Mark 9:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:18 vividly portrays the severe torment of a demon-possessed boy, detailing his violent seizures, foaming at the mouth, teeth-gnashing, and physical wasting. This distressing scene is heightened by the father's revelation that Jesus' disciples, despite their previous commission, were utterly unable to cast out the malevolent spirit, setting the stage for Jesus' powerful intervention and subsequent teaching on the nature of faith and prayer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the glorious event of [Jesus' Transfiguration](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark 9:2-8 - The Transfiguration"), where He was revealed in divine splendor to Peter, James, and John. The descent from the mountain of glory into the valley of human suffering and spiritual oppression creates a stark and powerful contrast. While Jesus was on the mountaintop, the other disciples were confronted with a desperate father and his afflicted son, highlighting the ongoing battle against evil in the world even as God's glory is revealed. This narrative also serves as a crucial moment in the disciples' spiritual formation, exposing their current limitations and preparing them for Jesus' subsequent instruction on the power of faith and prayer, particularly in [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Jesus on Prayer and Fasting"). It recalls their earlier commission in [Mark 6:7](/mark/6-7 "Mark 6:7 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve"), where they were given authority over unclean spirits, making their current failure particularly poignant.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, many physical and mental illnesses were commonly attributed to demonic influence. While modern medicine offers different explanations for conditions like epilepsy, the biblical worldview consistently affirms the reality of spiritual forces at work in the world, both good and evil. People in Jesus' time understood demon possession as a profound and terrifying affliction, often resulting in physical debilitation, social ostracization, and extreme suffering. Exorcism was practiced by various Jewish groups, though often with limited success. The expectation of the Messiah included the belief that He would demonstrate unparalleled power over all forms of evil, including demonic oppression. This cultural backdrop underscores the gravity of the boy's condition and the profound significance of the disciples' failure, as it challenged the common understanding of spiritual authority and the power available to those associated with a divine healer.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **reality and destructive nature of spiritual warfare**, showing how demonic forces actively torment and debilitate individuals. The vivid description of the boy's symptoms underscores the malevolent intent and physical consequences of such oppression. Secondly, the verse highlights the **limitations of human effort and spiritual authority apart from absolute dependence on Christ**. Despite their prior commissioning and experience, the disciples' inability to cast out this particular demon reveals a crucial spiritual deficiency, setting up Jesus' teaching on the necessity of a deeper, more profound faith and prayer life, as seen in [Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible to Him Who Believes") and [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Jesus on Prayer and Fasting"). Finally, this passage serves to **contrast the disciples' faltering power with Jesus' supreme and unchallengeable authority** over all evil, reinforcing His unique identity as the Son of God who has come to [destroy the works of the devil](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Purpose of the Son of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **teareth (Greek, _rhḗgnymi'_):** This verb signifies to "break," "wreck," "crack," or "sunder." In this context, it vividly conveys a violent, convulsive action, emphasizing the demon's brutal and disruptive control over the boy, causing him to be violently thrown down or torn apart by seizures.
* **pineth away (Greek, _xēraínō'_):** Literally meaning "to dry up" or "to wither," this word suggests a progressive wasting away of the boy's strength, vitality, and health. It indicates the chronic and debilitating nature of the affliction, leaving the boy weak and emaciated over time.
* **could not (Greek, _ischýō'_ with _ou'_):** The verb _ischýō_ means "to have or exercise force," "to be able," or "to prevail." When combined with the absolute negative particle _ou_, "not," it emphatically states the disciples' complete inability or lack of power to cast out the demon. This highlights a significant spiritual impotence in this specific situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him:"** This clause describes the demon's relentless and pervasive control over the boy. The demon "takes" or "seizes" him (G2638, _katalambánō_), indicating a sudden, forceful grip, and then violently "tears" him, causing severe convulsions and throwing him to the ground, often into dangerous places like fire or water, as mentioned in the preceding verses.
* **"and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away:"** These are the distressing physical symptoms of the demonic oppression. "Foaming" (G875, _aphrízō_) is a classic sign of epileptic seizures, while "gnashing with his teeth" (G5149, _trízō_ with G3599, _odoús_) indicates extreme distress, pain, or violent spasms. The phrase "pineth away" (G3583, _xēraínō_) suggests a long-term, debilitating effect, indicating a gradual physical deterioration due to the chronic nature of the affliction.
* **"and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out;"** The father, in desperation, had approached Jesus' disciples in His absence, seeking their help. This shows an initial faith in the authority that Jesus had delegated to them, as they had previously been successful in exorcisms (cf. [Mark 6:13](/mark/6-13 "Mark 6:13 - Disciples Cast Out Many Demons")).
* **"and they could not."** This is the climactic and most significant part of the verse. It reveals the disciples' profound failure and spiritual impotence in this specific instance. Despite their prior successes and delegated authority, they were utterly unable to deliver the boy, setting the stage for Jesus' direct intervention and His subsequent teaching on the conditions for effective spiritual power.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:18 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. **Vivid Imagery** is prominently used to paint a disturbing picture of the boy's suffering. Words like "teareth," "foameth," and "gnasheth with his teeth" create a visceral sense of the demon's violent control and the boy's agony, making the affliction tangible to the reader. This detailed description not only evokes empathy but also underscores the severity of the spiritual battle. **Contrast** is another key device, as the disciples' impotence in this verse stands in stark opposition to Jesus' immediate and effortless authority over the demon in the subsequent verses. This highlights the unique and supreme power of Christ. Furthermore, the narrative uses **Foreshadowing** by presenting the disciples' failure, which then prompts Jesus' crucial teaching on the necessity of faith and prayer in [Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible to Him Who Believes") and [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Jesus on Prayer and Fasting"), indicating that their spiritual journey still required significant growth and deeper reliance on God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:18 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of spiritual warfare and the source of true authority. It underscores that while God's servants are given authority, its exercise is not automatic or self-generated. The disciples' failure reveals that spiritual power is not merely a delegated ability but flows from a dynamic, dependent relationship with God, characterized by faith and prayer. This incident highlights the reality that some spiritual battles require a deeper level of spiritual engagement and reliance on divine power than others, challenging any notion of human self-sufficiency in ministry. It also reinforces the absolute sovereignty of Christ over all evil, demonstrating that ultimately, only He possesses inherent and unchallengeable authority to overcome the darkest forces.

* [Matthew 17:19-21](/matthew/17-19-21 "Matthew 17:19-21 - Jesus Explains the Disciples' Failure")
* [Luke 9:42](/luke/9-42 "Luke 9:42 - Jesus Rebukes the Unclean Spirit")
* [Acts 19:13-16](/acts/19-13-16 "Acts 19:13-16 - The Sons of Sceva Fail to Cast Out a Demon")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:18 offers profound lessons for believers today, particularly concerning spiritual authority and our reliance on God. The disciples' inability to cast out the demon serves as a humbling reminder that our effectiveness in ministry, especially in confronting spiritual strongholds, is not rooted in our own strength, past successes, or even delegated authority alone, but in our ongoing, fervent dependence on God's power. This passage calls us to a deeper spiritual discipline, emphasizing that overcoming formidable spiritual obstacles often requires a level of faith and prayer that transcends mere casual engagement. It prompts us to examine our own spiritual lives: are we truly relying on Christ's power, or are we operating in our own strength? Do we approach spiritual battles with humility, recognizing our limitations, and with fervent prayer, seeking God's intervention? This narrative encourages us to cultivate a robust and intimate relationship with God, understanding that true spiritual victory is always His work through us, not ours.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you find yourself relying more on your own abilities or past successes than on God's power?**
* **How does the disciples' failure in this passage challenge your understanding of spiritual authority and effectiveness?**
* **What specific spiritual disciplines (like prayer and fasting) might God be calling you to deepen in order to face the spiritual challenges in your life or community?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater sense of humility and dependence on Christ in your daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why couldn't the disciples cast out this particular demon, given that they had done so before?**

Answer: The text itself and Jesus' subsequent explanation in [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Jesus on Prayer and Fasting") (and [Matthew 17:20-21](/matthew/17-20-21 "Matthew 17:20-21 - Jesus on Faith and Prayer")) suggest that this was a particularly stubborn or powerful demonic entity that required a deeper level of faith and prayer. It wasn't a matter of their authority being revoked, but rather their current spiritual state or lack of sustained, fervent prayer and faith that hindered their ability to exercise that authority effectively in this specific, challenging case. It served as a lesson for their growth, highlighting that spiritual power is not a static gift but dynamically linked to a living, dependent relationship with God.

**Does this passage imply that all illnesses are caused by demons?**

Answer: No, the Bible clearly distinguishes between physical illness, natural causes, and demonic oppression. While this boy's condition was explicitly identified as demonic, the Gospels also record Jesus healing many people who were sick but not described as demon-possessed (e.g., [Mark 1:32-34](/mark/1-32-34 "Mark 1:32-34 - Jesus Heals Many")). This passage specifically addresses a case of demonic affliction, not a general statement about the cause of all sickness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:18, with its stark depiction of human inability in the face of overwhelming evil, powerfully sets the stage for the revelation of Christ as the ultimate and unrivaled Deliverer. The disciples' failure underscores that true victory over spiritual darkness does not come from human effort or even delegated authority alone, but from the inherent, divine power of Jesus. He is the one who, unlike His disciples, needs no special preparation or additional faith to confront and conquer the forces of evil. His very presence brings light into darkness, and His word commands absolute obedience from every spiritual foe, as demonstrated in [Mark 9:25](/mark/9-25 "Mark 9:25 - Jesus Rebukes the Spirit"). This passage foreshadows His ultimate triumph over sin, death, and the devil on the cross, where He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities (cf. [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). He is the strong man who enters the house of the strong man (cf. [Mark 3:27](/mark/3-27 "Mark 3:27 - Jesus on Binding the Strong Man")) and plunders his goods, bringing liberation to those held captive. Ultimately, the boy's deliverance points to the greater spiritual freedom that Christ offers to all who are bound by sin and spiritual oppression, fulfilling His mission to [destroy the works of the devil](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Son of God Appeared to Destroy the Works of the Devil") and to [set the captives free](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission to Proclaim Liberty").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.