COMMENTARY ON MARK
LESSON NUMBER 99
“ Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 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. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.”
(Mark 9:25-27; Matt 17:18; Luke 9:42-44)
THE BOY WITH AN OPPRESSING SPIRIT #3
INTRODUCTION
Having come down from the mount of transfiguration, Jesus has entered into the trouble zone, where the powers of darkness are at work. On the Mount there were no immediate encounters with the wicked one. It was a time during which the Savior was being strengthened for His mission to lay down His life. For the occasion, the Father had dispatched Moses and Elijah to speak with His Son concerning the death He would “accomplish at Jerusalem” (Lk 9:31). Now, the Lord returns to the battleground in which the devil is boldly working. He confronts a father with an only son who is being dominated by a “dumb spirit.” The circumstance was too much for the nine disciples to handle, and thus the boy has been brought to Jesus Himself. The whole matter was a source of vexation to Jesus – not because of the presence of trouble, but because of unbelief, even after He had been with the people for over two years. Nevertheless, in great compassion He has called for the boy to be brought to Himself. In the process of coming, the demon, in an effort to destroy the boy’s life, throws him to the ground. After speaking with Jesus, the father has cried out acknowledging that he believed, and asking the Lord to help his “unbelief.” It is at this point that our text begins. We will see how Jesus conducts Himself during such an occasion. He is confronting a grieved father, an oppressed boy, nine disciples that have failed, a group of criticizing scribes, an intrigued multitude, and a hostile demon. One of those would have been a sufficient challenge for anyone else. Yet, the Master confirms His superiority by wading into this conglomeration of personalities with the confidence of one who knows, and can do, all things.
JESUS SPEAKS TO THE DEMON
“ Mk 9:25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.”
JESUS SAW THE PEOPLE. What a marvelous picture of the drawing power of the Lord Jesus! Having arrived on this scene of confusion, the people were coming – “running together” to Him. However interesting the discussion was between the scribes and the disciples, it was no longer of any interest to the multitude. They were “running to the scene” NIV of Divine activity. They seemed to sense that something of great magnitude was about to happen. Although this was only in an introductory sense, it speaks clearly of the role of expectation in matters pertaining to Christ. Jesus is not associated with novelty or any form of entertainment. Rather, when perceived in truth, He always relates to spiritually substantive matters – that is, matters related to God’s “eternal purpose” (Eph 3:11).
HE REBUKED THE SPIRIT. “He rebuked the foul spirit.” Other versions read, “unclean spirit,” NKJV and “evil spirit.” NIV The word “foul” means unclean, defiling, and without any relationship to God. Here, it is an adjective describing the kind of spirit with which Jesus was being confronted. This type of spirit is mentioned eleven times in Scripture (Zech 13:2; Matt 12:43; Mk 1:23,26; 3:30; 5:2,8; 7:25; 8:29; 9:42; Lk 11:24). Twice the Greek word is translated “foul spirit” (Mk 9:25; Rev 18:2). These texts associate unclean, or foul spirits with false prophets (Zech 13:2), a wild man, and seizures. Such spirits are associated with chaos and disorder, whether in life or in doctrine. They are the antithesis of God, who is associated with order, purpose, and righteous objectivity.
Now Jesus speaks authoritatively to this spirit, rebuking it. The Lord does not blow words into the air, as false prophets are prone to do. Perhaps you have heard pretentious men rebuking all manners of things, ranging from sickness, to poverty, and to the devil himself. Their words are not generally accompanied with any display of Divine authority. However, this is not the case with Jesus, into whose hand God had committed “all things” (John 3:35).
I CHARGE THEE. “Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee.” Other versions read, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you!” NKJV and “You spirit that keeps this boy from speaking and hearing, I command you!” NRSV Matthew says, “Jesus rebuked the devil” (Matt 17:18).
Notice what we have learned concerning this demon. He is referred to as “a dumb spirit” (Mk 9:17), “a spirit” (Lk 9:38), “foul spirit” (Mk 9:25), “the unclean spirit” (Lk 9:42), “dumb and deaf spirit” (Mk 9:25), and “the demon,” or “devil” (Lk 9:42). Consider the kind of impact this spirit had upon this boy. The man’s son had seizures (Matt 17:15), was sore vexed (Matt 17:15), foamed at the mouth, ground his teeth, became rigid (Mk 9:18), was thrown into both fire and water (Mk 9:22), was seized by the spirit, made to scream, and was mauled (Lk 9:39).
Do you wonder what the dark world of spirits can cause people to do? And do you not know that if Jesus was not governing the world, they would throw humanity into a state of utter and hopeless chaos and disorder. These spirits do not yield to education, human strength, human reasoning, the governments of the world, or false religion.
COME OUT OF HIM. This spirit had dominated the boy since he was an infant. Now, Jesus commands him to
come out of the boy. Will the word of Jesus have effect? Will this malicious spirit yield to Jesus? This spirit was not on the outside of the boy oppressing him, but on the inside of him controlling him. Now he is commanded to leave the domain he has occupied for a long period of time, and to do so immediately.
ENTER NO MORE INTO HIM. Not only is this demon being expelled, he is forbidden to again inhabit the boy: “never enter him again!” NIV Who but Jesus can issue such a word! The disciples later confessed they “could not” cast this demon out (Mk 9:28). Will Jesus be able to do so as “the Son of Man?” The people had wondered about Jesus, marveling that God had “given such power to men” (Matt 9:8). The disciples themselves had earlier said of Him, “What manner of Man is this?” (Mk 4:41). What will this controlling demon do, now that the Christ had spoken to him?
Notice that Jesus did not say this to the boy, but to the spirit that inhabited and controlled him. On the surface, it appeared as though Jesus was talking to the man’s son, for “a spirit hath not flesh and bones,” and therefore cannot be seen (Lk 24:39).
It is a great advantage to men when they realize there is more activity going on in this world than that which is generated by humanity. How poignant the words that rang out of heaven following Satan’s expulsion: “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” (Rev 12:12). Our text took place BEFORE Satan’s expulsion from heaven! It is no wonder that we are admonished, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet 5:8).
WITH ONE MORE EFFORT, THE DEMON COMES OUT
“ 26 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.”
What kind of hatred do the devil and his hosts have for Jesus? They obey him, but do they do so willingly? Our text serves to illuminate us concerning such matters.
THE SPIRIT CRIED. The boy had already been thrown to the ground in a convulsion, and wallowed on the ground foaming (Mk 9:20). Now, however, the “foul spirit” exerts himself more fully to destroy the lad, even though he is on the way out of his former residence. One version reads, “the spirit shrieked.” NIV The word here means to “croak,” – like “the cry of a raven”– a sort of high-pitched screech. I gather the sound was more animalistic than human, and must have been frightening to those mortals who heard it. The demon did not come out without expressing his rebellion against both God and man. There are several instances recorded of demons crying out like this when confronting Jesus (Matt 8:29; Mk 1:23; Lk 4:33; 8:29). The fear and dread of Jesus are found among the powers of darkness, and we do well to reckon on that fact, abiding in Him and maintaining the fellowship with Him into which we have been called. Apart from Jesus, demons have neither a fear of, nor respect for, men.
AND RENT HIM SORE. Luke writes, “And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him” (Luke 9:42). Mark also confirms that this happened while they were bringing the boy to Jesus (Mk 9:20). Now, however, he throws the boy into one convulsion after another, as though making every effort to take his life. Other versions read “convulsed him greatly,” NKJV “throwing him into terrible convulsions,” NASB “convulsed him violently,” NIV “shaking him violently,” BBE and “threw the boy into fit after fit.” WEYMOUTH
How weak we mortals really are, and how foolish it is to boast of natural abilities, whether in the realm of wisdom or strength! Here is a demon in the process of obeying the Lord, exerting itself one last time to do what he could not do all those years from the boy’s infancy to this time. On the surface, it looks as though a battle is going on between Jesus of Nazareth and this “foul spirit.”Some may even have surmised that Jesus was losing the battle at this point, and that the demon would finally fulfill its own will. Men must learn not to assess things according to appearance (John 7:24). What may very well appear to be the throes of death itself, may really be the beginning of joy and freedom!
AND CAME OUT OF HIM. Matthew reads, “And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour” (Matt 17:18). Luke says that Jesus “healed the child” (Lk 9:42). The demon had to yield because Jesus’ word was “with power,” or authority (Lk 4:32). This was not a delegated power, like that of a law officer, to whom men ought to yield. If men do not yield to proper authority, they must be forced to do so – physically made to do what they refuse to do. However, there was no physical restraint here. Jesus only spoke a word to the demon. He did not take hold of the boy and make his body quit convulsing. The word that created the worlds can surely control even demons!
We ought to note that if the Lord ever speaks to a situation, it will be resolved. Thus it is written of the Israelites, “He sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” (Psa 107:20). He did not send an army, but His word! When young Samuel was in the process of coming to know the Lord, Eli instructed him what to say when the Lord called out to him: “thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam 3:9). He did not tell Samuel to say, “Work, Lord, for thy servant is watching!”
David was also aware of this Divine manner, and therefore said, “I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for He will speak peace unto his people” (Psa 85:8). A believing people always place a great emphasis on what God says. An unbelieving people find it quite easy to ignore what He says. This accounts for many of the discouraging circumstances of our time.
AND HE WAS AS ONE DEAD. Other versions read, “he became as one dead,” NKJV “became so much like a corpse,” NASB and “was like a corpse.” NRSV As the spirit exited the boy’s body, it looked as though it had taken his very life. The boy looked like a lifeless corpse – a body that was without a spirit. One version reads, “pale and motionless like a corpse.” AMPLIFIED
MANY SAID, “HE IS DEAD.” Many of the people – the greater part of them – concluded, “He IS dead!” There were no signs of life, no evidence at all. Alas, it appeared as though Jesus was not more powerful than the “foul spirit” that had possessed this boy. When the spirit left the lad, it did not do so visibly. It was not an exit that people could see. Perhaps he was still there, or had left because he finally killed the boy, rather than leaving at the word of the King.
Could it be that there are still people who appear as though they are altogether devoid of life, yet who actually remain within the circumference of life? It certainly is not our business to speculate concerning such things. However, there is a clearly a state that appears to be hopeless– yet is not! In fact, we were all rescued from such a condition – one in which we had “no hope,” and were “without God in the world” (Eph 2:12). However, look at us now!
JESUS LIFTS UP THE BOY
“ 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.”
The involvement of Jesus with those to whom He gives grace is most gratifying to ponder. Notice the very text before us. Jesus told the father if he could believer, “all things” were “possible.” He asked the father concerning the child. He spoke to the oppressing demon, commanding him to leave, and never come back. Now He personally assists the boy to his feet.
JESUS TOOK HIM BY THE HAND. A theorist might see no need for this – taking the boy by the hand. After all, the word of Jesus has power. Why, upon a word from Jesus, cannot the boy get up on his own – leap up and stand on his two feet, thus confirming the power of Jesus? Jesus commanded the demon to leave. Why did He not command the boy to get up? Instead, he takes the boy by the hand. That is the same thing He did when He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead – “he took her by the hand” (Matt 9:25). He did the same thing to Simon’s mother-in-law, when He “took her by the hand” (Mk 1:31). Similarly, before healing a blind man, Jesus “took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town” (Mk 8:23).
The person dominated by a “Law” mentality can see no sense in such a procedure – particularly when Jesus’ word is said to be “with power.” However, for the person who has suffered under the bludgeon of the devil, there is a comfort in the touch of Jesus that none know saving those who have experienced it.
AND LIFTED HIM UP. This was also said of Jesus when He healed Peter’s wife’s mother: He “lifted her up” (Mk 1:31). Neither case suggests that the one healed remained in a weakened state, requiring assistance to get up. This is rather the manner of Divine working. When the disciples went forth into all the world, the Scriptures tell us the Lord was “working with them” (Mk 16:20). Those who preach the Gospel are said to be “workers together with Him” (2 Cor 6:1), and are referred to as “laborers together with God” (1 Cor 3:9). Does this mean their powers combined with God’s power to do the work? Indeed not, it was wholly Divine power that accomplished the work, not Divine power plus human power. In the case of preachers of the Gospel, as well as the example before us, God’s power was given to the individual. In such a case, at least two things are accomplished. First, God receives glory for doing what could not otherwise be accomplished. Secondly, great confidence is realized by the individual.
AND HE AROSE. The boy “got up,” NASB or “stood up.” NIV That is after the demon had thrown him to the ground in repeated convulsions, which ordinarily greatly deplete human strength. He “stood up,” confirming that the demon was powerless to take his life. He did so while holding to the hand of Jesus to substantiate that he did not stand up by his own natural power. Matthew adds, “the child was cured from that very hour” (Matt 17:18).
DELIVERED TO HIS FATHER. Luke says that Jesus “healed the child, and delivered him again to his father” (Luke 9:42). He did not carry the boy to his father, for the boy “stood up.” That confirmed that although the boy had been thrown to the ground, was thrashing about, and foaming at the mouth, he had not been harmed. I take it that this parallels another instance when Jesus confronted a man in the synagogue who also had an “unclean spirit.” When Jesus commanded that spirit to “come out” of the man, the demon threw the man down in the midst of all the people. It is then written that the demon “came out of him, and hurt him not” (Lk 4:35). When Jesus delivered this boy to his father, it was not with broken limbs, a bruised body, or any form of physical impediment – even though the demon desperately sought to do the boy harm. From that day forward, the healing of this boy could only be confirmed by testimony. The evidence of his former affliction was not present.
THE AMAZED MULTITUDE. Luke adds, “And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God” (Lk 9:43). I can tell you that all discussion with the scribes suddenly dried up! Their assessment now appeared as worthless as it was all along. It is still true that when the soul experiences the freedom with which Christ makes us free, all contradicting views about Jesus and His power appear what they are in truth, “dung.” Those whom the Son has made “free indeed” (John 8:36), entertain no interest in the philosophies of religious pretenders.
JESUS SPEAKS TO HIS DISCIPLES. Jesus now turns the attention of His disciples to more important matters. Luke says of this incident, “But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, He said unto His disciples, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men” (Luke 9:44). The truth of the matter was that God had appointed a Person upon whom Satan and his hosts would do their worst. Even “the hands of men” would appear to triumph over Him! That is the singular event upon which the disciples must now fix their attention. It would seem to them to contradict what they had just seen and heard – at least until Jesus was risen from the dead. Luke goes on to say how these words of the Master were received. “But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not: and they feared to ask Him of that saying” (Luke 9:45). And what are you more intent on understanding – the circumstances of men, or the appointments of God?