Mark 9:18

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.

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}.

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."

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.”

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

Mark 9:18 describes the distressing symptoms of a demon-possessed boy brought to Jesus by his father, highlighting the disciples' inability to cast out the evil spirit. This verse sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent powerful intervention and teaching on faith and prayer.

Context

This verse is part of a pivotal narrative in Mark's Gospel, occurring immediately after the Transfiguration of Jesus. While Jesus was on the mountain with Peter, James, and John, the other disciples were confronted with a desperate father whose son suffered from a severe demonic affliction. The father recounts the boy's torments: the demon causes violent seizures, throwing him into fire and water, leaving him "tearing" and "foaming." The father’s plea to the disciples was met with failure, emphasizing their spiritual limitations at this point.

Key Themes

  • The Severity of Demonic Oppression: The vivid description of the boy's suffering—"teareth him," "foameth," "gnasheth with his teeth," and "pineth away"—underscores the destructive and debilitating nature of spiritual bondage. This is not mere illness but a malevolent force actively tormenting the individual.
  • The Disciples' Limitations: The father's statement, "I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not," reveals a significant moment of failure for the disciples. Despite having been given authority to cast out demons earlier (Mark 6:7), their inability here points to a deeper spiritual issue, which Jesus addresses in the following verses (Mark 9:29).
  • Contrast with Jesus' Authority: The disciples' failure starkly contrasts with Jesus' immediate and complete authority over evil spirits, which is soon demonstrated. This highlights that true spiritual power resides ultimately in Christ, not in human ability alone.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "teareth him" is rhēssei (ῥήσσει), which means to dash, break, or shatter. This conveys a violent, convulsive action, emphasizing the demon's brutal control over the boy. The phrase "pineth away" comes from xērainetai (ξηραίνεται), literally "to dry up" or "to wither," suggesting a progressive wasting away of the boy's strength and vitality due to the chronic nature of the affliction.

Practical Application

Mark 9:18 serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for divine power in confronting it. For believers today, this verse underscores:

  • Reliance on God's Power: Our effectiveness in ministry, especially in challenging spiritual situations, depends not on our own strength or experience but on our connection to God's power through Christ.
  • The Importance of Faith and Prayer: The disciples' failure prompted Jesus to teach about the kind of faith and prayer necessary for overcoming such formidable spiritual obstacles (Mark 9:23, Mark 9:29). It encourages us to deepen our spiritual disciplines.
  • Humility in Ministry: The disciples' inability can be a humbling lesson, reminding us that even those with spiritual gifts can face limitations, prompting a greater dependence on the Holy Spirit.

This passage encourages us to approach spiritual battles with humility, fervent prayer, and unwavering faith in the supreme authority of Jesus Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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