Mark 9:27

KJV

But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} Jesus {G2424} took {G2902} him {G846} by the hand {G5495}, and lifted {G1453} him {G846} up {G1453}; and {G2532} he arose {G450}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Yeshua took him by the hand and raised him to his feet, and he stood up.

Berean Standard Bible

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

American Standard Version

But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 9:27 powerfully concludes the dramatic account of Jesus' healing of a demon-possessed boy, showcasing His immediate and compassionate intervention. After the disciples' failure and the boy's apparent lifelessness, Jesus personally takes the boy's hand, lifts him up, and he is instantly restored to full health, demonstrating Christ's supreme authority over spiritual bondage, sickness, and even the appearance of death.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a highly charged scene where Jesus descends from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples unable to cast out a demon from a boy. The father's desperate plea, his confession of struggling faith ("[Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief](/mark/9-24 "Mark 9:24 - The Father's Plea of Faith")"), and Jesus' subsequent rebuke of the deaf and mute spirit set the stage. The spirit's violent departure leaves the boy appearing dead, prompting many to say, "He is dead." Mark 9:27 is the climactic resolution, contrasting Jesus' effortless power with the disciples' impotence ([Mark 9:18](/mark/9-18 "Mark 9:18 - Disciples' Inability to Cast Out the Spirit")) and affirming His unique divine authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, demon possession was a widely accepted explanation for various physical and mental ailments, including epilepsy, muteness, and deafness, as seen in this narrative. Healers, often associated with divine power, were sought after. The act of touching, particularly the hand, was a common and significant gesture in healing practices, conveying both compassion and the transfer of power or blessing. For Jesus to physically take the boy's hand underscored His personal involvement and the direct, tangible nature of His divine power, distinguishing Him from other healers who might rely on incantations or rituals without direct contact.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 9:27 contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel. It highlights **Jesus' Unquestionable Authority** over all forces of evil and affliction, a theme consistently demonstrated throughout His ministry, from calming storms to casting out demons. It also emphasizes **Jesus' Profound Compassion**, as He doesn't merely command from a distance but physically engages with the suffering individual, embodying God's active concern for humanity. Finally, the boy's complete restoration underscores the theme of **Divine Restoration and New Life**, foreshadowing the ultimate victory over death achieved through Christ's own resurrection and His power to bring spiritual and physical renewal to those who are "dead" in their sins or afflictions.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Greek, _kratéō'_):** This word signifies "to use strength, to seize or retain." It implies more than a gentle grasp; it suggests a firm, authoritative hold. Jesus' action is not tentative but decisive, demonstrating His power and intent to secure the boy's healing and restoration. It conveys a strong, purposeful intervention.
* **lifted (Greek, _egeírō'_):** This term means "to waken, rouse, or raise up." It carries a rich semantic range, used for waking from sleep, rising from a seat, or even being raised from the dead. In this context, it denotes a powerful, life-giving action that goes beyond mere physical assistance, emphasizing the miraculous nature of the boy's revival from an apparently lifeless state.
* **arose (Greek, _anístēmi'_):** Meaning "to stand up" or "to rise up," this word perfectly complements _egeírō_. While _egeírō_ describes the act of being raised by another, _anístēmi_ describes the resultant state of standing or rising on one's own. Together, they signify a complete and immediate restoration to vitality, mobility, and full consciousness, confirming the comprehensive nature of Jesus' healing power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Jesus took him by the hand":** This opening clause immediately shifts the focus from the chaotic scene and the disciples' failure to Jesus' decisive and personal intervention. The physical touch of Jesus' hand signifies His compassion, His direct engagement with human suffering, and the tangible transfer of His divine power. It is an act of intimate connection and authority.
* **"and lifted him up":** Following the touch, Jesus performs a powerful action. The verb "lifted up" (egeírō) implies not just a physical raising from the ground but a comprehensive act of revival. Given the boy's previous state of appearing dead, this phrase conveys a miraculous restoration to life and strength, demonstrating Jesus' absolute dominion over the effects of the demonic oppression.
* **"and he arose.":** This final clause describes the immediate and complete effect of Jesus' action. The boy's ability to "arise" (anístēmi) signifies his full and instantaneous recovery. He is not merely revived but fully restored to health, able to stand on his own. This triumphant conclusion confirms the expulsion of the demon and the ultimate, undeniable power of Jesus to bring wholeness and new life.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:27 employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is starkly evident, highlighting the profound difference between the disciples' inability to heal and Jesus' immediate and effortless restoration of the boy. This contrast serves to underscore Jesus' unique divine authority and power. **Symbolism** is also rich in this verse. Jesus taking the boy's hand is a powerful symbol of divine compassion and active intervention, representing God reaching out to humanity in its deepest distress. The act of "lifting him up" and the boy "arising" carries strong symbolic weight, not only signifying physical healing but also spiritual restoration, new life, and victory over the forces of death and darkness, foreshadowing the ultimate resurrection. The swiftness of the action also creates a sense of **Dramatic Resolution**, providing a conclusive and triumphant end to a tense and challenging narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:27 is a profound theological statement about the nature and power of Jesus. It reveals Him as the compassionate Son of God, actively engaged in the suffering of humanity, and possessing absolute authority over all spiritual and physical maladies. His touch and command bring immediate and complete restoration, underscoring that true healing and deliverance come only through Him. This event serves as a powerful demonstration of God's willingness and ability to intervene directly in human despair, transforming apparent death into vibrant life.

* [Matthew 14:31](/matthew/14-31 "Matthew 14:31 - Jesus Reaches Out to Peter")
* [Acts 3:6-8](/acts/3-6-8 "Acts 3:6-8 - Peter Heals the Lame Man at the Temple Gate")
* [Psalm 145:14](/psalms/145-14 "Psalm 145:14 - The Lord Upholds All Who Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:27 offers profound encouragement and a powerful lesson for believers today. In moments of helplessness, when our faith falters, or when we face circumstances that seem insurmountable, this verse reminds us that Jesus is not distant. He is present, compassionate, and ready to reach out. Just as He physically took the boy's hand and lifted him from an apparent state of death, He extends His hand to us in our spiritual, emotional, or physical distress. This passage calls us to trust in His active intervention, His power to restore us from despair, and His ability to bring new life where there was only weakness or bondage. It underscores that our ultimate strength and restoration come from Him, and He is always capable of raising us out of our deepest struggles into a renewed sense of purpose and vitality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel like you are "down" or "lifeless," needing Jesus to "lift you up"?**
* **How does Jesus' physical act of taking the boy's hand encourage you about His personal involvement in your struggles?**
* **What does the immediate and complete restoration of the boy teach you about the nature of Jesus' power and His desire to bring wholeness?**
* **How can you extend "Jesus' hand" of compassion and help to others who are struggling to "arise" in their own lives?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus physically touch the boy, especially after rebuking the spirit with a word?**

Answer: While Jesus often healed with a simple command, His physical touch in this instance serves multiple purposes. First, it demonstrates profound compassion and personal engagement, showing that He is not detached from human suffering. Second, it provides a tangible, undeniable action for the onlookers, confirming the reality of the healing and the source of the power. In a culture where touch was significant in healing, it visually underscored His authority and the direct transfer of divine power, leaving no doubt about the boy's restoration after appearing dead.

**What does "he arose" signify beyond simply standing up?**

Answer: The phrase "he arose" (Greek: _anístēmi_) in this context signifies a complete and miraculous restoration to full health, vitality, and consciousness. Given that the boy was left "as one dead" after the demon's expulsion, his ability to immediately stand up indicates a comprehensive revival—not just regaining consciousness, but full physical and mental restoration. It represents a triumphant victory over the effects of the demonic oppression and a powerful display of Jesus' life-giving power, bringing the boy from a state of near-death to complete wholeness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:27, though a powerful account of physical healing, finds its deepest fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ as the ultimate Restorer and Giver of Life. The act of Jesus taking the boy by the hand and lifting him up foreshadows His own triumphant resurrection, where He was "raised from the dead by the glory of the Father" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Raised to Walk in Newness of Life")). Just as the boy was brought from an apparent state of death to new life, Christ's resurrection conquered sin and death, offering spiritual newness to all who believe. Through His atoning work, Jesus lifts humanity from the spiritual death caused by sin, granting us the power to "arise" into a new life in Him, as believers are "made alive together with Christ...and raised us up with him" ([Ephesians 2:5-6](/ephesians/2-5-6 "Ephesians 2:5-6 - Raised with Christ")). This verse, therefore, points beyond a single miraculous healing to the comprehensive work of Christ, who continually reaches out His hand to lift us from despair, bondage, and spiritual lifelessness, empowering us to walk in the resurrection power that is now ours in Him.

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 1:31

And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

Acts 3:7

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted [him] up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Mark 8:23

And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

Mark 5:41

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Mark 1:41

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth [his] hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

Isaiah 41:13

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Acts 9:41

And he gave her [his] hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.