Mark 9:28

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?

And {G2532} when he {G846} was come {G1525} into {G1519} the house {G3624}, his {G846} disciples {G3101} asked {G1905} him {G846} privately {G2596}{G2398}, Why {G3754} could {G1410} not {G3756} we {G2249} cast {G1544} him {G846} out {G1544}?

After Yeshua had gone indoors, his talmidim asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out?

Commentary

In Mark 9:28, following a moment of profound spiritual struggle and public embarrassment, Jesus' disciples seek a private explanation from their Lord. This King James Version (KJV) Bible verse captures a crucial teaching opportunity where the disciples confront their own limitations in the face of spiritual power, setting the stage for Jesus' deeper instruction on faith and prayer.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Jesus healing a demon-possessed boy whom the disciples had utterly failed to deliver. Despite having previously been given authority to cast out demons (Mark 6:7), they found themselves powerless against this particular oppressive spirit. The scene prior to this private inquiry was one of public spectacle and their own confusion. Jesus had just descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, where He revealed His glory to Peter, James, and John (Mark 9:2-8). The disciples' inability to heal the boy highlighted a stark contrast between divine power and human limitation, prompting their urgent, private question to Jesus once they were away from the crowd and "come into the house."

Key Themes

  • Disciples' Humility and Inquiry: Their question, "Why could not we cast him out?", reveals a genuine desire to understand their failure and grow in their spiritual walk. It’s a moment of honest self-assessment and a foundational step in discipleship.
  • The Nature of Spiritual Authority: The incident underscores that true spiritual power is not merely a given ability but requires specific conditions and a deep reliance on God, which Jesus elaborates on in the subsequent verse. It highlights the distinction between delegated authority and the necessary spiritual state to wield it effectively.
  • Private Instruction: Jesus often used private settings ("into the house") to teach His disciples more deeply, away from the misunderstanding or distractions of the crowds. This allowed for candid questions and tailored explanations, fostering a deeper understanding of spiritual truths.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cast him out" comes from the Greek verb ekballein (ἐκβάλλειν), which literally means "to throw out, to cast out, to drive out." This term is consistently used in the Gospels for the forceful expulsion of demons, emphasizing the confrontational and decisive nature of spiritual deliverance. The disciples' inability to ekballein the demon highlights a deficiency in their spiritual authority or approach. The word "privately" (Greek: kat' idian, κατ' ἰδίαν) emphasizes the intimate and personal nature of this conversation, indicating a moment of discipleship tailored specifically for their understanding and growth.

Practical Application

Mark 9:28 offers several important lessons for believers today concerning spiritual challenges and growth:

  • Acknowledge Limitations: Like the disciples, we will encounter spiritual obstacles or situations that seem insurmountable. This verse encourages us to humbly acknowledge our limitations and seek God's power rather than relying solely on our own strength or past successes in ministry or life.
  • Seek Understanding: When we face spiritual setbacks or failures, the appropriate response is not to despair but to humbly approach the Lord in prayer and study, asking "Why?" and seeking His wisdom and guidance. Our questions can lead to deeper revelation.
  • Dependence on God's Power: The answer Jesus provides in Mark 9:29 (that "this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting") directly addresses the disciples' failure, pointing to the essential role of deep spiritual discipline in exercising true spiritual authority. Our effectiveness in spiritual warfare depends entirely on our intimate connection to God.
  • Growth Through Failure: The disciples' failure became a powerful teaching moment, leading to a deeper understanding of spiritual principles. Our own struggles and perceived failures can likewise become opportunities for significant spiritual growth if we approach them with humility and a desire to learn from Christ.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 17:19

    Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

  • Matthew 17:20

    And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

  • Matthew 13:10

    And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

  • Mark 7:17

    And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.

  • Matthew 15:15

    Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

  • Mark 4:10

    And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

  • Matthew 13:36

    Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
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