Chapter
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Mark 9:22

ESV And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
NIV It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.'
NASB It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!'
CSB "And many times it has thrown him into fire or water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us."
NLT The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.'
KJV And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

What does Mark 9:22 mean?

The fact that the boy's seizures often throw him into water or fire give evidence that they are caused by a demon and not an illness. Epileptic seizures do not have intent to harm; they're caused by abnormal brain activity. Epilepsy, itself, is often caused by head trauma, stroke, infections, or tumors. Although seizures can be dangerous, there is no conscious will that directs them to occur in intentionally dangerous situations. Demons, on the other hand, delight in harming God's creation.

The father's reticence in trusting Jesus is understandable. He has just spent time with nine of Jesus' closest students who could do nothing for his son. While they vainly struggle to heal the boy, Jewish scribes apparently argue that they do not have the power or authority to do so (Mark 9:14). In fact, it was scribes from Jerusalem who declared Jesus' power came from Satan (Mark 3:22).

Many people become disillusioned with the church or Christianity because of what they see in other people. Sometimes professing Christians act like fearful, powerless hypocrites, or non-Christians barrage beliefs they don't understand with critical editorials. Those who reject Christ cannot be experts on Him. And those who follow Christ are growing more like Him; we are not perfect representatives. To know what Christianity is all about, we need to look to Jesus. Our faith should be in God, not others (Mark 9:23).
Expand
Expand
Expand
What is the Gospel?
Download the app: