Mark 9:26

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the spirit cried {G2896}, and {G2532} rent {G4682} him {G846} sore {G4183}, and came out of him {G1831}: and {G2532} he was {G1096} as {G5616} one dead {G3498}; insomuch {G5620} that {G3754} many {G4183} said {G3004}, He is dead {G599}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shrieking and throwing the boy into a violent fit, it came out. The boy lay there like a corpse, so that most of the people said he was dead.

Berean Standard Bible

After shrieking and convulsing him violently, the spirit came out. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He is dead.”

American Standard Version

And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and the boy became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:26 provides a climactic and dramatic portrayal of a demon's expulsion from a boy, illustrating the spirit's violent resistance and the profound physical impact on its victim. This verse marks the successful culmination of Jesus' intervention after His disciples' inability to cast out the demon, powerfully demonstrating His supreme and undeniable authority over the forces of darkness and the immediate, life-altering nature of His divine power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic climax of the healing narrative found in [Mark 9:14-29](/mark/9-14-29 "Mark 9:14-29 - The Healing of a Demon-Possessed Boy"). Immediately preceding this account, Jesus, Peter, James, and John have just descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, where Jesus' divine glory was revealed. Upon their return, they find the remaining disciples embroiled in a public dispute with the scribes, unable to cast out a demon from a boy. The father's desperate plea and Jesus' subsequent rebuke of the "faithless generation" set the stage for this powerful exorcism. The disciples' failure highlights their spiritual immaturity and lack of faith, contrasting sharply with Jesus' effortless display of authority, which then leads to His private instruction on the necessity of prayer and fasting for such cases in [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - The Importance of Prayer and Fasting").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Jewish society, illnesses and afflictions that defied natural explanation were often attributed to demonic influence. People believed in the reality of evil spirits and their capacity to torment individuals, causing physical ailments like muteness, deafness, and seizures, as well as mental distress. Exorcism was practiced by various religious figures, but success was not guaranteed, and the power of the exorcist was often seen as a reflection of their spiritual authority. The public nature of this event, with the scribes present and the crowd observing, underscores the societal understanding of such occurrences and the profound impact Jesus' successful and dramatic exorcism would have had on the witnesses, solidifying His reputation as a powerful healer and a figure of unparalleled spiritual authority.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark. Firstly, it underscores **Jesus' Unquestionable Authority** over evil, a recurring motif throughout Mark's Gospel, where Jesus consistently demonstrates His power over sickness, nature, and demonic forces (e.g., [Mark 1:27](/mark/1-27 "Mark 1:27 - Jesus' Authority Over Unclean Spirits")). The demon's violent, last-ditch struggle before its expulsion highlights the absolute nature of Jesus' command. Secondly, it portrays the **Severity of Demonic Oppression**, emphasizing the destructive and life-threatening nature of spiritual bondage, as evidenced by the boy's convulsive state and near-death appearance. Thirdly, the narrative, culminating in this verse, highlights the **Struggle for Faith** among the disciples and the father, contrasting their limited understanding and power with Jesus' unwavering faith and omnipotence, echoing Jesus' earlier teaching on the power of belief in [Mark 9:23](/mark/9-23 "Mark 9:23 - All Things Are Possible to Him Who Believes").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **cried (Greek, _krázō'_):** This word, properly meaning "to croak" or "scream," indicates a loud, often desperate or violent outcry. Here, it vividly portrays the demon's final, defiant shriek as it is forced to relinquish its hold, a sound of anguish and rage in the face of Jesus' irresistible authority.
* **rent (Greek, _sparássō'_):** Meaning "to mangle" or "convulse with epilepsy," this term describes the violent, tearing spasms inflicted upon the boy by the departing spirit. It emphasizes the demon's malicious intent to cause maximum harm in its final moments, leaving the boy in a state of extreme physical distress.
* **dead (Greek, _nekrós'_):** This word refers to a corpse or one who is literally or figuratively without life. The boy's appearance as "one dead" was not hyperbole but an accurate description of his lifeless, motionless state immediately following the demon's departure, so much so that bystanders genuinely believed he had died.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the spirit cried":** This describes the demon's vocal reaction to Jesus' command. It's not a cry of pain or repentance, but a shriek of rage and defiance, a final, futile protest against the divine authority compelling its exit. This loud, public outcry confirms the spirit's real presence and its unwilling submission.
* **"and rent him sore":** This phrase details the violent physical manifestation of the demon's departure. The spirit, in its last act of malice, violently convulses the boy, causing severe spasms and physical distress. This demonstrates the destructive power of the demonic entity and its desperate attempt to inflict maximum harm before being expelled.
* **"and came out of him":** This simple yet profound clause signifies the successful expulsion of the demon. Despite its violent resistance, the spirit is ultimately forced to obey Jesus' command, confirming His absolute authority over the forces of evil and the completion of the exorcism.
* **"and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead":** This describes the immediate aftermath of the demon's departure. The boy's body, having been violently convulsed, is left in a state of profound stillness and lifelessness, appearing utterly unresponsive. The severity of this state is underscored by the reaction of the "many" onlookers who, witnessing his condition, concluded that he had indeed died, highlighting the dramatic nature of the event and the extent of the boy's suffering.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Hyperbole** is used in the bystanders' declaration, "He is dead," which, while a genuine observation of the boy's lifeless state, emphasizes the extreme nature of the physical trauma and the dramatic effect of the demon's departure. **Imagery** is vivid, painting a picture of the demon's "cried" (a shriek of rage) and the boy being "rent sore," evoking the violent, convulsive struggle. The phrase "as one dead" is a striking **simile**, comparing the boy's post-exorcism state to that of a corpse, underscoring the severity of the demonic oppression and the profound physical impact of the spirit's departure. This dramatic portrayal serves to highlight the immense power of Jesus, who can bring life even from such a desolate state.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:26 powerfully reinforces the theological truth of Jesus' supreme authority over all spiritual forces, even the most stubborn and destructive. This event serves as a tangible demonstration of God's power breaking into a world held captive by sin and evil. The demon's violent departure underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the profound suffering that evil can inflict, yet it simultaneously proclaims the liberating power of Christ. The immediate and dramatic transformation from a state resembling death to one of life and healing points to Jesus' unique ability to restore and redeem, offering a glimpse into the ultimate victory of light over darkness.

* [Luke 4:33-36](/luke/4-33-36 "Luke 4:33-36 - Jesus Casts Out a Demon in Capernaum")
* [Acts 19:11-16](/acts/19-11-16 "Acts 19:11-16 - The Sons of Sceva Attempt Exorcism")
* [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:26 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that the spiritual realm is real and that forces of darkness can inflict deep suffering. However, it also provides immense hope and assurance: no situation, no matter how desperate or seemingly "dead," is beyond the reach of Jesus' power. Just as the boy was restored to life and health, we are reminded that Christ can bring healing and deliverance to our lives, whether from spiritual oppression, overwhelming despair, or seemingly insurmountable challenges. This passage calls us to cultivate a deeper faith in Jesus' authority, recognizing that His power is not diminished by time or circumstance. It encourages us to bring our most desperate situations to Him, trusting that He is able to do "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "as one dead," and how might you invite Jesus' life-giving power into those areas?**
* **How does this account of Jesus' authority over evil spirits strengthen your faith in His ability to overcome the challenges you face today?**
* **What does the disciples' initial failure, contrasted with Jesus' success, teach you about the importance of prayer and faith in confronting spiritual battles?**

### FAQ
**Why did the spirit "rend him sore" before leaving?**

Answer: The spirit "rend him sore" (Greek: _sparássō_, meaning to tear or convulse) as a final, desperate act of malice and defiance. It was a violent, convulsive spasm intended to inflict maximum harm on the boy before being forced out by Jesus' command. This dramatic display underscores the demon's unwilling submission to Christ's superior authority and its inherent destructive nature, highlighting the severity of the boy's oppression and the power required to overcome it.

**Why did people think the boy was dead?**

Answer: The boy appeared "as one dead" because the violent convulsions caused by the departing spirit left him in a state of profound stillness and lifelessness. His body was likely limp and unresponsive, resembling a corpse. This was not merely an exaggeration but an accurate description of his immediate condition, so much so that the many onlookers genuinely believed he had died. This emphasizes the extreme physical impact of the demonic possession and the dramatic, immediate transformation brought about by the exorcism.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:26, with its vivid depiction of the demon's violent expulsion and the boy's subsequent lifeless state, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over sin, death, and all the powers of darkness. The boy's appearance "as one dead" before being raised by Jesus' hand is a microcosm of humanity's condition under the dominion of sin, spiritually dead and enslaved. Just as Jesus' command brought immediate deliverance and life to the boy, His redemptive work on the cross and His resurrection secured victory over the spiritual forces that hold humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). The violent struggle of the demon mirrors the spiritual warfare that Christ engaged in, culminating in His triumph over the "ruler of this world" ([John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Judgment of This World")). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus disarmed the powers of darkness, offering true freedom and new life to all who believe, demonstrating that His authority extends not only over individual demons but over the very power of death itself ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ's Deliverance from the Fear of Death")). The boy's restoration from a state of apparent death to full life is a powerful testament to Jesus as the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")), offering hope for all who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins ([Ephesians 2:1-5](/ephesians/2-1-5 "Ephesians 2:1-5 - Dead in Sins, Made Alive in Christ")).

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 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.

Mark 1:26

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

Exodus 5:23

For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.

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.

Revelation 12:12

¶ Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.