COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 98
“ 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. 21 And He asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if Thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:20-24; Luke 9:42a)
THE BOY WITH AN OPPRESSING SPIRIT #2
INTRODUCTION
Jesus has confronted a father with an only son who is being dominated by a “dumb spirit.” Having taken the boy to Jesus’ disciples, the man reports they were unable to cast the oppressing spirit out of his son – even though they had cast out demons previously. This confirms that such abilities are not accomplished by a routine, or by simply shouting out “in the name of Jesus.” Here were nine elite men, chosen by Jesus, taught by Jesus, and once sent forth by Him to work all manner of signs and wonders, even including raising the dead (Matt 10:8). We will find that there is more to victory than learning a procedure, building on success, or handling the name of Jesus as though there was some independent power in it, or that the vast world of fallen spirits recognize those identified with Jesus and automatically flee from them. As ideal as that may appear, we have a text before us that dashes such imaginations to the ground. The Kingdom of God is one teeming with life and purpose. It is not driven by laws, but by a Person. Some have mistakenly said it is governed by principles, as they suppose nature is. However neither the Kingdom nor nature is upheld by principles. It is the Person of Christ who upholds both (Heb 1:3; Isa 9:6), and it is not possible to exploit Him, or use Him for personal Gain and advantage. Here is a point that the legalists and religious charlatans cannot grasp – everything is controlled by Christ Himself, who holds the reins of the Kingdom – and only faith can access Him.
THEY BRING THE BOY TO JESUS
“ Mk 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.”
THEY BROUGHT HIM TO HIM. Jesus said, “Bring him to Me,” and they did, instantly responding to His word. The fact that the father had been faced with failure did not cause him to leave. He had remained, waiting for Jesus, and there were still people to assist him in his quest. Oh, that men would learn to linger for the blessing, wrestle for it, and continue to cry out, though the Lord bears long with them!
Why did not the father himself bring the boy? Why did “they” bring him? While a precise explanation is not given, it appears that the father himself was not able to handle the boy. Perhaps the disciples to whom he had brought his son assisted him in getting his son to Jesus. They helped him like the four men who carried an impotent man to Jesus (Mk 2:3).
There are cases that require the involvement of others. When Peter and John were threatened, they went to the other believers, and together they brought the case to the Lord in a powerful prayer (Acts 4:23-31). When a certain centurion sought for the Lord to heal his servant, who was “ready to die,” he sent “the elders of the Jews” to beseech Jesus to come and heal his servant. They did beseech Jesus, and He did come and heal his servant (Lk 7:2-10). There is good reason to be hopeful that joint-petitions will be honored by the Lord.
WHEN HE SAW HIM. This refers to the spirit seeing Jesus, not Jesus seeing the boy. Other versions emphasize this: “when the spirit saw Jesus,” NIV “when the spirit saw Him,” NRSV and “as soon as the spirit saw Him.” GENEVA We also know this is the case by the words that follow.
The powers of darkness recognized Jesus when He was in the flesh. Satan knew who He was, and engaged in a vigorous assault of temptation upon Him (Matt 4:1-10). Satan also “entered into” Judas, leading him to betray Jesus, because he knew who Jesus was (Lk 22:3). We also have several instances of demons recognizing Jesus (Matt 8:29; Mk 1:24; 5:7).
This demon was able to distinguish between Jesus, in whom he could not work, and the boy, in whom he could work. Jesus once said, “the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me” (John 14:30). Satan did, however, have something in Judas, and was thus able to work in him, for he was, as Jesus said, “a devil” (John 6:70).
There is a principle to be seen here that will assist us in thinking properly. Just as there are certain people in whom God can work, doing “that which is well pleasing in His sight” (Heb 13:20), so there are people in whom Satan more readily works. It is for this reason that we are solemnly warned, “Neither give place to the devil,” or “do not give the devil an opportunity” NASB (Eph 4:27). And why are we to be mindful of this? Because if we make room NRSV for Satan, he will seize the opportunity! If we, by ceasing to “go on to perfection,” allow “the flesh” to have dominance, Satan will “get an advantage of us” (2 Cor 2:11). This is where the reasoning of those who defend the imagination of “carnal Christians” falls to the ground. Carnality is the domain in which the devil works. It is where imaginations grow, lusts are nourished, and rebellion against God is cultured. This is precisely why professing Christians fall. They have made a place for Satan, he recognized it, and gained the advantage over them.
The point of this text is that Satan’s worker – a “dumb spirit” – recognized Jesus, even though He was “in the flesh,” or in a body (1 Tim 3:16). He did not attack Jesus, for there was nothing in Him with which the demon could work. Neither, indeed, did he attack Peter James and John, who were with Jesus. Nor did he attack the nine disciples who attempted to cast him out, leaping on them like a demon-possessed man did on the sons of Sceva (Acts 19:14-16). Likewise, our safety is accented when we are with the Lord, and He is dwelling in our hearts by faith (Eph 3:17). The presence of Christ, not our achievement, protects us, and He does not dwell where there is unbelief and carnality.
HE TARE HIM. “ . . . straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.” Another version reads, “he immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling about and foaming at the mouth,” NASB Luke reads, “as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him”(Luke 9:42). Although this demon was subject to Jesus, he hated Him, and did what he could, even though he could not touch Jesus. From one point of view, this was a test of the father’s faith, having his son brought to Jesus, and on the way he is attacked again by the same “dumb spirit.” From another point of view, we see the evil nature of the powers of darkness who care nothing for mankind, or even for young children. From yet another point of view we will see that even though this demon made a last attempt to destroy the boy, he was not able to do so.
It should not surprise us if Satan makes aggressive attempts to bring us down, even while we are en route to Jesus! When we are making an attempt to bring our needs to Christ, this does not mean we are completely insulated from Satan’s attacks on the way. Believers do well to make war against religious naivety, or unwarranted simplicity. In understanding, be men! (1 Cor 14:20).
JESUS SPEAKS TO THE FATHER
“ 21 And He asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if Thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.”
HE ASKED HIS FATHER. What a valuable lesson is to be learned here. The fact that there is tumult and concern among us, does not mean that is the way it is with Jesus. A person without understanding might imagine that Jesus did not have a deep care for this man and his son. Calmly Jesus asks, “How long has this been happening to him?” NKJV Jesus did not ask this to obtain information, “He knew what was in man” (John 2:25), to say nothing of the circumstances that surrounds him.
One of the grand perspectives of the book of Revelation is that when there is tumult and chaos upon the earth, there is calmness and serenity in heaven, depicted by a “sea of glass” (Rev 4:6; 15:2). With the government upon His shoulder, Jesus is not unsettled by what is happening upon the earth. He is never confronted with a crisis, emergency, or crossroad. He is never, as men are, brought to despair, fretting, or distress. This is reflected in our text. Calmly Jesus asks the man how long his son has been troubled by this oppressing demon.
While care must be taken not to be diverted to speculation, perhaps the Lord still deals with men in this manner, moving them to consider the seriousness and length of the difficulty they are bringing to him. Perhaps he wants to widen our view of the matter so we will give him the greater glory for what He does. Small views of the circumstance will not yield appropriate praise and thanksgiving to the Master of the circumstance.
HE SAID. This oppression has lasted for some time – “from childhood,” NKJV or “from the time he was a little boy,” AMPLIFIED or from infancy. What a pitiful situation it was! From this description we see that the affliction was not owing to any transgression on the boys part – like the punishment of Nabal (1 Sam 25:36), Gehazi (2 Kgs 5:27), Uzziah (2 Chron 26:19), Jeroboah (2 Chron 13:20), Jehoram (2 Chron 21:19), and certain at Corinth (1 Cor 11:30). All infirmity is traced to the general condition of man’s sinfulness, but is not always owing to a specific sin of the individual. This boy’s condition was associated with the fallen state of mankind, but was not related to anything he himself had done.
The father provided some vivid details of the oppression of his son. “And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him” NKJV This demon had tried to kill the boy by burning and drowning, but had not been able to do so. The thought of a spirit throwing a boy into fire and water speaks of the frailty of humanity. It also testifies to the government of the world of demons by heaven, else they would long ago have destroyed mankind. This also provides some insight into what happens when God delivers people over to a reprobate mind, as He did in the Gentile world (Rom 1:28). At that point all manner of immorality and vice broke out among the Gentiles (Rom 1:29-32). This was not only because of man’s corrupt nature, but because Satan and his hosts could now work more freely in men. It should bring great sobriety to mortals to consider that the dominance of wickedness and the proliferation of immorality could very well indicate that God has delivered men over to a reprobate state.
IF THOU CANST DO ANYTHING. The man cries out in despair, “But if You CAN do anything . . .” NKJV It is as though the man had heard reports that this was the case, but had not yet been convinced. He was in the same state as many professing Christians. They have heard that God can do anything, yet stand in doubt of it, only being able to hope that this is true. Also, the man knew if Jesus could do “anything,” the case of his son would not be too hard for Him.
It is a human infirmity to imagine that personal circumstances are in some way difficult for God. Either He is not able, or He is not willing. In either case, the situation becomes impossible. When God confirmed His promise to Abraham concerning the birth of a son, Sarah laughed, reasoning within herself that the age of Abraham and herself prohibited such a thing (Gen 18:12-13). The Lord then said to Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen 18:14). When God called Moses, telling him he had been chosen to deliver Israel, Moses reasoned, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?”(Ex 3:11). After hearing further arguments from Moses, God replied, “I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt” (Ex 3:17). When the angel of the Lord told Gideon the Lord was with him, Gideon responded, “Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us” (Judges 6:13). The Lord finally responded, “Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man” (Judg 6:16). This kind of reasoning is still one of man’s infirmities – imagining that his personal circumstances will somehow be ignored by God.
HAVE COMPASSION ON US. “Have compassion on us, and help, us!” The man knew he could not provide a meritorious reason for help. It would have to come by compassion, or mercy, or pity, or because Christ felt sympathy for them – both the father and the son.
IT IS NOT IF CHRIST CAN, BUT HE HE CAN
“ 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief.”
IF THOU CANST BELIEVE. The man had said to Jesus, “If You can!” Now, Jesus hurls the words back at him. There are two different ways to read this, and both are true. First, Jesus emphasizes it is not a matter of what HE can do, but what the man can do: “If YOU can.” That is the intent of he words “If YOU can believe.” NKJV The other view is that Jesus is asking the man a question, as though He said, “Did you say ‘If I can?” the NIV reads this way, “If you can?” Another version also reads in the same manner, “What do you mean, 'If I can'?” NLT In either case, the point is what the man can do, which is confirmed in the next clause. That is, the man had come to Jesus, questioning what He was able to do. However, Jesus turned the tables on him, declaring that it was really a matter of what the man was able to do.
ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. Notice how the Savior speaks. He does not say, “All things are possible to Me.” Another place Jesus did say, “with God all things are possible” (Matt 19:26). There, Jesus was speaking about something men could NOT do – under any circumstances. Speaking of being “saved” through human effort alone, Jesus preceded these words by saying, “With men, it is impossible.” But this is not what the Master says here. Instead He speaks of believing, or having faith, as the most productive involvement of men: “all things are possible to him who believes.” NKJV
Jesus does not mean that the person who believes can do anything. He rather means that God can do anything for the person who believes. The New Revised Version captures this sense of the text: “All things can be done for the one who believes.” The Amplified Bible reads, “And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes!”
Of old time Jehosphat knew believing was the issue. He said to Israel, “Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chron 20:20). Elsewhere Jesus said those who “have faith and doubt not” could wither a fig tree and move a mountain. He added, when we ask in prayer believing, “ye shall receive” (Matt 21:21-22). One time, Paul confronted a man who heard him speak, and beheld him steadfastly. He perceived “that he had faith to be healed.” When Paul “said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on thy feet,” the man “leaped and walked” (Acts 14:9-10). All things are possible to the one who believes!
I BELIEVE. The man senses that there is a dimension in believing that he does not possess. He confesses his inclination, and that he has spiritual perception much like the man whose physical sight enabled him to only see “men as trees walking” (Mk 8:24). He really did believe, but it was not a dominating or mature faith. His belief was not sufficient to bring his desire to pass. Just having some faith, therefore, is really not sufficient.
There is a faith that is present only “for a while” (Lk 8:13). It is enough to begin, but not enough to finish. That is why our faith must grow – like that of the Thessalonians, whose faith was one that “groweth exceedingly” (2 Thess 1:3). It is why Paul Prayed that the Ephesians, who were already noted for their faith and love (Eph 1:15), would receive more of both faith and love “from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 6:23). There is such a thing as being “weak in the faith,” that is, unable to discern the scope of truth (Rom 14:1).
Abraham was not “weak in faith,” but was “strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom 4:19-20). This father, although he believed, was not “strong in faith” like Abraham. There was an “if” in his perception of Jesus: “If Thou cast do anything.” However, the man knows what to do.
HELP THOU MINE UNBELIEF. The text states this father “cried out and said with tears.” He caught what Jesus said, and wanted to be among those who met that criterion of believing. He saw that he needed a stronger faith, and thus he sought it from the Lord.
Other versions read, “make my feeble faith stronger,” BBE “Help my lack of faith,” GWN “aid Thou the defect of my faith,” MRD “overcome my unbelief,” NIB and “Help me when I don’t believe enough.” IE His son’s disorder was too challenging for his measure of faith, and so he sought for his condition to be helped. The word “unbelief,” as used in this text is found sixteen times in Scripture (Matt 13:58; 17:20; Mk 6:6; 9:24; 16:14; Rom 3:3; 4:20; 11:20,23,30,32; 1 Tim 1:13; Heb 3:12,19; 4:6,11). In every use of the term, a small measure of faith was presumed. Every case had to do with Jews, who held to a traditional view of God – a kind of creedal faith, if there is such a thing. All of the cases would have confessed belief in God and the acknowledgment of His law. Yet it did not extend far enough because the individuals were drawing back, resisting the forward thrust of faith. In a sense, there is a kind of mystery to this condition. Yet, it can be detected and corrected, as the example before us confirms.
Thus, the man asks for his faith to be strengthened so that he can be strong in it. He sees the disadvantage of being “weak in faith,” and therefore seeks the correction of the condition.