Mark 9:29

KJV

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he said {G2036} unto them {G846}, This {G5124} kind {G1085} can {G1410} come forth {G1831} by {G1722} nothing {G3762}, but {G1508} by {G1722} prayer {G4335} and {G2532} fasting {G3521}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said to them "This is the kind of spirit that can be driven out only by prayer."

Berean Standard Bible

Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”

American Standard Version

And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Mark 9:29, Jesus provides a profound explanation to His disciples regarding their inability to cast out a particularly stubborn demon. This verse serves as a critical teaching on the nature of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that certain deeply entrenched spiritual strongholds cannot be overcome by ordinary means or human effort alone, but require a heightened level of spiritual engagement through dedicated prayer and, notably, fasting. It underscores the essential dependence of believers on divine power, accessed through disciplined spiritual practices, for effective ministry in the face of formidable spiritual opposition.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after a pivotal and somewhat embarrassing incident for Jesus' disciples. They had been given authority to cast out demons (as seen in [Mark 6:7](/mark/6-7 "Mark 6:7 - Jesus Sends Out the Twelve")), yet they failed spectacularly to deliver a demon-possessed boy, leading to public questioning and a challenge to their spiritual authority. Jesus, upon arriving, effortlessly casts out the demon, demonstrating His supreme power. Privately, the disciples approach Jesus with the direct question, "Why could not we cast him out?" ([Mark 9:28](/mark/9-28 "Mark 9:28 - Disciples' Question to Jesus")). Jesus' response in [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - The Power of Prayer and Fasting") directly addresses their failure, providing a crucial insight into the spiritual power dynamics at play and the necessary disciplines for effective spiritual ministry. It contrasts their human limitations with the divine enablement available through specific spiritual practices.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In 1st-century Jewish society, demon possession was a recognized phenomenon, and exorcism was practiced, though often with limited success by Jewish exorcists (e.g., [Acts 19:13-16](/acts/19-13-16 "Acts 19:13-16 - The Sons of Sceva")). Fasting was a well-established spiritual discipline, practiced for repentance, mourning, seeking divine intervention, or preparing for spiritual encounters. The Day of Atonement ([Leviticus 23:27-32](/leviticus/23-27-32 "Leviticus 23:27-32 - The Day of Atonement")) mandated a fast, and individuals or groups would fast in times of crisis or intense prayer (e.g., [Daniel 9:3](/daniel/9-3 "Daniel 9:3 - Daniel's Prayer and Fasting")). Prayer was, of course, central to Jewish piety. Jesus' teaching here connects these traditional practices to the specific context of spiritual warfare, indicating that for certain "kinds" of spiritual opposition, a deeper level of spiritual consecration and dependence on God, expressed through both prayer and fasting, was required.
* **Key Themes:** [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Spiritual Disciplines for Spiritual Warfare") contributes significantly to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **supremacy of Jesus' authority** over all spiritual forces, even those that prove resistant to His disciples. Secondly, it underscores the **reality and power of spiritual warfare**, indicating that not all demonic opposition is of the same intensity, and some require extraordinary spiritual measures. Thirdly, it emphasizes **dependence on God** rather than human ability or inherent authority; the disciples' failure stemmed from a lack of sufficient reliance on divine power, which prayer and fasting facilitate. Finally, it teaches the **necessity of spiritual disciplines** for effective ministry, suggesting that personal spiritual readiness and a consecrated life are prerequisites for wielding divine power against entrenched evil, aligning with the call to "put on the whole armour of God" found in [Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10-18 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Whole Armor of God").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **kind (Greek, _génos'_):** This word refers to a "kin," "generation," or "species." In this context, it denotes a specific category or type of evil spirit. Jesus' use of "this kind" implies that there are varying degrees of demonic power or entrenchment, and some spiritual entities are more resistant to expulsion than others. It suggests a qualitative difference in the spiritual opposition faced by the disciples.
* **come forth (Greek, _exérchomai'_):** Meaning "to issue," "come out," or "depart," this verb describes the expulsion or departure of the demonic entity from the possessed individual. It emphasizes the active and forceful nature of the exorcism, indicating that the spirit must be compelled to leave, and for "this kind," a greater spiritual force is required to achieve this departure.
* **prayer (Greek, _proseuchḗ'_):** This term signifies "prayer" or "worship," often implying earnest supplication. It points to the essential act of communicating with God, seeking His power and intervention. Jesus identifies prayer as a non-negotiable means for overcoming stubborn spiritual opposition, highlighting the absolute dependence on God's power rather than human strength or technique in spiritual warfare.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto them,"**: This clause establishes Jesus as the speaker and the disciples as the direct recipients of this crucial teaching. It signifies a private instruction given in response to their specific failure and question, indicating its importance for their future ministry.
* **"This kind can come forth by nothing,"**: Jesus identifies a specific category of spiritual entity ("this kind") that is exceptionally resistant. The phrase "by nothing" (Greek: _oudeís_ combined with _en_ for instrumentality) emphatically states that human effort, inherent authority, or conventional methods are utterly insufficient to expel such a spirit. It highlights the disciples' powerlessness in this particular situation without a deeper spiritual engagement.
* **"but by prayer and fasting."**: This clause provides the exclusive means by which "this kind" of demon can be overcome. The conjunction "but" (Greek: _ei mḗ_) introduces the sole exception to the preceding negative statement, presenting prayer and fasting as the indispensable disciplines. This pairing signifies a profound spiritual earnestness, dependence on God, and a willingness to sacrifice personal comfort to align with divine power for effective spiritual warfare.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 9:29 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, particularly in the phrase "by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." While not strictly literal that absolutely *nothing* else would work (Jesus Himself cast it out effortlessly), the exaggerated language emphasizes the extreme difficulty and the absolute necessity of these spiritual disciplines for the disciples. This creates a stark **Contrast** between the disciples' human inadequacy and the divine power accessible through prayer and fasting. The entire statement functions as a piece of **Didacticism**, a direct teaching by Jesus to His disciples, designed to instruct them on the true nature of spiritual authority and the means by which it is effectively exercised. The specific mention of "this kind" also suggests a form of **Categorization**, implying a hierarchy or varying degrees of spiritual opposition that require different levels of spiritual readiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 9:29 is a cornerstone passage for understanding the dynamics of spiritual warfare and the indispensable role of spiritual disciplines. It reveals that while believers are indeed given authority over evil spirits through Christ, the effective exercise of this authority, particularly against deeply entrenched or "stubborn" spiritual strongholds, requires a profound and active dependence on God. This dependence is cultivated through prayer, which is a direct appeal to God's power and sovereignty, and fasting, which signifies a heightened level of earnestness, self-denial, and consecration, aligning the believer's will and spirit more fully with God's. The verse underscores that victory in spiritual battles is not achieved by human might or cleverness, but by God's power flowing through consecrated vessels. It calls believers to a deeper, more intentional pursuit of God's presence and power, acknowledging that some spiritual victories demand an extraordinary spiritual commitment.

* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")
* [James 5:16](/james/5-16 "James 5:16 - The Effective Prayer of a Righteous Person")
* [Matthew 6:16-18](/matthew/6-16-18 "Matthew 6:16-18 - Jesus' Teaching on Fasting")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 9:29 serves as a powerful and enduring challenge to believers today, reminding us that many of the struggles we face, whether personal, communal, or societal, have a spiritual dimension that cannot be overcome by purely natural means. It calls us beyond superficial faith to a deeper, more consecrated walk with God. When confronted with persistent sin patterns, entrenched spiritual strongholds, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse urges us to assess our spiritual readiness. It teaches us that true spiritual authority is not a static possession but a dynamic relationship of dependence on God, nurtured through consistent and fervent prayer. Furthermore, the inclusion of fasting suggests that there are times when we must go beyond our comfort zones, denying the flesh and intensifying our spiritual focus, to break through stubborn spiritual resistance. This is not about earning God's favor, but about aligning ourselves more fully with His will and power, demonstrating our earnestness and absolute reliance on Him for victory. It encourages us to engage in spiritual warfare with intentionality, humility, and a deep understanding that our power comes solely from God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "kinds" of spiritual strongholds or persistent challenges in my life or community seem resistant to ordinary prayer?**
* **How does my current prayer life reflect a deep dependence on God for spiritual victories, rather than reliance on my own strength or wisdom?**
* **In what ways might incorporating fasting, or a deeper form of spiritual discipline, enhance my spiritual sensitivity and effectiveness in addressing difficult situations?**
* **Am I willing to go beyond my spiritual comfort zone to engage in more intense spiritual disciplines when faced with formidable spiritual opposition?**

### FAQ
**Is the phrase "and fasting" original to Mark 9:29, or was it added later?**

Answer: The textual authenticity of "and fasting" in [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - The Inclusion of Fasting") is a subject of scholarly debate. While it is present in the King James Version and many other ancient manuscripts (including the Byzantine text type, which forms the basis for the Textus Receptus), some of the earliest and most reliable manuscripts (such as Codex Sinaiticus and Vaticanus) omit "and fasting," reading simply "This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer." Many modern translations (e.g., NIV, ESV, NASB) either omit it or include it in a footnote, indicating the textual variant. Regardless of its originality in this specific verse, the theological principle of prayer and fasting as powerful spiritual disciplines is well-attested throughout the Bible, both in Jesus' own practice ([Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Fasting in the Wilderness")) and in the early church ([Acts 13:2-3](/acts/13-2-3 "Acts 13:2-3 - Fasting and Prayer in Antioch")). Therefore, while the precise wording in [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Textual Variants") may be debated, the spiritual truth it conveys remains biblically sound.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 9:29, while a direct instruction to the disciples, finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ Himself. Jesus, the Son of God, is the embodiment of perfect dependence on the Father, living a life marked by profound prayer and, at times, fasting ([Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Fasting")). His effortless expulsion of the demon, where His disciples failed, powerfully demonstrates His inherent and supreme authority over all "kinds" of evil spirits ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The passage implicitly points to the truth that only through union with Christ can believers access the power necessary for such spiritual victories. We do not overcome by our own strength or spiritual disciplines in isolation, but by participating in His victory and drawing upon His limitless power. Our prayer and fasting are not means to earn power, but expressions of our reliance on the One who has already triumphed over every principality and power on the cross ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). Thus, [Mark 9:29](/mark/9-29 "Mark 9:29 - Christ's Authority and Our Participation") ultimately calls us to abide in Christ ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ")), for it is His authority that we exercise, and His Spirit who empowers us, enabling us to confront and overcome "this kind" of spiritual opposition through a life consecrated to 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

James 5:15

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

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.

Daniel 9:3

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Ephesians 6:18

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Kings 17:20

And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

1 Kings 17:22

And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

Luke 11:26

Then goeth he, and taketh [to him] seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last [state] of that man is worse than the first.