Mar 9:14-29 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 9:14-29: 9:14-29 This is the fourth and last exorcism in Mark (1:21-28 ; 5:1-20 ; 7:24-30 ). The disciples were unable to perform the exorcism, so Jesus performed it, emphasizing the necessity of faith (cp. 2:5 ; 5:34 ; 10:52 ). This is another example of Jesus’ great healing ability and of the disciples’ failure (8:32-33 ; 9:5-7 ). 9:14 Jesus and the three disciples (Peter, James, and John) rejoined the other disciples, the crowd, and the teachers of the law. This account is similar to the story of Moses descending from Mount Sinai to rejoin the people of Israel (Exod 34:29-35 ).

Summary for Mark 9:14-29: 9:14-29 ^a This is the fourth and last exorcism in Mark (1:21-28 ^b; 5:1-20 ^c; 7:24-30 ^d). The disciples were unable to perform the exorcism, so Jesus performed it, emphasizing the necessity of faith (cp. 2:5 ^e; 5:34 ^f; 10:52 ^g). This is another example of Jesus’ great healing ability and of the disciples’ failure (8:32-33 ^h; 9:5-7 ⁱ). 9:14 ^j Jesus and the three disciples (Peter, James, and John) rejoined the other disciples, the crowd, and the teachers of the law. This account is similar to the story of Moses descending from Mount Sinai to rejoin the people of Israel (Exod 34:29-35 ^k).
9:15 ^l Some have suggested that just as Moses reflected God’s glory when he descended from the mountain, Jesus’ glorious transfiguration was still evident, so the crowds responded with awe. It is equally possible that Jesus’ arrival after being absent was enough to elicit the awe of the crowd.
9:18 ^m These symptoms are often associated with epilepsy (see Matt 17:15 ⁿ), but Mark emphasizes the demonic origin of the child’s problem (Mark 9:17-18 ^o, 25-26 ^p, 28 ^q). The disciples’ inability to heal the child magnifies the effect of Jesus’ power (9:25-26 ^r).
9:19 ^s Jesus said to them: Jesus might have been speaking to the disciples, the father (9:22-24 ^t), the crowd, or all present.

• How long? Their lack of faith was obstinate and hard-hearted (cp. 3:5 ^u; 6:52 ^v; 8:17 ^w; 10:5 ^x).
9:20 ^y The demon’s reaction was nonverbal (contrast 1:24 ^z; 5:7 ^aa, 9-10 ^ab; see also 1:34 ^ac; 3:11-12 ^ad) but violent, as the father had described (9:18 ^ae).
Summary for Mark 9:21-22: 9:21-22 ^af The demon’s activity had been taking place since he was a little boy, and the demon had tried to kill the child in various ways.

• if you can: The father’s request indicates that his faith had been severely dampened (9:18 ^ag).
9:23 ^ah Jesus challenged the man to believe in the power of God—Anything is possible if a person believes (see 11:22-24 ^ai), while lack of faith can hinder God’s saving activity (see 6:5 ^aj).
9:24 ^ak In desperation, the father cried out that he believed, though weakly.
9:25 ^al The crowd was approaching, so Jesus quickly proceeded with the exorcism.

• The I in the command to the demon is emphatic, dramatizing Jesus’ authority and power.

• never enter him again! At times exorcisms could be temporary (see Matt 12:43-45 ^am; Luke 11:24-26 ^an).
Summary for Mark 9:26-27: 9:26-27 ^ao The demon’s violent reaction revealed its strength and showed Jesus’ greatness (cp. 1:25-26 ^ap; 5:15 ^aq).
Summary for Mark 9:28-29: 9:28-29 ^ar The account ends, surprisingly, by stressing the importance of prayer rather than of faith (cp. 11:22-24 ^as).