The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:18

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

Wheresoever it taketh him ( καταλάβη); literally, it seizeth hold of him. This is the Greek word from which comes our "catalepsy," the active form of "epilepsy." It teareth him ( ῥήσσει). This is doubtless the literal meaning.

But there is much evidence to show that it means hero "it striketh or throweth him down." This is the reudering of the Peshito Syriac, and of the Vulgate. The same interpretation is also given by Hesychius as one of the meanings of the word.

St. Luke (Luke 9:39) describes the symptoms thus: "A spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out, and it teareth him ( σπαράσσει αὐτὸν) that he foameth ( μετὰ ἀφροῦ), and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely."

This it will be remembered is the record of one who was himself a physician. He grindeth his teeth, and pineth away ( ξηραίνεται), as though the springs of his life were dried up. The father of the boy is here minutely describing the symptoms when the fit was upon him.

He seems here to express the stiffness and rigidity of the body in the approaches of the malady. And I spake to thy disciples that they should cast it out; and they were not able. They had tried and failed.

This failure is attributed by our Lord (see Matthew 17:20) to their want of faith; or rather to their "little faith ( διὰ τὴν ὀλιγοπιστίαν ὑμῶν)."

More for Mark 9:18

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:1-50Mark 9:1-50 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:2-18Mark 9:2-18 · The Pulpit CommentaryGlimpses of the glory of Jesus. I. SPECIAL FAVOURS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES. The three disciples had given up all to follow Christ, had submitted them. selves entirely to the Divine will. Only to such consecration is the de…Matthew Henry on Mark 9:14-29Mark 9:14-29 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe father of the suffering youth reflected on the want of power in the disciples; but Christ will have him reckon the disappointment to the want of faith. Very much is promised to our believing. If thou canst believe,…The Expulsion of an Evil SpiritMark 9:14-29 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleTHE EXPULSION OF AN EVIL SPIRIT. We have here the story of Christ casting the devil out of a child, somewhat more fully related than it was in Matthew 17:14, &c. Observe here, I. Christ's return to his disciples, and th…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:14-29Mark 9:14-29 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe demoniac. I. WANT OF SPIRITUAL POWER IS CAUSED BY WANT OF FAITH. Faith is a mighty word in the gospel. It really includes all the energies of knowing, feeling, and willing; it is the entire affirmation of the man in…The Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:14-29Mark 9:14-29 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe lunatic boy. In Raphael's picture of the Transfiguration, which has often been called the greatest of all paintings, the foreground is occupied by a vivid representation of this marvellous miracle wrought by our Lor…

commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:1-50EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:2-18Glimpses of the glory of Jesus. I. SPECIAL FAVOURS FOR SPECIAL SERVICES. The three disciples had given up all to follow Christ, had submitted them. selves entirely to the Divine will. Only to such consecration is the de…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Mark 9:14-29The father of the suffering youth reflected on the want of power in the disciples; but Christ will have him reckon the disappointment to the want of faith. Very much is promised to our believing. If thou canst believe,…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Expulsion of an Evil SpiritTHE EXPULSION OF AN EVIL SPIRIT. We have here the story of Christ casting the devil out of a child, somewhat more fully related than it was in Matthew 17:14, &c. Observe here, I. Christ's return to his disciples, and th…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:14-29Parallel passages: Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:37-43 Healing of a demoniac youth, after the disciples' failure. I. S TRIKING CONTRAST. We can scarcely imagine a greater contrast than that which is here presented between th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:14-29The demoniac. I. WANT OF SPIRITUAL POWER IS CAUSED BY WANT OF FAITH. Faith is a mighty word in the gospel. It really includes all the energies of knowing, feeling, and willing; it is the entire affirmation of the man in…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:14-29The lunatic boy. In Raphael's picture of the Transfiguration, which has often been called the greatest of all paintings, the foreground is occupied by a vivid representation of this marvellous miracle wrought by our Lor…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Mark 9:14-29The cure of the demoniac child. This stands out in striking contrast with the halcyon hour on the mountain with which the three had been favored. Their brethren were experiencing a greater difficulty than they had ever…Joseph S. Exell and contributors