King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground -- he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes stiff all over. I asked your talmidim to drive the spirit out, but they couldn't do it."
Berean Standard Bible:
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 it out, but they were unable.”
American Standard Version:
and wheresoever it taketh him, it dasheth him down: and he foameth, and grindeth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} wheresoever{G3699}{G302} he taketh{G2638} him{G846}, he teareth{G4486} him{G846}: and{G2532} he foameth{G875}, and{G2532} gnasheth{G5149} with his{G846} teeth{G3599}, and{G2532} pineth away{G3583}: and{G2532} I spake{G2036} to thy{G4675} disciples{G3101} that{G2443} they should cast{G1544} him{G846} out{G1544}; and{G2532} they could{G2480} not{G3756}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 17:19
- Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Matthew 17:20
- And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mark 11:23
- For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mark 9:28
- And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
Mark 9:29
- And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Matthew 17:16
- And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Luke 9:39
- And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Mark 9:18
Mark 9:18 is part of a narrative where Jesus encounters a man who has a son possessed by an evil spirit. The verse describes the severity of the boy's condition: the spirit convulses the boy, causing him to fall into fire and water, foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and become rigid, indicative of a severe and dramatic form of illness or affliction, likely understood by the observers as a form of epilepsy or a similar neurological condition in the historical context.
The father's plea to Jesus reveals that he had previously approached Jesus' disciples for help, but they were unable to exorcise the spirit. This detail highlights a theme of powerlessness and inadequacy on the part of Jesus' followers, contrasting with Jesus' own authority and effectiveness in dealing with the spiritual forces at play. The verse reflects the ancient belief in the existence and influence of evil spirits, as well as the expectation that those with spiritual authority could cast them out.
In the broader context of the Gospel of Mark, this passage serves to illustrate the sharp distinction between the spiritual potency of Jesus and the limitations of his disciples at this stage in their ministry. It also sets the scene for Jesus' demonstration of his divine power and compassion, as he successfully heals the boy, thereby affirming his messianic authority and fulfilling his role as a healer and exorcist, which was an anticipated aspect of the Messiah's work in Jewish eschatological hopes. The incident underscores themes of faith, the nature of spiritual power, and the gradual revelation of Jesus' identity to his disciples and the surrounding community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G3699
There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅπου
Transliteration: hópou
Pronunciation: hop'-oo
Description: from ὅς and πού; what(-ever) where, i.e. at whichever spot:--in what place, where(-as, -soever), whither (+ soever). - Strong's Number: G302
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄν
Transliteration: án
Pronunciation: an
Description: a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν. - Strong's Number: G2638
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καταλαμβάνω
Transliteration: katalambánō
Pronunciation: kat-al-am-ban'-o
Description: from κατά and λαμβάνω; to take eagerly, i.e. seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively):--apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive, (over-)take. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G4486
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ῥήγνυμι
Transliteration: rhḗgnymi
Pronunciation: hrace'-so
Description: both prolonged forms of (which appears only in certain forms, and is itself probably a strengthened form of agnumi (see in κατάγνυμι)); to "break," "wreck" or "crack", i.e. (especially) to sunder (by separation of the parts; κατάγνυμι being its intensive (with the preposition in composition), and θραύω a shattering to minute fragments; but not a reduction to the constituent particles, like λύω) or disrupt, lacerate; by implication, to convulse (with spasms); figuratively, to give vent to joyful emotions:--break (forth), burst, rend, tear. - Strong's Number: G875
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀφρίζω
Transliteration: aphrízō
Pronunciation: af-rid'-zo
Description: from ἀφρός; to froth at the mouth (in epilepsy):--foam. - Strong's Number: G5149
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τρίζω
Transliteration: trízō
Pronunciation: trid'-zo
Description: apparently a primary verb; to creak (squeak), i.e. (by analogy) to grate the teeth (in frenzy):--gnash. - Strong's Number: G3599
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὀδούς
Transliteration: odoús
Pronunciation: od-ooce
Description: perhaps from the base of ἐσθίω; a "tooth":--tooth. - Strong's Number: G3583
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ξηραίνω
Transliteration: xēraínō
Pronunciation: xay-rah'-ee-no
Description: from ξηρός; to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature:--dry up, pine away, be ripe, wither (away). - Strong's Number: G2036
There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔπω
Transliteration: épō
Pronunciation: ep'-o
Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω. - Strong's Number: G4675
There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σοῦ
Transliteration: soû
Pronunciation: soo
Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy. - Strong's Number: G3101
There are 252 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μαθητής
Transliteration: mathētḗs
Pronunciation: math-ay-tes'
Description: from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple. - Strong's Number: G2443
There are 535 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἵνα
Transliteration: hína
Pronunciation: hin'-ah
Description: probably from the same as the former part of ἑαυτοῦ (through the demonstrative idea; compare ὁ); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):--albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare ἵνα μή. - Strong's Number: G1544
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκβάλλω
Transliteration: ekbállō
Pronunciation: ek-bal'-lo
Description: from ἐκ and βάλλω; to eject (literally or figuratively):--bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out). - Strong's Number: G2480
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἰσχύω
Transliteration: ischýō
Pronunciation: is-khoo'-o
Description: from ἰσχύς; to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively):--be able, avail, can do(-not), could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole, + much work. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.