The father refers to the spirit as "dumb," but Jesus later calls it "deaf and dumb." This distinction highlights that the spirit's power wasn't just silencing the boy, but also severing his connection to both speaking and hearing divine instruction or even human pleas.
And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just returned from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples in a tense confrontation with scribes, surrounded by a worried crowd. A father steps forward, desperate because his son is afflicted by a spirit that renders him mute, and explains that even Jesus' disciples were unable to help.
In the midst of a chaotic scene, a desperate father steps forward. His words reveal not just a son's suffering, but his own deep struggle.
This father's encounter with Jesus is colored by the recent failure of the disciples. He addresses Jesus as 'Teacher,' a title that, while respectful, carries a hint of doubt given the disciples' inability to help. His plea, 'if You can do anything,' reveals a heart wrestling with the very power he's seeking. He's seen his son tormented, likely fearing for his life, and now faces the sting of the disciples' failure, which makes him question Jesus's ability.
This isn't just about a physical ailment; it's about a spiritual battle where even those closest to Jesus stumble. The father's words expose the tension between his desperate hope and his wavering belief, a struggle many of us know.
The 'dumb spirit' wasn't just about a lack of speech. It speaks volumes about the enemy's tactics and the unique nature of this oppression.
The description of the spirit as 'dumb' (mute) is specific and significant. It points to a spirit that not only caused the boy to be speechless but also deaf. This isn't merely a physical ailment but a spiritual attack designed to isolate and oppress.
The commentary notes that the spirit's actions were designed to destroy the boy, leading him to fall into fire and water. This highlights the malicious intent behind the possession. The silence imposed by the spirit is a form of control, cutting the boy off from communication and potentially from seeking help or expressing his own needs.
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didaskalos · Greek Noun
An authoritative instructor, specifically one recognized for teaching the Law and wisdom, often used as a title for Jesus by those who respected his authority.
pneuma · Greek Noun
In a biblical context, this refers to a demonic entity or an unclean spirit that possesses or oppresses a person, causing physical or mental affliction.
alalos · Greek Adjective
The inability to speak, often portrayed in the Gospels as a result of demonic influence, symbolizing the silencing of the human voice or a blockage in relationship with God.
katalambanō · Greek Verb
To take possession of forcibly or suddenly, often used regarding demonic spirits overpowering a human being to exercise control over their body.
ekballō · Greek Verb
To expel or drive out, particularly used in the Gospels for the authoritative act of removing demonic spirits from people by the power of God.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Fame
Jesus' public ministry gained significant momentum, drawing large crowds and attracting the attention of religious authorities. His healing miracles, including exorcisms, were becoming widely known.
Early 1st century AD
Disciples' Attempted Exorcism
Jesus' disciples, empowered by Him, attempted to cast out a demon from a boy but were unsuccessful, a rare failure that drew the attention and criticism of the scribes.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus Returns and Encounters Crowd and Scribes
Upon returning, Jesus found his disciples surrounded by a crowd, with scribes challenging them over their inability to heal the boy, creating a tense situation.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus Heals the Boy
Jesus confronts the demon, rebukes the 'faithless generation,' and dramatically heals the boy, restoring him to his father.
Early 1st century AD
Disciples Question Jesus Privately
Later, the disciples privately ask Jesus why they were unable to cast out the demon, leading to His teaching on the power of prayer.
This passage describes the same event, highlighting the father's plea and Jesus' immediate healing of the boy, emphasizing the contrast between the disciples' failure and Jesus' power.
Luke 9:38-42Luke's account adds that the boy was the father's 'only son' and emphasizes the violent nature of the spirit's attack, showing the depth of the father's desperation.
1 Samuel 16:14-16This passage illustrates a similar theme of an 'evil spirit' troubling someone, leading to distress and disruptive behavior, underscoring the spiritual nature of afflictions.
2 Kings 4:18-20Here, a child dies and is miraculously restored to life by Elijah, paralleling the intensity of the affliction in Mark and showing God's power over life and death.
Acts 19:11-12This shows that God worked extraordinary miracles through Paul, even allowing handkerchiefs and aprons to carry away sicknesses and evil spirits, suggesting a broader pattern of divine intervention against demonic forces.
bengelMark 9:17: "And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;"
Mark 9:17 . Εἷς , one ) Neither the Scribes nor the disciples were venturing to speak.
expositorsMark 9:14-29: "And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them."
CHAPTER 9:14-29 (Mark 9:14-29)THE DEMONIAC BOY "And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the multitude, when they saw Him, were greatly amazed, and running to Him saluted Him. And He asked them, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered Him, Master, I brought un…
The father refers to the spirit as "dumb," but Jesus later calls it "deaf and dumb." This distinction highlights that the spirit's power wasn't just silencing the boy, but also severing his connection to both speaking and hearing divine instruction or even human pleas.
Jesus has just returned from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples in a tense confrontation with scribes, surrounded by a worried crowd. A father steps forward, desperate because his son is afflicted by a spirit that renders him mute, and explains that even Jesus' disciples were unable to help.
Jesus has just returned from the Mount of Transfiguration to find His disciples in a tense confrontation with scribes, surrounded by a worried crowd. A father steps forward, desperate because his son is afflicted by a spirit that renders him mute, and explains that even Jesus' disciples were unable to help.
"And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disci…" — The father refers to the spirit as "dumb," but Jesus later calls it "deaf and dumb." This distinction highlights that the spirit's power wasn't just silencing the boy, but also severing his connectio…
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Last reviewed October 2026
