Mark 9 29

Mark 9:29 kjv

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Mark 9:29 nkjv

So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting."

Mark 9:29 niv

He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

Mark 9:29 esv

And he said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer."

Mark 9:29 nlt

Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer. "

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 29 Meaning

This verse is Jesus' direct response to His disciples' inability to cast out a particularly stubborn demon. He explains that "this kind" of evil spirit—referring to a category of especially resistant or deeply entrenched demonic influence—cannot be driven out by mere authority or human effort. Instead, its expulsion requires a unique spiritual empowerment, cultivated through sincere, devoted prayer and the discipline of fasting. It emphasizes the profound spiritual nature of true deliverance and the necessity of intimate dependence on God for victory in certain spiritual battles.

Mark 9 29 Context

Mark 9:29 concludes a significant episode where Jesus' disciples attempted and failed to heal a boy suffering from a mute, convulsing spirit. Jesus had descended from the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-8), where His divine glory was revealed, to find the disciples embarrassed by their inability to help the desperate father (Mark 9:14-18). A great crowd had gathered, witnessing the disciples' powerlessness and the spirit's violent control over the boy. When Jesus arrived, He immediately took control, rebuking the spirit with authority, which instantly departed (Mark 9:25-27). This powerful display of authority contrasts sharply with the disciples' failure. Privately, the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast it out (Mark 9:28). Jesus' answer in Mark 9:29 clarifies that their struggle was not due to a lack of delegated authority (as seen in Mark 6:7), but a deficit in spiritual preparation and dependence on God for such a specific, tenacious demonic entity. The cultural context includes common beliefs about demons and exorcism, which Jesus, while acknowledging their reality, transcends by revealing the true source of power for effective spiritual warfare.

Mark 9 29 Word analysis

• And he said unto them, (Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς - Kai eipen autois): This connects directly to the disciples' private question in the preceding verse (Mark 9:28), emphasizing that this teaching is a direct, authoritative instruction from Jesus specifically to them concerning their failure.
• This kind (Τοῦτο τὸ γένος - Touto to genos):
  • Τοῦτο (Touto) - "This" refers specifically to the type of evil spirit just encountered, characterized by its severe and persistent oppression of the boy.
  • γένος (genos) - "kind," "type," "class," or "genus." This Greek word suggests there are varying categories or levels of demonic entities, some being more formidable or resistant than others. It implies that spiritual warfare is not uniform, and different spiritual challenges may require differing depths of spiritual preparation.
• can come forth (δύναται ἐξελθεῖν - dynatai exelthein):
  • δύναται (dynatai) - "is able," "can," from δύναμις (dynamis), meaning power or ability. It speaks to the potentiality or capability of expulsion.
  • ἐξελθεῖν (exelthein) - "to come out," "to go forth." This is a standard verb used for the expulsion or departure of demons. The passive or middle voice construction emphasizes the action originating from outside the spirit itself, usually through the divine power of the exorcist.
• by nothing, but by (ἐν οὐδενὶ... εἰ μὴ ἐν - en oudeni... ei mē en): This is a strong Greek idiom conveying exclusivity and necessity: "in no way except by." It eliminates all other potential means or human efforts as sufficient on their own for dealing with this particular demonic opposition. It is not just better or more effective, but the only way.
• prayer (προσευχῇ - proseuchē):
  • The dative case (-ῇ) signifies the instrument or means by which the expulsion occurs.
  • προσευχῇ (proseuchē) denotes prayer in its fullest sense – devout, fervent, and humble communion with God, expressing dependence, seeking divine power and intervention. It’s not just a ritualistic utterance but an intimate engagement with the Creator, rooted in faith and trust in His power. Prayer aligns the individual with God's will and unleashes His power.
• and fasting. (καὶ νηστείᾳ - kai nēsteia):
  • καὶ (kai) - "and," linking prayer and fasting as complementary, essential spiritual disciplines.
  • νηστείᾳ (nēsteia) - "fasting," typically abstinence from food for spiritual purposes. It is a spiritual discipline that helps humble oneself before God, express repentance, intensify spiritual focus, and cultivate greater dependence on God rather than physical sustenance or strength. Fasting, especially when accompanied by prayer, helps subdue the flesh and heighten spiritual sensitivity, preparing one to wield divine authority more effectively in challenging spiritual battles. It's noteworthy that some early manuscripts of Mark (like Vaticanus and Sinaiticus) omit "and fasting" while other major manuscripts (like Alexandrinus) include it, suggesting textual variation. However, its presence in the parallel account in Matthew 17:21 and its common inclusion in the New Testament Greek tradition reinforce its theological significance.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "This kind can come forth by nothing": This phrase highlights the severity and tenacity of certain spiritual evils. It stresses the inadequacy of the disciples' previous methods, implying that delegated authority alone, without deeper spiritual empowerment, is insufficient for particularly strong demonic opposition. This also indirectly warns believers against underestimating the power and persistence of spiritual forces of evil.
• "but by prayer and fasting": This constitutes Jesus' prescribed solution, emphasizing the two indispensable spiritual disciplines for overcoming such obstacles. These are not merely ritualistic acts but profound expressions of humility, dependence, and dedication to God. Prayer directly appeals to God's omnipotence, while fasting often accompanies intensified prayer, signifying a spiritual earnestness that subjugates physical desires to spiritual purposes, creating greater sensitivity and receptivity to divine power. Together, they demonstrate a complete reliance on God and a commitment to His will, preparing the individual for spiritual warfare.

Mark 9 29 Bonus section

The teaching of Mark 9:29 points to a crucial aspect of discipleship: spiritual authority and power are not simply given; they are often nurtured and strengthened through personal spiritual disciplines. The disciples had the authority (Mark 6:7) but lacked the necessary power or empowerment for this particular challenge because their spiritual capacity had not been adequately developed through persistent dependence on God. This suggests that the "kind" of spirit refers less to its inherent demonic rank and more to its resistance level, which necessitates a higher level of spiritual commitment from the human instrument.

Furthermore, prayer and fasting are not mechanical formulas but are instrumental in developing deeper faith and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. They foster a posture of humility and submission to God's will, essential for operating effectively in spiritual warfare. When one fasts, they are actively denying their natural appetites to cultivate a hunger for God and His righteousness. When one prays, they are submitting their will and resources to God’s perfect plan. The combination empowers the individual through God to accomplish His work, rather than empowering a "formula" itself. This understanding prevents prayer and fasting from being seen as mere ritual and emphasizes them as integral to a life of active, dependent faith.

Mark 9 29 Commentary

Mark 9:29 is a profound teaching on the nature of spiritual warfare and the source of true spiritual power for those who minister in God's name. It comes in response to the disciples' humbling failure to cast out a persistent demon, even though they had previously been given authority over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7). This indicates that authority is not merely a decree, but something that must be actively lived out through spiritual discipline and dependence.

Jesus teaches that some "kinds" of spiritual strongholds are so deeply rooted or powerful that they resist standard means. To overcome them requires a heightened spiritual state in the individual minister, one fostered through consistent and fervent prayer, coupled with fasting. Prayer connects the individual directly to God's omnipotence, inviting His supernatural power into the situation. Fasting, a discipline of self-denial and spiritual humbling, prepares the individual's spirit, sharpening their sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and signifying deep earnestness in seeking God's intervention. It shifts focus from human capabilities or earthly reliance to complete dependence on divine power.

This verse challenges the notion that spiritual power is merely an automatic bestowal or a set of magical incantations. Instead, it underscores that effective ministry, especially in the most challenging spiritual confrontations, flows from a life of deep devotion, humility, and ongoing intimate communion with God. It calls believers to cultivate a lifestyle of spiritual discipline, recognizing that victory in certain spiritual battles requires a profound personal readiness and empowering by the Holy Spirit, channeled through a consecrated relationship with the Father.