Mark 9:20

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.

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}.

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

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.

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.

Context

Mark 9:20 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jesus' ministry, immediately following the Transfiguration of Jesus. Upon descending from the mountain, Jesus and the three disciples find a crowd gathered around the remaining disciples, who are struggling to cast out a demon from a young boy. The father had brought his son to the disciples first, but they were unable to help him (Mark 9:18). This verse captures the dramatic instant the boy is brought into Jesus' direct presence, showcasing the immediate and violent reaction of the unclean spirit.

Key Themes

  • The Reality and Ferocity of Demonic Oppression: The vivid description—"straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming"—underscores the brutal and destructive nature of spiritual oppression. It illustrates the physical torment and dehumanizing effects of demonic influence.
  • The Spirit's Recognition of Jesus' Authority: The immediate, violent convulsion of the boy upon seeing Jesus suggests that the unclean spirit recognized Jesus' divine authority. This reaction was not random but a desperate, final display of power before confronting the ultimate power of God.
  • Spiritual Warfare: This passage vividly portrays the active spiritual conflict at play. It reminds readers that unseen forces of evil exist and can have tangible, devastating effects on individuals, reinforcing the need for divine intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "tare him" comes from the Greek word syneraxen (συνήραξεν), which means to "throw together," "convulse," or "tear violently." This term emphasizes the severe, convulsive seizure the spirit caused, highlighting its destructive power over the boy's body. The immediate nature of the reaction—"straightway"—underscores the spirit's instant and involuntary response to Jesus' presence, revealing Jesus' inherent power over evil.

Practical Application

Mark 9:20 serves as a powerful reminder of the reality of spiritual struggles, both seen and unseen. For believers, it highlights:

  • The Need for Divine Power: When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, especially those with spiritual roots, human effort alone often falls short. This verse directs us to bring our deepest struggles, and those of others, directly to Jesus, who alone possesses ultimate authority over all forces of darkness.
  • Jesus' Unwavering Authority: Despite the dramatic display of demonic power, the narrative ultimately points to Jesus' supreme power to deliver. It encourages us to have confidence in His ability to overcome any spiritual opposition.
  • The Importance of Faith and Prayer: While this verse focuses on the spirit's reaction, the subsequent dialogue in Mark 9 emphasizes the role of faith and prayer in confronting spiritual strongholds. Jesus later explains that certain kinds of spirits "can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting" (Mark 9:29), urging believers to cultivate a deeper reliance on God's power through spiritual disciplines.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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