Jesus directly addresses the spirit, labeling it "mute and deaf." This highlights how the demon, not the boy, was truly silenced and unable to hear, emphasizing Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm itself. The added command "never enter him again" shows Jesus' concern for the boy's complete and lasting restoration, not just a temporary fix.
And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just encountered a desperate father whose son is tormented by a demon that leaves him mute and deaf, and throws him into seizures. The disciples, despite their authority, were unable to cast the spirit out, leading to an intense discussion with the scribes who were questioning them. As Jesus begins to address the father's plea and the spiritual battle, a large crowd gathers, drawn by the commotion.
Have you ever felt powerless against a problem? Jesus steps into a chaotic scene and with a single word, the entire situation changes. What does this tell us about His power?
Jesus didn't just ask or suggest; He commanded.
A Word of Authority
When Jesus saw the crowd pressing in and the distressed boy, He didn't hesitate. He spoke directly to the spirit tormenting the child.
"I command you..."
Notice the powerful words: "I command you." This wasn't a polite request; it was a declaration of absolute authority. The spirit had to obey because Jesus, the Creator, was speaking to His creation – even in its fallen, rebellious state.
Divine Power in Action
This isn't just about casting out demons. It reveals Jesus' authority over all of creation, including the forces of evil. He is not pleading; He is declaring. This shows us the immense power available through Him.
Jesus calls the spirit 'mute and deaf.' Why focus on these specific traits? What does this reveal about how evil operates and how Jesus counters it?
Jesus' command highlights the very nature of the evil spirit and its debilitating effect on the boy.
Mute and Deaf
The unclean spirit is called "mute" (unable to speak) and "deaf" (unable to hear). This wasn't just descriptive; it was strategic. The spirit had silenced the boy, cutting him off from communication and from hearing truth.
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Undoing the Damage
By addressing the spirit with these specific terms, Jesus directly confronts the power that had held the boy captive. He commands the spirit to come out, implying the restoration of the boy's ability to speak and hear the truth of God.
The Restorative Power
Jesus' words are not only authoritative but also inherently restorative. He aims to undo the work of the evil spirit, bringing freedom and the ability to engage with the world and God again.
Jesus gives a crucial second part to His command: 'and never enter him again.' Why is this so important, and what does it offer us today?
The command isn't just for immediate relief, but for lasting freedom.
A Final Command
After commanding the spirit to come out, Jesus adds, 'and never enter him again.' This emphasizes the finality and completeness of His deliverance.
Preventing Relapse
For the father, who had likely seen his son suffer for years, this promise offered immense hope. It wasn't just a temporary fix, but a guarantee of permanent freedom from that specific torment.
Our Security in Christ
This aspect of the command speaks to the security we have in Christ. When we surrender to Him, He not only frees us from past bondages but also protects us from their return. His authority provides lasting protection against the schemes of evil.
Understand the original words
akathartos pneuma · Greek Noun phrase
A malevolent spiritual entity that is morally impure and opposed to God. These spirits seek to inhabit humans to exert control, cause suffering, and draw people away from the worship of the one true God.
epitimaō · Greek Verb
A formal, authoritative order. In the Gospels, it is used when Jesus exerts His divine sovereignty and authority over nature, sickness, and demonic powers, compelling them to obey His word.
Iēsous · Greek Noun
The physical embodiment of the Son of God, who possesses full divine authority over the natural and supernatural realms. His actions signify the arrival of the Kingdom of God and His compassion for the suffering.
This event occurs during Jesus' active ministry, immediately following the transfiguration. The context highlights the contrast between heavenly glory and earthly struggles, and the opposition Jesus and his disciples faced from religious authorities.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
During Jesus' public ministry, he traveled throughout Galilee, performing miracles and teaching about the Kingdom of God. This period saw significant crowds gathering around him.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus Transfigures on Mount Hermon
Just before this event, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where he was transfigured and spoke with Moses and Elijah. This event was immediately followed by the healing of the boy.
c. AD 28-30
Disciples Fail to Cast Out Demon
While Jesus was on the mountain, the other nine disciples attempted to cast a demon out of a boy but were unable to do so. This led to a dispute with the scribes who were questioning them.
c. AD 28-30
Scribes Challenge Jesus and His Disciples
The scribes frequently challenged Jesus' authority and the actions of his disciples, often using specific incidents, like the failure to heal the boy, to undermine their credibility.
This passage describes the same event from Matthew's perspective, highlighting Jesus' frustration with the 'faithless and twisted generation' when His disciples fail to heal the boy.
Luke 9:37-42Luke also recounts this incident, focusing on the father's plea and the dramatic, violent expulsion of the spirit, emphasizing Jesus' power over demonic forces.
1 Corinthians 10:13This verse speaks to God's faithfulness in providing a way out of temptation, paralleling Jesus' definitive command to the spirit 'never enter him again,' offering assurance of protection for believers.
James 4:7James' instruction to 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you' echoes the authority Jesus uses in Mark 9:25, showing that resistance based on God's power is effective against evil.
1 Peter 5:8-9This passage warns believers to be alert because the devil prowls like a roaring lion, and it connects to Jesus' command by showing the need to firmly 'resist him, firm in your faith,' which Jesus demonstrated so powerfully.
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…
ellicottMark 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."
(25) When Jesus saw that the people came running together. —This fact and the words of the rebuke to the “deaf and dumb spirit” are found only in St. Mark. Enter no more into him.—We may note in these words, used by our Lord in this case only, a tender adaptation to the weak faith of the father. He…
Jesus directly addresses the spirit, labeling it "mute and deaf." This highlights how the demon, not the boy, was truly silenced and unable to hear, emphasizing Jesus' authority over the spiritual realm itself. The added command "never enter him again" shows Jesus' concern for the boy's complete and lasting restoration, not just a temporary fix.
Jesus has just encountered a desperate father whose son is tormented by a demon that leaves him mute and deaf, and throws him into seizures. The disciples, despite their authority, were unable to cast the spirit out, leading to an intense discussion with the scribes who were questioning them. As Jesus begins to address the father's plea and the spiritual battle, a large crowd gathers, drawn by the commotion.
Jesus has just encountered a desperate father whose son is tormented by a demon that leaves him mute and deaf, and throws him into seizures. The disciples, despite their authority, were unable to cast the spirit out, leading to an intense discussion with the scribes who were questioning them. As Jesus begins to address the father's plea and the spiritual battle, a large crowd gathers, drawn by the commotion.
"And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it…" — Jesus directly addresses the spirit, labeling it "mute and deaf." This highlights how the demon, not the boy, was truly silenced and unable to hear, emphasizing Jesus' authority over the spiritual re…
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Last reviewed October 2026
