Mark 9 20

Mark 9:20 kjv

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

Mark 9:20 nkjv

Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9:20 niv

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9:20 esv

And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9:20 nlt

So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 20 Meaning

Mark 9:20 vividly describes the immediate and violent reaction of a demonic spirit inhabiting a young boy upon being brought into the presence of Jesus. The evil spirit recognized Jesus and, in a desperate display of defiance and resistance to His divine authority, convulsed the boy with extreme force, causing him to fall to the ground, roll about uncontrollably, and foam at the mouth. This severe manifestation underscores the reality and intensity of spiritual warfare, highlighting the demon's terror and the devastating power it wielded over its victim before Christ's intervention.

Mark 9 20 Context

Mark 9:20 takes place immediately after a profound spiritual experience for Jesus and three of His disciples (Peter, James, and John)—the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8). They descend from the mountain to find the other nine disciples struggling unsuccessfully to cast out a demon from a young boy. The father of the boy has brought his afflicted son to the disciples, who, despite having been given authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7), could not deliver him. This verse depicts the very moment the boy is brought to Jesus, setting the scene for Jesus to demonstrate His unmatched divine power and sovereignty over all evil forces, contrasting sharply with the disciples' impotence and the father's growing despair. The immediate and violent reaction of the demon foreshadows the climactic spiritual confrontation that is about to occur and underscores the absolute authority of Jesus.

Mark 9 20 Word analysis

• And they brought (Καὶ ἤνεγκαν - Kai ēnenkan): The initial conjunction "And" connects this action directly to the preceding events. "They brought" implies the effort of the father and possibly others, indicating desperation and a turning point after the disciples' failure.
• the boy to him (αὐτὸν τὸν παῖδα πρὸς αὐτόν - auton ton paida pros auton): Emphatic usage, stressing "him, the boy" being brought specifically "to Him" (Jesus). The word païs (παιδα) denotes a child, emphasizing the innocence and vulnerability of the victim.
• And when the spirit (καὶ ἰδὼν τὸ πνεῦμα - kai idōn to pneuma): "And seeing, the spirit." This is a key phrase. The "spirit" (pneuma - πνεῦμα) here specifically refers to the evil, demonic spirit. Its action of "seeing" (ἰδών - idōn, a participle) is highly significant; the demon recognizes Jesus immediately, showcasing its supernatural awareness and inherent dread of the Son of God.
• saw him, immediately (αὐτὸν εὐθύς - auton euthys): "Saw Him" refers to Jesus. Mark's characteristic adverb "immediately" (euthys - εὐθύς) emphasizes the instantaneous nature of the demon's reaction. It's not a delay; it's a direct, visceral response to Jesus's holy presence, confirming the demon's terror and desperation. This "immediately" is critical, indicating the supernatural sensitivity and alarm of the demon.
• it convulsed (συνεσπάραξεν - synesparaxen): This is a strong Greek verb, sysparassō (συσπαράσσω), meaning "to tear, convulse violently, throw into convulsions." It describes a forceful, internal wrenching or tearing. This is not merely a spasm but a severe, visible, and agonizing reaction inflicted by the demon upon the boy, attempting to assert its malicious power in a final, futile display against Christ's imminent deliverance.
• the boy, and he fell on the ground (αὐτὸν καὶ πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς - auton kai pesōn epi tēs gēs): The direct object "the boy" shows he is the victim. The result is "falling on the ground" (pesōn epi tēs gēs), signifying complete loss of control, helplessness, and the public nature of the boy's affliction.
• and rolled about (ἐκυλίετο - ekylieto): The imperfect tense of kylio (κυλίω) indicates a continuous or repeated action of "wallowing" or "rolling around." This highlights the protracted and severe nature of the convulsions, an undignified display of torment.
• foaming at the mouth (ἀφρίζων - aphrizōn): This participle means "foaming." It's a common symptom associated with severe seizures, here unequivocally attributed to demonic activity. This adds a vivid, distressing detail to the boy's suffering, completing the picture of extreme distress.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And when the spirit saw him, immediately": This phrase dramatically sets up the spiritual confrontation. It portrays the demonic entity as conscious, possessing recognition (of Jesus), and reacting instantly and violently to divine holiness. This isn't just a natural illness but a spiritual entity actively manifesting its hostility. The demonic 'vision' is terrifying in its spiritual accuracy.
• "it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth": This entire clause details the horrific physical consequences of demonic power. The vivid description of "convulsing," "falling," "rolling about," and "foaming" illustrates the brutal reality of demonic oppression, depicting a victim in utter agony and loss of human dignity. It also demonstrates the demon's desperate and powerful resistance, exhausting its destructive potential against the light of Christ.

Mark 9 20 Bonus section

The profound reaction of the demon in Mark 9:20 provides insight into the nature of spiritual warfare:

• Recognition of Divine Presence: Evil forces are keenly aware of the presence of true holiness and divine authority. Their reaction is one of terror and hostility. This suggests that the spiritual realm is more cognizant of Christ's true identity than often acknowledged by humanity.
• Resistance, Not Defiance: While the demon's reaction is violent and appears defiant, it is ultimately an act of futile resistance. The demon's power, though terrifyingly destructive in human terms, is no match for Christ's sovereignty. It's a last-gasp display of power before inevitable expulsion.
• Physical Manifestations of Spiritual Oppression: The symptoms described are typical of severe epileptic seizures, which in ancient times, were often attributed to demonic possession. The Bible here makes a clear spiritual attribution for this specific case. It illustrates that spiritual torment can have devastating physical consequences, requiring a spiritual solution.
• The Unveiling of Hidden Evil: The demon chose to make a public and violent display. This public manifestation, rather than diminishing Jesus's power, ultimately served to highlight it by making the evil force undeniably visible before it was definitively overcome. It brings spiritual darkness into the open, allowing light to prevail.

Mark 9 20 Commentary

Mark 9:20 offers a potent snapshot of the war between God's kingdom and the realm of darkness. The demon's instantaneous and violent reaction to Jesus's presence is not accidental; it is a profound recognition of Jesus's identity as the Son of God, before whom evil spirits cannot stand. The dramatic symptoms – convulsions, falling, rolling, and foaming – underscore the raw, destructive power of the demon and the profound torment it inflicted upon the boy. This public spectacle also highlights the demon's desperate, albeit futile, attempt to intimidate or challenge Jesus. However, it inadvertently serves to further glorify Jesus by showcasing the depth of suffering from which only He can deliver. The scene emphasizes that Christ's coming marked a direct assault on the kingdom of Satan, demonstrating His unparalleled authority and capacity to defeat evil in all its forms, whether physical manifestation or spiritual oppression.