And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples' question isn't just about why they failed, but hints at a sense of bewilderment and even complaint, as if their given authority should have guaranteed success. Jesus' response shifts the focus from the demon to their own spiritual state, highlighting that this particular "kind" of difficulty wasn't overcome by simply wielding power, but by a deeper reliance on God through prayer.
And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh from the glory of the Transfiguration, Jesus and his closest disciples rejoin the others to find a scene of chaos: a scribes' debate with the nine disciples, a desperate father with his demon-possessed son, and the disciples' utter failure to cast out the evil spirit. Once inside the house and away from the crowd, the disciples, perplexed and likely embarrassed by their inability to perform the very task Jesus had empowered them to do, privately ask him why they failed.
They had been given authority. They had seen Jesus cast out demons before. So why did this one get away?
Imagine the scene: Jesus returns from the glorious mountaintop experience, only to find His other disciples struggling, challenged by the scribes, and unable to help a desperate father and his afflicted son. This was a stark contrast to the power they had been given. In their private moment with Jesus, their question, 'Why could we not cast it out?' isn't just about a single failure. It's a cry of perplexity and even frustration, a sign that their understanding of spiritual power and their own dependence on Jesus was still developing.
Jesus' answer points to a deeper issue than just a difficult demon. What was missing in the disciples' approach?
Jesus' response cuts straight to the heart of the matter: unbelief. He explains that 'this kind' of demon doesn't yield easily and requires something more. While the text mentions 'prayer and fasting' as the key, the underlying issue is a lack of faith that is nurtured by consistent prayer. Their reliance had shifted from direct dependence on Jesus to their own given authority, and in that moment, their faith faltered. Genuine spiritual power isn't just about a formula or a gift; it's about a living connection with God, fueled by prayer and trust.
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ekballō · Greek Verb
The act of forcing a demonic spirit to depart from a person or location by the exercise of divine authority. It demonstrates the supremacy of God's kingdom over the realm of darkness.
proseuchē · Greek Noun
A spiritual discipline involving direct address to God, characterized by humility, dependence, and reliance upon His power rather than human effort. It is the primary means by which the believer aligns their will with God's and accesses His divine intervention.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A follower or learner of Jesus, specifically one who is called to walk in His ways, adopt His teachings, and participate in His mission. In the Gospels, this term often highlights the struggle to grasp the full nature of Christ's authority and suffering.
The disciples' inability to cast out the demon wasn't just a momentary lapse; it occurred after Jesus had explicitly given them authority. Their failure highlights a critical moment where their commission clashed with their spiritual preparedness, revealing a deeper need for prayer and reliance on God.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus commissions the Twelve
Jesus grants His twelve closest disciples authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to heal every disease, sending them on a mission throughout Israel.
c. AD 28
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, revealing His divine glory. The event concludes, and they descend the mountain, rejoining the other disciples.
c. AD 28— this verse
Disciples fail to heal demon-possessed boy
While Jesus is on the mountain, the other nine disciples are unable to cast a demon out of a boy, leading to an argument with the scribes.
c. AD 28
Jesus heals the boy and explains disciples' failure
Jesus returns, heals the boy, and privately explains to His disciples that their failure was due to a lack of faith and prayer.
c. AD 29
Jesus predicts His death and resurrection
Jesus explicitly tells His disciples for the second time that He will be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day, though they do not understand.
c. AD 29
Disciples dispute about who is greatest
On their journey, the disciples argue among themselves about who is the greatest, prompting Jesus to teach them about humility and service.
This passage, a parallel account, directly addresses the disciples' question about their inability to cast out the demon, with Jesus attributing their failure to a lack of faith.
Luke 9:40Similar to Mark 9:28, this verse records the disciples' plea to Jesus regarding their failure, highlighting the helplessness they felt when confronted with this particular spiritual oppression.
1 Corinthians 12:10While not about casting out demons specifically, this passage lists 'gifts of healing' and 'working of miracles' as spiritual gifts, providing context for the disciples' expectation of power and their confusion when it failed.
Romans 8:15This verse speaks of receiving the 'Spirit of adoption' that enables us to cry 'Abba! Father!', paralleling the disciples' need for a deeper reliance on God's power, which is often accessed through prayer and dependence, rather than their own strength.
Galatians 5:22The description of the fruit of the Spirit, including 'faith' and 'self-control,' offers insight into the character and spiritual disciplines that empower believers, indirectly explaining why the disciples' lack in these areas might have hindered their ability to cast out the demon.
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…
expositorsMark 9:28-37: "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?"
CHAPTER 9:28-37 (Mark 9:28-37)JESUS AND THE DISCIPLES "And when He was come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, saying, We could not cast it out. And He said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer. And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and He would not that any man should know it. For He taught His disciples, and said…
The disciples' question isn't just about why they failed, but hints at a sense of bewilderment and even complaint, as if their given authority should have guaranteed success. Jesus' response shifts the focus from the demon to their own spiritual state, highlighting that this particular "kind" of difficulty wasn't overcome by simply wielding power, but by a deeper reliance on God through prayer.
Fresh from the glory of the Transfiguration, Jesus and his closest disciples rejoin the others to find a scene of chaos: a scribes' debate with the nine disciples, a desperate father with his demon-possessed son, and the disciples' utter failure to cast out the evil spirit. Once inside the house and away from the crowd, the disciples, perplexed and likely embarrassed by their inability to perform the very task Jesus had empowered them to do, privately ask him why they failed.
Fresh from the glory of the Transfiguration, Jesus and his closest disciples rejoin the others to find a scene of chaos: a scribes' debate with the nine disciples, a desperate father with his demon-possessed son, and the disciples' utter failure to cast out the evil spirit. Once inside the house and away from the crowd, the disciples, perplexed and likely embarrassed by their inability to perform the very task Jesus had empowered them to do, privately ask him why they failed.
"And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”" — The disciples' question isn't just about why they failed, but hints at a sense of bewilderment and even complaint, as if their given authority should have guaranteed success. Jesus' response shifts…
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Last reviewed October 2026