And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The word Luke uses for the spirit "seizing" the boy, which he also uses for medical conditions, highlights the brutal, involuntary nature of the attack, emphasizing how the demonic force acted like a sudden, violent disease. This detail, unusual for a historical account, underscores the profound physical torment and the sheer helplessness of the afflicted.
And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just returned from a transfiguration experience with three disciples, encountering a crowd and a frantic father whose son is afflicted by a violent spirit. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon, leading to a public dispute with the scribes, which likely fueled Jesus' frustration with the "unbelieving and perverse nation" he addressed. This verse vividly describes the sudden, agonizing seizure the boy experiences, highlighting the destructive power of the spirit that Jesus is about to confront.
This verse paints a harrowing picture of a boy's struggle. It's not a gentle illness, but a violent seizure. What does this tell us about the nature of the affliction?
Luke, a physician, uses vivid language to describe the immediate and destructive impact of the spirit. The word 'seizes' (λαμβάνει) implies a sudden, forceful taking over, and 'teareth him' (συντρίβον) speaks to the physical and emotional destruction it inflicts.
A Violent Onset
The details are stark: foaming at the mouth, being torn apart. This isn't just internal torment; it's visibly devastating. What does this intense physical reaction signify?
Luke's medical background shines through as he describes the boy's outward suffering. These are not mere symptoms of illness, but the outward evidence of an inward, spiritual invasion.
Ask a follow-up
Visible Torment
Understand the original words
pneuma · Greek Noun
A supernatural being, often used in scripture to refer to demonic entities or unclean spirits that possess or influence human beings, acting in opposition to God's kingdom.
lambanei · Greek Verb
A strong verb often used in the Gospels to describe the violent, forceful action of demonic entities upon a victim, signifying a lack of control and hostile takeover.
This passage takes place during Jesus' Galilean ministry, highlighting a specific instance after the transfiguration where His disciples' inability to heal contrasts with Jesus' immediate power over demonic forces, revealing the intensity of the spiritual battle and the need for faith.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus ministry begins
Jesus begins his public ministry in Galilee, gathering disciples and performing miracles.
c. AD 30
Disciples attempt healing
Jesus sends out his twelve disciples to preach and heal, but they are unable to cast out a demon from a boy.
c. AD 30
Transfiguration on the mountain
Jesus is transfigured on a mountain with Peter, James, and John, after which they descend.
c. AD 30— this verse
Demon-possessed boy seized
Upon descending from the mountain, Jesus encounters a crowd and a father desperate for his son to be healed from a severe affliction caused by an evil spirit.
c. AD 30
Jesus heals the boy
Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, heals the boy instantly, and restores him to his father, astonishing the onlookers.
This passage describes a similar affliction where a 'spirit' seizes a child, causing them to cry out, foam at the mouth, and be thrashed, highlighting the violent nature of demonic influence.
Matthew 17:15This parallel account uses the term 'lunatic' but also describes severe seizures, convulsions, and suffering, emphasizing the distressing physical and mental torment caused by the affliction.
Luke 4:33-35Here, Jesus encounters a man with a 'spirit of an unclean demon' that throws him into convulsions and causes him to cry out, showcasing Jesus' authority over such powerful demonic forces.
Acts 19:15-16This passage illustrates the extreme violence and harm that can be inflicted by evil spirits, as seen when they overpower and injure the sons of Sceva, demonstrating their potent and destructive nature.
vincentLuke 9:39: "And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him."
Taketh (λαμβάνει)See on Mark 9:18.Suddenly (ἐξαίφνης)Used only once outside of the writings of Luke: Mark 13:36. Naturally, frequent in medical writers, of sudden attacks of disease. Luke has more medical details in his account than the other evangelists. He mentions the sudden coming on of the fits, and their lasting a long time. Mr. Ho…
gillLuke 9:39: "And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him."
And, lo, a spirit taketh him,.... An evil spirit, the devil, as in Luke 9:42 seizes and possesses him at once, and he suddenly crieth out; in a most terrible manner, giving dreadful shrieks, as soon as he perceives that he is seized by the demon: and it teareth him, that he foameth again; throws him into convulsions, so that he foams at the…
The word Luke uses for the spirit "seizing" the boy, which he also uses for medical conditions, highlights the brutal, involuntary nature of the attack, emphasizing how the demonic force acted like a sudden, violent disease. This detail, unusual for a historical account, underscores the profound physical torment and the sheer helplessness of the afflicted.
Jesus has just returned from a transfiguration experience with three disciples, encountering a crowd and a frantic father whose son is afflicted by a violent spirit. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon, leading to a public dispute with the scribes, which likely fueled Jesus' frustration with the "unbelieving and perverse nation" he addressed. This verse vividly describes the sudden, agonizing seizure the boy experiences, highlighting the destructive power of the spirit that Jesus is about to confront.
Jesus has just returned from a transfiguration experience with three disciples, encountering a crowd and a frantic father whose son is afflicted by a violent spirit. The disciples were unable to cast out the demon, leading to a public dispute with the scribes, which likely fueled Jesus' frustration with the "unbelieving and perverse nation" he addressed. This verse vividly describes the sudden, agonizing seizure the boy experiences, highlighting the destructive power of the spirit that Jesus is about to confront.
"And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him." — The word Luke uses for the spirit "seizing" the boy, which he also uses for medical conditions, highlights the brutal, involuntary nature of the attack, emphasizing how the demonic force acted like a…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026