a pattern resembling grand mal epileptic seizures, though the underlying cause is explicitly spiritual. It suggests the demon's total control and the boy's extreme suffering. The detail here highlights the strength of this particular demonic entity and the profound level of bondage experienced by the boy.
- "And I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able": This group highlights the crux of the narrative's tension. The father, having recognized the authority and power inherent in "Your disciples" (meaning Jesus' representatives), entrusted them with his son's healing. Their utter inability ("were not able") to perform the exorcism—despite their earlier commission to cast out demons—is presented as a stark and humiliating failure, creating an urgent situation for Jesus' immediate intervention and a teaching moment for the disciples about the nature of true spiritual power and the intensity of spiritual warfare.
Mark 9 18 Bonus section
The type of demon described, which caused muteness and deafnes (implied later by Mark 9:25's description of the demon as "deaf and mute spirit"), indicates a more entrenched or resistant spiritual entity. In ancient demonology and biblical narratives, demons causing such sensory blockages were often considered particularly difficult to cast out, as they also prevented the affected person from hearing or responding to any command, including spiritual ones. This added to the challenge faced by the disciples. The phrase "becomes rigid" (xērainetai) not only indicates stiffness but also has a connotation of wasting away or withering, which suggests a gradual and severe debilitation that the demon inflicted on the boy's physical well-being over time. This particular incident served as a dramatic contrast between the disciples' present state and their future empowerment through the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, illustrating that while authority was granted, the full measure of spiritual enablement was yet to come through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This failure served to humble them and prepare them for deeper dependence on Jesus and the power of God.
Mark 9 18 Commentary
Mark 9:18 captures a pivotal moment demonstrating the disciples' limitations in confronting severe demonic power. The detailed description of the boy's torment—violent convulsions, foaming, teeth grinding, rigidity—underscores the ferocity of the spirit and the depth of the suffering it inflicted. Despite their prior empowerment by Jesus to cast out demons, and previous successful missions, the nine disciples remaining at the base of the mountain found themselves impotent before this particular "mute spirit." Their inability reveals that spiritual authority, while given, requires more than just commission; it demands continued spiritual readiness, a profound dependence on Jesus, and a deep understanding of spiritual warfare's intensity. This failure highlights the essential need for faith and prayer (as Jesus later explains in Mark 9:29) for handling resistant evil. It also points to the unique, supreme authority of Jesus Christ over all demonic forces, which He swiftly demonstrates. This instance served as a stark lesson for the disciples regarding their own weaknesses and their absolute reliance on divine power for truly effective ministry.For practical usage, this event reminds believers that:
- Not all spiritual battles are simple or easily won by rote actions.
- Even with authority, spiritual impotence can occur due to lack of faith or insufficient prayer.
- Our personal spiritual walk and reliance on Christ are critical for effective spiritual warfare.