Mark 9:20

KJV

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they brought {G5342} him {G846} unto {G4314} him {G846}: and {G2532} when he saw {G1492} him {G846}, straightway {G2112} the spirit {G4151} tare {G4682} him {G846}; and {G2532} he fell {G4098} on {G1909} the ground {G1093}, and wallowed {G2947} foaming {G875}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They brought the boy to him; and as soon as the spirit saw him, it threw the boy into a convulsion.

Berean Standard Bible

So they brought him, and seeing Jesus, the spirit immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

American Standard Version

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:20 vividly portrays the immediate and violent reaction of an unclean spirit to the presence of Jesus. As the demon-possessed boy is brought before Jesus, the spirit within him immediately convulses the boy, causing him to fall to the ground, thrashing and foaming at the mouth. This dramatic incident underscores the profound authority of Jesus over demonic forces, revealing the spirit's recognition of His divine power and its desperate, final display of torment before its inevitable expulsion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the transformative event of [the Transfiguration](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark 9:2-8 - The Transfiguration of Jesus"), where Jesus' divine glory was revealed to Peter, James, and John. Upon descending from the mountain, Jesus and these three disciples rejoin the other disciples, who are found amidst a large crowd, engaged in a heated dispute with scribes. The source of the commotion is a desperate father who has brought his demon-possessed son to the disciples, only for them to prove utterly incapable of casting out the spirit ([Mark 9:18](/mark/9-18 "Mark 9:18 - Disciples' Inability to Cast Out a Demon")). Mark 9:20 marks the precise moment the boy is brought into Jesus' direct presence, setting the stage for Jesus' powerful intervention and subsequent teaching on faith and prayer.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, illnesses and afflictions were often attributed to spiritual causes, including demonic possession. While some conditions might be recognized as natural diseases, the symptoms described for this boy—convulsions, foaming, inability to speak ([Mark 9:17](/mark/9-17 "Mark 9:17 - The Boy's Affliction"))—were commonly associated with demonic influence. Exorcism was practiced by various Jewish groups, but often with limited success or through elaborate rituals. The immediate and violent reaction of the spirit to Jesus' mere presence, without any incantation or ritual, would have been a profound demonstration of His unique and inherent authority, distinguishing Him from other healers or exorcists of the time.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:20 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' supreme authority over evil spirits**, a recurring motif throughout Mark, from the very beginning of His ministry ([Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits")). Secondly, it underscores the **reality and destructive nature of spiritual warfare**, portraying the tangible suffering inflicted by demonic forces. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **discipleship and the limitations of human effort**, as the disciples' failure to cast out the demon sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on the necessity of faith and prayer for overcoming such spiritual strongholds ([Mark 9:28-29](/mark/9-28-29 "Mark 9:28-29 - Jesus on Faith and Prayer")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **straightway (Greek, _euthéōs'_):** This adverb, frequently used by Mark, signifies immediacy and directness. Here, it emphasizes the instant and involuntary reaction of the unclean spirit upon the boy being brought into Jesus' presence. It suggests a recognition of Jesus' inherent power, compelling the spirit to manifest its destructive influence without delay or prompting.
* **tare (Greek, _sparássō'_):** This verb means "to mangle" or "to convulse with epilepsy." It vividly describes the violent, spasmodic seizure inflicted upon the boy by the demon. The term conveys the brutal and destructive power of the spirit, highlighting the physical torment and dehumanizing effects of demonic oppression.
* **foaming (Greek, _aphrízō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "froth," this verb describes the act of frothing at the mouth, a common symptom associated with severe epileptic seizures or demonic convulsions in ancient contexts. It adds a gruesome detail to the boy's suffering, emphasizing the intensity of the demonic attack and the complete loss of control over his own body.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they brought him unto him:"** This clause sets the scene, indicating the boy's arrival before Jesus. The "they" refers to the father and possibly others who accompanied the boy, having sought help from the disciples and now bringing him directly to Jesus. The simple act of bringing the boy into Jesus' proximity is enough to trigger the dramatic events that follow.
* **"and when he saw him,"** This refers to Jesus seeing the boy. It's not Jesus' act of seeing that causes the reaction, but rather the spirit's immediate and involuntary response to being in the presence of Jesus, whom it recognizes as the Son of God and its ultimate vanquisher. The spirit's reaction is a testament to Jesus' inherent divine authority.
* **"straightway the spirit tare him;"** This is the core action of the verse, highlighting the immediate and violent manifestation of the demon's power. The adverb "straightway" (euthéōs) underscores the instantaneous nature of the spirit's convulsion, demonstrating its acute awareness and fear of Jesus. The tearing (sparássō) signifies a violent, convulsive seizure, indicative of the spirit's desperate struggle.
* **"and he fell on the ground,"** The physical consequence of the spirit's violent action. The boy's body is thrown to the ground, completely under the control of the demon, illustrating the profound physical torment and helplessness inflicted by the oppressive spirit.
* **"and wallowed foaming."** This final phrase provides further vivid detail of the boy's suffering. "Wallowed" (kylióō) suggests a rolling or thrashing motion on the ground, while "foaming" (aphrízō) describes the frothing at the mouth. These details paint a disturbing picture of the boy's agony, emphasizing the severity of the demonic possession and its devastating physical manifestations.

#### Literary Devices
Mark employs several literary devices to heighten the drama and theological impact of this scene. **Vivid Imagery** and **Sensory Language** are prominent, with descriptions like "tare him," "fell on the ground," and "wallowed foaming" creating a disturbing and unforgettable picture of the boy's suffering. This detailed portrayal emphasizes the brutal reality of demonic oppression. The immediate reaction of the spirit, signaled by **Hyperbole** in "straightway," underscores the overwhelming power of Jesus' presence, which is so potent that even the mere proximity of the Son of God causes the demon to manifest violently. This also serves as a form of **Dramatic Irony**, as the disciples had failed to cast out the spirit, yet the spirit itself immediately recognizes and reacts to Jesus, implicitly affirming His superior authority.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:20 profoundly underscores the absolute and inherent authority of Jesus Christ over all spiritual forces of evil. The immediate and violent reaction of the demon-possessed boy upon being brought into Jesus' presence is not random but a desperate, involuntary acknowledgment of divine power. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the tangible, destructive effects of demonic oppression on human lives. It contrasts sharply with the disciples' prior inability to cast out the spirit, highlighting that true deliverance comes not from human effort or ritual, but from the unique, inherent power of the Son of God. The scene sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent teaching, emphasizing that certain spiritual battles require a profound reliance on God through prayer and faith.

* [Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits")
* [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:20 is a powerful and unsettling reminder that evil is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible, destructive force that seeks to torment and dehumanize. The boy's immediate and violent reaction to Jesus' presence serves as a profound testament to Christ's sovereign authority over all spiritual darkness. For us today, this passage calls us to bring our most desperate struggles, and those of others, directly to Jesus. When we face situations that seem insurmountable, whether personal addictions, spiritual oppression, or societal evils, this verse encourages us to remember that human efforts alone are often insufficient. It directs our gaze to the One who commands even the most ferocious spiritual adversaries with a mere presence. It cultivates in us a deep confidence in Jesus' unwavering power to deliver, to heal, and to restore, urging us to rely not on our strength, but on His ultimate dominion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or the lives of those around me do I see evidence of spiritual struggle or oppression, and how might I bring these directly to Jesus?**
* **How does the immediate and violent reaction of the demon in this passage deepen my understanding of Jesus' unique authority and power?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the importance of relying on divine power rather than solely on human effort when facing overwhelming challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why did the spirit react so violently to Jesus' presence?**

Answer: The spirit reacted violently because it recognized Jesus' divine authority and power. Unclean spirits, though evil, are keenly aware of spiritual realities and immediately perceive the presence of the Son of God. Their violent manifestation is often a desperate, involuntary display of defiance and a last-ditch effort to maintain control before being cast out by a superior power. It's a testament to Jesus' inherent dominion over all forces of darkness, even before He speaks a word of command.

**What does "tare him" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "tare him" (from the Greek _sparássō_) describes a violent, convulsive seizure, similar to what might be seen in severe epilepsy. It means to mangle, convulse, or tear violently. In this context, it highlights the brutal physical torment inflicted upon the boy by the demon, demonstrating the spirit's destructive power and its attempt to cause maximum suffering upon encountering Jesus.

**How does this event relate to the disciples' inability to cast out the demon earlier?**

Answer: This event starkly contrasts with the disciples' prior failure to cast out the demon, as mentioned in [Mark 9:18](/mark/9-18 "Mark 9:18 - Disciples' Inability to Heal"). Their inability underscores the limitations of human effort and the necessity of divine power, particularly when confronting certain types of spiritual strongholds. The demon's immediate and violent reaction to Jesus' mere presence, followed by its eventual expulsion by Him, powerfully demonstrates that Jesus possesses a unique and inherent authority that His disciples, at this stage, did not fully grasp or wield. Jesus later explains that "this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" ([Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Jesus on Prayer and Fasting")), indicating a deeper spiritual reliance required for such battles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:20 is a profound demonstration of Jesus' ultimate victory over the powers of darkness, foreshadowing His complete triumph on the cross. The demon's immediate and violent convulsion upon encountering Jesus is a premonition of the spiritual warfare that culminates in Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. On the cross, Jesus disarmed "principalities and powers" and made "a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). This scene in Mark reveals that the Son of God, who would later offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice, possesses inherent authority that even the forces of hell cannot withstand. His presence alone causes the demon to react, signifying that He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and the mighty Deliverer who has come to destroy the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has secured lasting freedom for all who believe, empowering His followers to overcome evil by the power of His Spirit, fulfilling the promise that "greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" ([1 John 4:4](/1_john/4-4 "1 John 4:4 - Greater is He That is In You")).

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

Mark 1:26

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

Luke 4:35

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

Mark 9:26

And [the spirit] cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

Job 2:6

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life.

Job 2:8

And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

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.

Job 1:10

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.