Mark 9:21

KJV

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he asked {G1905} his {G846} father {G3962}, How long {G4214} is it {G2076} ago {G5550} since {G5613} this {G5124} came {G1096} unto him {G846}? And {G1161} he said {G2036}, Of a child {G3812}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to him?" "Ever since childhood," he said;

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been with him?” “From childhood,” he said.

American Standard Version

And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:21 presents a poignant exchange between Jesus and the desperate father of a demon-possessed boy, revealing the long-standing nature of the child's affliction. This verse serves as a crucial bridge in the narrative, highlighting Jesus' compassionate engagement with human suffering and His deliberate approach to understanding the depth of a person's need before enacting divine power. It underscores the profound impact of chronic suffering on individuals and families, setting the stage for a powerful demonstration of faith and deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the broader narrative of Jesus' transfiguration and the subsequent encounter with a demon-possessed boy. Immediately preceding Mark 9:21, Jesus has descended from the mountain of Transfiguration to find His disciples struggling to cast out a demon from a boy, leading to a public argument with the scribes ([Mark 9:14-18](/mark/9-14-18 "Mark 9:14-18 - Disciples' Failure and Jesus' Return")). The father's desperate plea for help, following the disciples' failure, sets a scene of profound human need contrasted with divine power. Jesus' question in Mark 9:21 is not merely an inquiry but a deliberate act of engagement, drawing out the full scope of the family's long-term suffering before performing the miracle, thus emphasizing the severity of the affliction and the ultimate power of God. The verses immediately following this interaction, particularly [Mark 9:22-24](/mark/9-22-24 "Mark 9:22-24 - The Father's Plea for Help and Jesus' Response"), detail the father's confession of struggling faith and Jesus' powerful response concerning the limitless possibilities for those who believe.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, illness and affliction, especially those involving seizures or mental distress, were often attributed to demonic possession or divine judgment. This belief system, while different from modern medical understanding, shaped how people perceived and responded to such conditions. Families of the afflicted often experienced significant social stigma and isolation, in addition to the immense emotional and physical toll. The father's public appeal to Jesus, after the failure of the disciples, indicates a deep-seated desperation and a willingness to transcend conventional expectations in pursuit of healing. The setting, likely in a village or town near Mount Hermon (Caesarea Philippi), would have been a public space where such interactions drew crowds, further amplifying the social and spiritual stakes of the encounter.

* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:21 contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Jesus' profound compassion and personal engagement** with human suffering. Unlike the disciples who failed, Jesus takes the time to inquire about the history of the affliction, demonstrating that His healing is not merely a display of power but an act rooted in empathy and understanding. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **the longevity and severity of suffering**, particularly chronic conditions. The father's answer, "Of a child," immediately conveys the immense burden carried by the family for many years, emphasizing the depth of the miracle Jesus is about to perform. This also implicitly contrasts with the disciples' inability, pointing to the **unique authority and power of Jesus** over all forms of evil, a theme central to [Mark's Gospel](/mark/1 "Mark 1 - The Beginning of the Gospel"). Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **faith and doubt**, as the father's subsequent confession of "I believe; help my unbelief!" ([Mark 9:24](/mark/9-24 "Mark 9:24 - The Father's Cry of Belief and Unbelief")) reveals the complex interplay between human weakness and divine intervention.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **asked (Greek, _eperōtáō'_):** Derived from *epi* (upon) and *erōtaō* (to ask), this verb signifies a direct, pointed inquiry, often with the intent to seek information or to interrogate. In this context, Jesus' "asking" is not casual but a deliberate engagement, designed to elicit the full story of the boy's affliction from the father, demonstrating a deep, personal interest in the suffering of the individual.
* **How long (Greek, _pósos'_):** This interrogative pronoun denotes a question of quantity, magnitude, or duration. Here, it specifically probes the length of time the boy has been afflicted. Jesus' use of "how long" emphasizes the chronic nature of the suffering, drawing attention to the persistent and enduring torment endured by the boy and his family, which makes the impending deliverance all the more significant.
* **Of a child (Greek, _paidióthen'_):** An adverb derived from *paidion* (a little child), this term precisely means "from infancy" or "from childhood." This single phrase powerfully conveys the long-standing and deeply rooted nature of the demonic possession, indicating that the affliction began in the boy's earliest years. It underscores the profound and prolonged suffering, not just of the boy, but of the entire family who had lived with this burden for most of the child's life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he asked his father,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Jesus' direct and personal engagement with the boy's father. Unlike the disciples who had struggled and failed, Jesus takes the initiative to communicate, demonstrating His compassionate and thorough approach to ministry. This direct address signifies His authority and willingness to involve Himself deeply in the family's plight.
* **"How long is it ago since this came unto him?"**: Jesus' question is precise and probing, focusing on the duration of the boy's suffering. The phrase "this came unto him" (referring to the demonic affliction) highlights the invasive and external nature of the torment. By asking "how long," Jesus seeks to understand the full history and depth of the family's burden, not out of ignorance, but to reveal the severity of the case and to underscore the magnitude of the miracle He is about to perform. It also serves to draw out the father's narrative, inviting him to share his long-held pain.
* **"And he said, Of a child."**: The father's terse yet profound response, "Of a child," immediately conveys the chronic and life-long nature of the boy's affliction. This simple phrase speaks volumes about years of torment, despair, and perhaps countless failed attempts at healing. It emphasizes that the boy's condition was not a recent development but had plagued him since infancy, making the family's desperation all the more understandable and the impending healing a truly remarkable intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:21 effectively employs several literary devices to enhance its impact. The primary device is **Dialogue**, which serves to immediately engage the reader in the personal interaction between Jesus and the father. This direct exchange allows for the revelation of crucial information—the long duration of the boy's suffering—in a concise and impactful manner. The father's brief answer, "Of a child," is an example of **Understatement** or **Laconicism**, where a few words convey a vast amount of pain and history. This brevity amplifies the **Pathos** of the situation, evoking deep sympathy for the boy and his family who have endured such a chronic affliction. Furthermore, the question itself, probing the history of the suffering, can be seen as a form of **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the dramatic and powerful miracle that is about to unfold, emphasizing the profound divine intervention required for such a deeply entrenched problem.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:21 profoundly illustrates Jesus' unique approach to human suffering, distinguishing His ministry from that of His disciples. While the disciples were unable to cast out the demon, Jesus' immediate action is not a display of raw power, but a compassionate inquiry. This interaction underscores a key theological truth: God is not distant from our pain but intimately concerned with its history and depth. The chronic nature of the boy's affliction, revealed by the father's answer, resonates with the long-standing struggles and generational burdens faced by humanity due to sin. Jesus' willingness to engage with this long-term suffering foreshadows His ultimate work on the cross, where He bore the cumulative weight of human sin and suffering, offering a complete and lasting deliverance that addresses the root causes of our brokenness, not just the symptoms. This verse thus serves as a powerful testament to God's patient, empathetic, and thorough redemptive work.

* [Psalm 34:18](/psalms/34-18 "Psalm 34:18 - God is Near to the Brokenhearted")
* [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")
* [Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:21 offers profound insights for our own lives and our approach to suffering, both in ourselves and in others. Jesus' compassionate inquiry reminds us that true care involves not just addressing symptoms, but understanding the history and depth of a person's pain. For those who have suffered for a long time, whether from chronic illness, emotional wounds, or spiritual struggles, this verse is a powerful affirmation that Jesus sees and cares about the longevity of our burdens. He does not rush to fix, but pauses to understand. This encourages us to be honest and vulnerable with Him about the "how long" of our own afflictions, trusting that His compassion is boundless and His power is sufficient, even for deeply entrenched problems. It also challenges us, as followers of Christ, to cultivate a similar empathetic posture, taking the time to listen deeply to the stories of those who suffer, rather than offering quick fixes or superficial advice. Our ministry, like Jesus', should be marked by profound empathy and a willingness to engage with the full scope of human brokenness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "how long" questions might Jesus be asking you about your own life or struggles?**
* **How does Jesus' compassionate inquiry in this verse challenge your own approach to listening to and caring for others who are suffering?**
* **In what ways does the father's brief answer, "Of a child," resonate with any long-standing burdens or chronic issues you or someone you know has faced?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jesus ask "How long" if He already knew everything?**

Answer: Jesus' question, "How long is it ago since this came unto him?" ([Mark 9:21](/mark/9-21 "Mark 9:21 - Jesus Asks About the Boy's Affliction")) was not posed out of ignorance, as if He lacked divine knowledge. Rather, it served several crucial purposes. Firstly, it allowed the father to articulate the depth and duration of his family's suffering, giving voice to their long-held pain and desperation. This act of verbalization can be therapeutic and helps to build trust. Secondly, it emphasized the severity and chronic nature of the boy's affliction, highlighting the immense power required for deliverance and underscoring the magnitude of the miracle Jesus was about to perform. Thirdly, it served as a teaching moment for the disciples and the surrounding crowd, demonstrating Jesus' compassionate and thorough engagement with human need, contrasting with the disciples' earlier failure and perhaps their more superficial approach. Jesus often asked questions to draw out faith, expose unbelief, or reveal the true state of a person's heart, as seen in His interaction with the blind man in [Mark 10:51](/mark/10-51 "Mark 10:51 - Jesus Asks Blind Bartimaeus What He Wants").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:21, with its poignant revelation of a child's lifelong suffering, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus as the compassionate Redeemer who enters into the full scope of human brokenness. The boy's affliction "of a child" mirrors the pervasive and deeply rooted nature of sin that afflicts humanity from birth, a condition that no human effort or religious ritual can cure, much like the disciples' inability to heal the boy. Jesus, however, unlike any other, is the One who not only asks about the duration of our suffering but perfectly understands it, having Himself "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows" ([Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - The Suffering Servant")). His patient inquiry foreshadows His ultimate act of empathy on the cross, where He took upon Himself the cumulative burden of humanity's chronic sin and its consequences, offering a complete and eternal deliverance. Just as He brought healing to a boy tormented since infancy, so too does He offer new life and freedom to those enslaved by sin from their earliest days, demonstrating His power as the 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")). Through His finished work, Jesus provides a definitive answer to the "how long" of humanity's suffering, ushering in an era where, for those in Him, all things are made new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Am Making All Things New")).

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

Acts 9:33

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

Job 5:7

Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

Mark 5:25

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

John 9:1

¶ And as [Jesus] passed by, he saw a man which was blind from [his] birth.

Acts 3:2

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

Job 14:1

¶ Man [that is] born of a woman [is] of few days, and full of trouble.

John 9:20

His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: