Mark 9:22

KJV

And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} ofttimes {G4178} it hath cast {G906} him {G846} into {G2532}{G1519} the fire {G4442}, and {G2532} into {G1519} the waters {G5204}, to {G2443} destroy {G622} him {G846}: but {G235} if {G1536} thou canst {G1410} do any thing {G1536}, have compassion {G4697} on {G1909} us {G2248}, and help {G997} us {G2254}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"and it often tries to kill him by throwing him into the fire or into the water. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us!"

Berean Standard Bible

“It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

American Standard Version

And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:22 captures the desperate plea of a father whose son is tormented by a demonic spirit, which frequently attempts to destroy the boy by casting him into fire and water. Overwhelmed by the severity of his son's suffering and the inability of Jesus's disciples to help, the father approaches Jesus with a conditional, yet hopeful, request for intervention, appealing to Christ's power and compassion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after Jesus's glorious [Transfiguration](/mark/9-2-8 "Mark 9:2-8 - The Transfiguration of Jesus"), a moment of divine revelation and confirmation of His identity. While Jesus, Peter, James, and John were on the mountain, the remaining disciples struggled to cast out a demon from a boy. Upon descending, Jesus finds a crowd arguing with His disciples, and the father of the afflicted boy explains the situation. The narrative vividly contrasts the divine power displayed on the mountain with the impotence of the disciples below, setting the stage for Jesus to demonstrate His ultimate authority over evil. The father's plea in [Mark 9:22](/mark/9-22 "Mark 9:22 - A Father's Desperate Plea") directly precedes Jesus's profound teaching on faith in [Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible for One Who Believes"), where He directly challenges the father's "if" with the transformative power of belief.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Jewish society, illnesses and afflictions that defied natural explanation were often attributed to demonic influence. This was not merely a superstitious belief but a deeply ingrained worldview that acknowledged a spiritual realm actively impacting the physical. Exorcism was a recognized practice, though often associated with specific rituals or the authority of a spiritual leader. The father's act of bringing his son to Jesus, after the failure of the disciples, reflects the common practice of seeking out healers and exorcists. The public nature of the encounter, with a crowd gathered, also highlights the societal impact of such afflictions and the communal expectation for divine intervention from a recognized prophet or healer like Jesus. The "fire" and "water" mentioned are not just elements but represent existential threats, common dangers in the natural world that the demon weaponizes for destruction.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores the **destructive power of evil** and the reality of **demonic oppression**, presenting a vivid picture of the spiritual warfare that Jesus came to confront. The demon's relentless attempts to "destroy" the boy emphasize the malevolent intent of such forces. Secondly, it highlights the **limitations of human power** (even that of the disciples) in the face of profound spiritual evil, contrasting it sharply with Jesus's **unrivaled authority and divine power**. Thirdly, the father's hesitant plea, "if thou canst do any thing," introduces the theme of **wavering faith and doubt**, which Jesus directly addresses in the subsequent verse, [Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible"). Finally, the father's appeal to Jesus's "compassion" brings to the forefront the theme of **Jesus's profound empathy and mercy** for those who suffer, a characteristic consistently demonstrated throughout His ministry, as seen in His healing of the leper in [Mark 1:41](/mark/1-41 "Mark 1:41 - Jesus Heals a Leper").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **cast (Greek, _bállō_):** G906. This verb implies a forceful, often violent, throwing or casting. Here, it vividly portrays the demon's aggressive and destructive actions, not merely an accidental fall but an intentional act of harm. It underscores the malevolent intent behind the boy's suffering.
* **destroy (Greek, _apóllymi_):** G622. Meaning "to destroy fully, to perish, or lose," this word emphasizes the demon's ultimate goal: the complete annihilation of the boy's life. It highlights the life-threatening nature of the oppression and the demon's murderous intent, not just to torment but to utterly ruin.
* **compassion (Greek, _splanchnízomai_):** G4697. This powerful verb literally means "to have the bowels yearn" and signifies a deep, visceral feeling of pity or sympathy that stirs one to action. It is the same word often used to describe Jesus's profound empathy, indicating a heartfelt, gut-level response to suffering. The father appeals to this core characteristic of Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him:"** This clause details the horrific and persistent nature of the demonic oppression. The demon's attacks are not isolated incidents but frequent ("ofttimes"), employing the most dangerous elements—fire (representing burning, searing pain, or accidental immolation) and water (representing drowning)—as instruments of destruction. The explicit purpose, "to destroy him," reveals the demon's ultimate, murderous intent, highlighting the severity and life-threatening reality of the boy's condition. This paints a picture of constant peril and profound suffering.
* **"but if thou canst do any thing,"** This pivotal phrase reveals the father's deep desperation and his wavering faith. The conjunction "but" marks a shift from describing the problem to presenting a plea. The "if" clause, "if thou canst do any thing," expresses a conditional hope, tinged with doubt, born out of repeated failures (including the disciples' inability to help) and the overwhelming nature of the affliction. It is a raw, honest admission of his limited expectation, yet it still holds a glimmer of possibility directed towards Jesus.
* **"have compassion on us, and help us."** This is the father's direct and heartfelt appeal. He doesn't command or demand but pleads for mercy and assistance. The use of "us" (plural) indicates that the suffering is not just the boy's but affects the entire family, particularly the father who has endured this prolonged anguish. He appeals to Jesus's character (compassion) and His power (help), recognizing Jesus as his last and only hope for relief.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices**. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of the demon's actions, casting the boy "into the fire, and into the waters," which, while perhaps literal, also emphasizes the extreme and life-threatening nature of the attacks. It paints a vivid picture of constant peril. The father's plea, "if thou canst do any thing," is a form of **Conditional Statement** that highlights his desperate, yet uncertain, hope, setting up a dramatic contrast with Jesus's subsequent affirmation of divine power. The repeated use of "us" in "have compassion on **us**, and help **us**" is a subtle form of **Synecdoche**, where the father speaks for the collective suffering of his family, indicating that the boy's affliction has consumed their lives. Finally, the entire passage is an example of **Pathos**, evoking deep sympathy for the suffering boy and his desperate father, drawing the reader emotionally into their plight and anticipating Jesus's compassionate response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:22 serves as a profound theological statement on the reality of spiritual warfare and the ultimate authority of Jesus Christ over all forces of evil. The demon's relentless attempts to destroy the boy underscore the malevolent nature of spiritual opposition, which seeks not merely to torment but to annihilate human life. This passage contrasts human limitations, even those of Jesus's disciples, with the boundless power of Christ. The father's plea, though marked by doubt, reflects a deep human need for divine intervention in the face of overwhelming suffering. It highlights that even imperfect faith can be a conduit for God's grace and power, as Jesus does not reject the father due to his uncertainty but meets him at his point of need, demonstrating His profound compassion and willingness to act.

* [Matthew 17:14-21](/matthew/17-14-21 "Matthew 17:14-21 - Jesus Heals a Demoniac Boy")
* [Luke 9:37-43](/luke/9-37-43 "Luke 9:37-43 - Jesus Heals a Demoniac Boy")
* [Hebrews 4:15-16](/hebrews/4-15-16 "Hebrews 4:15-16 - Our High Priest Understands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The father's raw, honest plea in Mark 9:22 offers profound lessons for our own spiritual lives. It reminds us that we can bring our deepest struggles, our most desperate circumstances, and even our most profound doubts directly to Jesus. His "if you can" is not a sign of commendable faith, but it is a genuine expression of a heart that is at its breaking point, yet still dares to hope in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. This narrative encourages us to be transparent with God about our fears and uncertainties, knowing that His compassion extends even to our wavering faith. It challenges us to move beyond our perceived limitations and the failures of others, to place our ultimate trust in Christ's absolute power and His unfailing compassion. When we feel overwhelmed by the "fires" and "waters" of life—be they physical ailments, emotional distress, spiritual attacks, or seemingly impossible situations—we are invited to cry out to Jesus, confident that He hears our pleas and is able to do "anything." Our vulnerability becomes the very ground upon which His power is most clearly demonstrated.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "fires" or "waters" in your life or the lives of those you care about feel like they are threatening to destroy you or them?**
* **Where do you find yourself expressing an "if you can" in your prayers, and how might this story encourage you to bring even your doubts to Jesus?**
* **How does the father's appeal to Jesus's compassion resonate with your understanding of Christ's character, and how does that encourage you to approach Him?**

### FAQ
**Why did the demon try to cast the boy into fire and water?**

Answer: The demon's actions of casting the boy "into the fire, and into the waters" were deliberate attempts to destroy him. These elements represent common and potent dangers in the natural world that could lead to death by burning or drowning. This highlights the demon's malevolent and murderous intent, aiming not just to torment the boy but to end his life. It underscores the extreme and life-threatening nature of the spiritual oppression the boy was experiencing.

**What does the father's phrase "if thou canst do any thing" reveal about his faith?**

Answer: The phrase "if thou canst do any thing" (Greek: _ei dýnē ti_) reveals the father's faith was conditional and wavering, tinged with doubt and desperation. He had witnessed the disciples' inability to help, and his son's suffering had been prolonged and severe. While he had enough hope to bring his son to Jesus, his experience had led him to question the extent of Jesus's power or willingness to intervene in such a dire situation. This sets the stage for Jesus's direct challenge to his "if" in [Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible for One Who Believes"), where Jesus shifts the focus from His ability to the father's belief.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:22, with its raw depiction of suffering and a father's desperate plea, powerfully foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ. The demon's intent to "destroy" the boy through fire and water points to the ultimate destructive power of sin and death, which held humanity captive. Just as the father appeals to Jesus's compassion and power, so too does humanity, trapped in its spiritual bondage, look to Christ for deliverance. Jesus, the Son of God, came precisely to "destroy the works of the devil" ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - The Purpose of the Son of God")), conquering the very forces that sought to destroy us. His compassion on the boy is a tangible manifestation of His divine love for all humanity, a love that compelled Him to endure the ultimate suffering on the cross to rescue us from the "fire" of judgment and the "waters" of chaos and spiritual death. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated His absolute power over all spiritual principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers and Authorities")), offering true freedom and life to all who, like the father, turn to Him in their desperation, even with a mustard seed of faith ([Matthew 17:20](/matthew/17-20 "Matthew 17:20 - Faith as a Mustard Seed")). He is the compassionate High Priest who understands our weaknesses ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands Our Weaknesses")) and has the power to save completely ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Jesus Our Eternal Intercessor")).

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 1:40

¶ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

Mark 1:42

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.

Matthew 14:31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Mark 5:19

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Matthew 9:28

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Matthew 20:34

So Jesus had compassion [on them], and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

Matthew 8:2

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.