Mark 9:25

KJV

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, [Thou] dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

KJV (with Strong's)

When {G1161} Jesus {G2424} saw {G1492} that {G3754} the people {G3793} came running together {G1998}, he rebuked {G2008} the foul {G169} spirit {G4151}, saying {G3004} unto him {G846}, Thou dumb {G216} and {G2532} deaf {G2974} spirit {G4151}, I {G1473} charge {G2004} thee {G4671}, come {G1831} out of {G1537} him {G846}, and {G2532} enter {G1525} no more {G3371} into {G1519} him {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Yeshua saw that the crowd was closing in on them, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You deaf and dumb spirit! I command you: come out of him, and never go back into him again!"

Berean Standard Bible

When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.”

American Standard Version

And when Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:25 vividly portrays Jesus's absolute and immediate authority over demonic forces. In this pivotal moment, as a large crowd gathers and His disciples remain helpless, Jesus directly confronts a malevolent spirit that has rendered a boy mute and deaf. With a singular, powerful command, Jesus rebukes the "foul spirit," ordering it to depart permanently from the afflicted child, thereby demonstrating His unique sovereignty over all spiritual oppression and bringing complete deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of a dramatic narrative beginning in [Mark 9:14](/mark/9-14 "Mark 9:14 - Jesus Heals a Demoniac Boy"). Jesus has just descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, where His divine glory was revealed to Peter, James, and John. Upon His return, He finds the remaining disciples embroiled in an argument with scribes, unable to cast out a demon from a boy. The father's desperate plea highlights the disciples' failure and the severity of the boy's suffering, which includes violent convulsions and self-harm. Jesus's subsequent lament about the "faithless generation" ([Mark 9:19](/mark/9-19 "Mark 9:19 - Jesus's Lament Over Unbelief")) sets the stage for His decisive intervention, contrasting His omnipotent power with human weakness and unbelief. The gathering crowd, mentioned in this verse, underscores the public nature of the miracle and the immediate impact of Jesus's presence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In 1st-century Jewish society, illnesses and afflictions, particularly those involving speech, hearing, or violent behavior, were often attributed to demonic influence. Exorcism was a recognized practice, though often complex and requiring specific rituals or divine power. The failure of Jesus's disciples would have been a significant public embarrassment, potentially undermining their credibility and, by extension, Jesus's. The description of the spirit as "dumb and deaf" (G216, G2974) reflects the observable symptoms, not necessarily the inherent nature of the demon itself. This specific affliction made the boy unable to hear or respond to religious instruction or the call of God, a profound spiritual implication in a culture centered on the Law and divine revelation. The rapid gathering of the crowd was typical, as word of miraculous events spread quickly, drawing onlookers eager to witness or challenge such displays of power.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:25 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Mark's Gospel. Foremost is **Jesus's Supreme Authority** over all creation, including the spiritual realm. His command is not a plea but an absolute decree, demonstrating His divine power that far surpasses that of His disciples or any human agency. This event also highlights the **Nature of Spiritual Warfare**, portraying demonic forces as real, malevolent, and debilitating, yet ultimately subservient to Christ. Furthermore, the broader context of the passage emphasizes the theme of **Faith and Unbelief**, with the father's struggling faith and the disciples' lack of it serving as a backdrop to Jesus's unwavering power. The deliverance of the boy also underscores Jesus's **Compassion and Redemptive Mission**, as He restores individuals from the most severe forms of bondage, foreshadowing His ultimate victory over the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection, as seen in passages like [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **rebuked (Greek, _epitimáō'_):** This term (G2008) signifies a strong censure, admonition, or, by implication, to forbid. It's not merely a suggestion but a forceful, authoritative command, often used in the New Testament to describe Jesus's dominion over natural elements, diseases, and demons. It underscores Jesus's inherent right and power to confront and silence evil.
* **foul (Greek, _akáthartos'_):** Derived from a negative particle and a word meaning "cleansed," _akáthartos_ (G169) means impure, ceremonially, morally, or specifically, demonic. It emphasizes the defiling, unholy nature of the spirit, which stands in stark contrast to the holiness of God and the purity Jesus embodies. The spirit's presence pollutes and corrupts.
* **charge (Greek, _epitássō'_):** This word (G2004) means to arrange upon or order. It conveys a strong, authoritative injunction or command, reinforcing the idea that Jesus is not asking but issuing an absolute directive. It highlights His position of power and His right to impose His will upon the demonic entity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When Jesus saw that the people came running together":** This clause sets the scene, indicating the immediate public attention drawn to the unfolding event. The Greek word for "came running together" (_episyntréchō_, G1998) implies a hasty gathering, suggesting a sense of urgency and perhaps morbid curiosity among the crowd, which could have further complicated the situation for the father and the disciples.
* **"he rebuked the foul spirit":** This is the decisive action. Jesus does not engage in a prolonged battle or a complex ritual. His "rebuke" (_epitimáō_) is a direct, authoritative confrontation with the demon, asserting His supreme power over it. The spirit is identified as "foul" (_akáthartos_), emphasizing its inherent impurity and opposition to God's holiness.
* **"saying unto him, 'Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.'":** This is Jesus's direct command. By addressing the spirit as "dumb and deaf" (_álalos_ G216 and _kōphós_ G2974), Jesus identifies the specific manifestation of its oppression, highlighting the precise nature of the boy's affliction. The phrase "I charge thee" (_epitássō_) reinforces the absolute authority behind His command. The dual imperative "come out of him, and enter no more into him" (_exérchomai_ G1831, _eisérchomai_ G1525, _mēkéti_ G3371) signifies a complete and permanent expulsion, ensuring that the deliverance is final and the boy will not be re-afflicted by this particular demon.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:25 is rich in literary devices that amplify its theological message. The most prominent is **Direct Address**, as Jesus speaks directly to the demon, personifying it and asserting His dominion over it. This is immediately followed by the **Imperative Mood** ("come out," "enter no more"), which conveys Jesus's absolute authority and the non-negotiable nature of His command. There is a clear **Contrast** between the disciples' inability to cast out the demon and Jesus's effortless, immediate success, highlighting His unique power. The description of the spirit as "dumb and deaf" serves as **Metonymy**, where the effect (the boy's muteness and deafness) is used to describe the cause (the spirit itself). This also carries **Symbolism**, as spiritual "deafness" and "muteness" often represent an inability to hear or proclaim God's truth, suggesting the demon's aim was to spiritually incapacitate the boy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:25 stands as a powerful testament to the unique and unparalleled authority of Jesus Christ over the forces of evil. It demonstrates that demonic oppression, no matter how entrenched or debilitating, is utterly subject to His divine word. This event is not merely a display of power but a revelation of God's redemptive purpose—to liberate humanity from the dominion of darkness and restore them to wholeness. The "foul spirit" represents the pervasive nature of evil and sin that defiles and binds, while Jesus's authoritative command signifies the purity and power of God's kingdom breaking into the world to reclaim what is lost. This encounter foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death on the cross, establishing His reign as the supreme Lord over all powers, visible and invisible.

* [Luke 4:36](/luke/4-36 "Luke 4:36 - Jesus's Authority Over Demons")
* [Acts 19:15-16](/acts/19-15-16 "Acts 19:15-16 - The Sons of Sceva and Demonic Recognition")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:25 offers profound encouragement and practical insight for believers today. In a world where spiritual oppression, emotional bondage, and various forms of suffering persist, this passage reminds us that Jesus Christ retains all authority. We are called to bring our deepest needs, our most challenging circumstances, and the burdens of those we love to Him, confident in His ability to deliver. Just as Jesus's word was sufficient to cast out the demon, His promises and His presence are sufficient for us. This passage encourages us to cultivate a robust faith that trusts in Jesus's power, even when our own efforts or the efforts of others seem to fail. It also serves as a call to spiritual vigilance, recognizing that while evil spirits are real, their power is limited and ultimately broken by Christ. Our hope is not in our strength, but in His.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What areas of your life, or the lives of those you know, feel "bound" or "oppressed," and how does Jesus's authority in Mark 9:25 offer hope for deliverance?**
* **How does Jesus's immediate and decisive action contrast with the disciples' prior failure, and what does this teach us about relying on Christ's power versus our own?**
* **In what ways can we practically apply the truth of Jesus's sovereignty over evil spirits in our daily lives, particularly when facing spiritual or emotional battles?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus specifically call the spirit "dumb and deaf"?**

Answer: Jesus addressed the spirit as "dumb and deaf" because these were the specific, debilitating symptoms it caused in the boy. The demon's oppression manifested as an inability to speak or hear, which would have profoundly isolated the child and prevented him from engaging in normal life or religious instruction. By naming the affliction, Jesus directly confronted the demon's work and asserted His authority over that specific manifestation of evil, demonstrating His power to restore the boy to full function, as seen in [Mark 9:26-27](/mark/9-26-27 "Mark 9:26-27 - The Boy's Deliverance and Restoration").

**Does this passage suggest that all physical ailments like muteness or deafness are caused by demons?**

Answer: No, this passage does not suggest that all physical ailments are caused by demonic possession. While some biblical accounts, like this one, clearly link physical symptoms to demonic activity, the Bible also records Jesus healing people with similar conditions who were not described as demon-possessed (e.g., [Mark 7:31-37](/mark/7-31-37 "Mark 7:31-37 - Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man")). The key is to understand that in this specific case, the symptoms were a direct result of the "foul spirit's" oppression, which Jesus identified and confronted. We must avoid generalizing this particular instance to all cases of physical disability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:25 is a powerful microcosm of Christ's broader mission and ultimate victory. The immediate and absolute authority Jesus displays over the "foul spirit" foreshadows His comprehensive triumph over all the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection. Just as He definitively commanded the demon to "enter no more" into the boy, so too did He, on the cross, disarm the principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). This act of deliverance points to the greater liberation from sin and spiritual death that Christ offers to all humanity. He is the true deliverer, who came not merely to alleviate symptoms but to utterly 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")). Through His finished work, believers are transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of His beloved Son ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")), receiving permanent freedom and new life in Him. This singular act of exorcism in Mark 9:25 thus serves as a vivid demonstration of the conquering King, Jesus, who establishes His reign by decisively defeating every enemy of God and humanity.

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 16:18

And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Mark 9:15

And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to [him] saluted him.

Matthew 17:18

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Luke 9:42

And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare [him]. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

Isaiah 35:5

¶ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Isaiah 35:6

Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Matthew 9:32

As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.