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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Mark 9:21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has this been with him?" "From childhood," he said.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/mark/9-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/41_Mrk_09_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Mark 9:21 - The Boy with an Evil Spirit" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Jesus asked the boy's father, How long has this been with him? From childhood, he said." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/mark/9-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/mark/9-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/mark/">Mark</a> > <a href="/mark/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/mark/9-20.htm" title="Mark 9:20">◄</a> Mark 9:21 <a href="/mark/9-22.htm" title="Mark 9:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/mark/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/mark/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Jesus asked the boy&#8217s father, &#8220How long has he been like this?&#8221 &#8220From childhood,&#8221 he answered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/mark/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/mark/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/mark/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been with him?” “From childhood,” he said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He asked his father, "How long a time is it that this has been with him?" And he said, "From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/mark/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/mark/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/mark/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/mark/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And He asked his father, &#8220How long has this been happening to him?&#8221 And he said, &#8220From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/mark/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/mark/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/mark/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he answered, “Since childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/mark/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“How long has this been happening to him? ” Jesus asked his father. “From childhood,” he said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/mark/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220How long has this been happening to him?&#8221 Jesus asked his father.&#8221 From childhood,&#8221 he said. &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/mark/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/mark/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?" The man answered, "Ever since he was a child. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/mark/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/mark/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jesus asked his father, "How long has he been like this?" The father replied, "He has been this way since he was a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/mark/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"How long has he been like this?" Jesus asked the father. "Ever since he was a child," he replied. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/mark/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He said, "Since he was a child. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/mark/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Jesus asked the boy?s father, ?How long has this been with him?? ?From childhood,? he said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/mark/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/mark/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He asked his father, "How long has it been since this has come to him?" He said, "From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/mark/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he asked his father, How long is it since this came to him? and he said, From a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has he been like this?" "From early childhood," he said;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/mark/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has been happening to him?” He said, “From childhood. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/mark/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He questioned his father, “How much time is it since this came to him?” And he said, “From childhood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/mark/9.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And He asked his father, "How long a time is it that this has been with him?" And he said, "From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/mark/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he questioned his father, 'How long time is it since this came to him?' and he said, 'From childhood,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/mark/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he asked his father, How long is it that this has been to him? And he said, From childhood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/mark/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he asked his father: How long time is it since this hath happened unto him? But he said: From his infancy: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/mark/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” But he said: “From infancy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/mark/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/mark/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/mark/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So Jesus asked his father, How long has he been like this? He said to him, From his childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/mark/9.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />Yeshua asked his father, “How long a time now has he been like this? He said to him, “From his childhood.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/mark/9.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And he asked his father: How long is it since this came upon him? He replied: From childhood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/mark/9.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />And He asked his father, <FR>How long is it since this occurred to him?<Fr> And he said, from childhood:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/mark/9.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And he asked his father, For how long a time hath this been the case with him? And he replied, From his infancy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/mark/9.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Jesus then asked the father, how long is it since this befel him? from his infancy, said the father.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/mark/9.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has he been like this?" "From early childhood," he said;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/mark/9.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />And He asked his father, <FR>"How long a time is it since this has befallen him?"<Fr> And he said, "From a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/mark/9.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />And He asked his father, <FR>How long is it since this befel him?<Fr> And he said, From a child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/mark/9-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DmwDTC71zvQ?start=2874" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/mark/9.htm">The Boy with an Evil Spirit</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>So they brought him, and seeing Jesus, the spirit immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: Kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1905.htm" title="1905: epērōtēsen (V-AIA-3S) -- To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.">Jesus asked</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">the boy’s</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3962.htm" title="3962: patera (N-AMS) -- Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a father.">father,</a> <a href="/greek/4214.htm" title="4214: Posos (IPro-NMS) -- How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).">“How long</a> <a href="/greek/5550.htm" title="5550: chronos (N-NMS) -- A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay."></a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist."></a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner."></a> <a href="/greek/3778.htm" title="3778: touto (DPro-NNS) -- This; he, she, it. ">has this</a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: gegonen (V-RIA-3S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">been</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">with him?” </a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: Ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">“From</a> <a href="/greek/3812.htm" title="3812: paidiothen (Adv) -- From childhood, from early boyhood. Adverb from paidion; from infancy.">childhood,”</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: Ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: eipen (V-AIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">he said.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">22</span>“It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/17-14.htm">Matthew 17:14-18</a></span><br />When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. / “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. / I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/9-37.htm">Luke 9:37-42</a></span><br />The next day, when they came down from the mountain, Jesus was met by a large crowd. / Suddenly a man in the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only child. / A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22-28</a></span><br />And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” / But Jesus did not answer a word. So His disciples came and urged Him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.” / He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-46.htm">John 4:46-54</a></span><br />So once again He came to Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. / When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. / Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-32.htm">Matthew 9:32-33</a></span><br />As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to Jesus. / And when the demon had been driven out, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-14.htm">Luke 11:14</a></span><br />One day Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. And when the demon was gone, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowds were amazed,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-22.htm">Matthew 12:22</a></span><br />Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Acts 16:16-18</a></span><br />One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-27.htm">1 Samuel 1:27</a></span><br />I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-32.htm">2 Kings 4:32-35</a></span><br />When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. / So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. / Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hand to hand. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-2</a></span><br />Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-21.htm">Genesis 25:21</a></span><br />Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Genesis 30:22-23</a></span><br />Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-25.htm">Exodus 23:25-26</a></span><br />So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take away sickness from among you. / No woman in your land will miscarry or be barren; I will fulfill the number of your days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-14.htm">Deuteronomy 7:14-15</a></span><br />You will be blessed above all peoples; among you there will be no barren man or woman or livestock. / And the LORD will remove from you all sickness. He will not lay upon you any of the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all who hate you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came to him? And he said, Of a child.</p><p class="hdg">How.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/5-25.htm">Mark 5:25</a></b></br> And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-7.htm">Job 5:7</a></b></br> Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/14-1.htm">Job 14:1</a></b></br> Man <i>that is</i> born of a woman <i>is</i> of few days, and full of trouble.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/mark/6-15.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-34.htm">Boy's</a> <a href="/mark/7-30.htm">Child</a> <a href="/isaiah/47-15.htm">Childhood</a> <a href="/mark/1-35.htm">Early</a> <a href="/matthew/27-54.htm">Happening</a> <a href="/mark/9-20.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/9-16.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/mark/9-16.htm">Questioning</a> <a href="/mark/8-31.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/luke/1-70.htm">Ago</a> <a href="/mark/9-24.htm">Boy's</a> <a href="/mark/9-24.htm">Child</a> <a href="/2_timothy/3-15.htm">Childhood</a> <a href="/mark/11-20.htm">Early</a> <a href="/mark/11-23.htm">Happening</a> <a href="/mark/9-23.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/mark/10-2.htm">Questioned</a> <a href="/mark/9-28.htm">Questioning</a> <a href="/mark/9-39.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Mark 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/9-1.htm">Jesus is transfigured.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/9-11.htm">He instructs his disciples concerning the coming of Elijah;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/9-14.htm">casts forth a deaf and mute spirit;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/9-30.htm">foretells his death and resurrection;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/9-33.htm">exhorts his disciples to humility;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/9-38.htm">bidding them not to prohibit such as are not against them, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">42. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/mark/9-42.htm">nor to give offense to any of the faithful.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/mark/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/mark/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Jesus asked the boy’s father,</b><br>This phrase highlights Jesus' direct engagement with the boy's father, emphasizing His personal and compassionate approach. In the cultural context of the time, addressing the father would have been significant, as fathers were seen as the primary authority figures in the family. This interaction also demonstrates Jesus' method of involving the family in the healing process, which can be seen in other instances, such as when He healed Jairus' daughter (<a href="/mark/5-22.htm">Mark 5:22-43</a>).<p><b>“How long has this been with him?”</b><br>Jesus' question indicates His desire to understand the full extent of the boy's condition. This approach is consistent with His ministry, where He often sought to reveal deeper truths and address root causes. The question also serves to highlight the chronic nature of the boy's affliction, underscoring the severity of the situation. This mirrors other instances in Scripture where Jesus inquires about a person's condition before performing a miracle, such as with the man at the pool of Bethesda (<a href="/john/5-6.htm">John 5:6</a>).<p><b>“From childhood,” he said.</b><br>The father's response indicates that the boy has been suffering for a significant period, which adds to the miraculous nature of the healing that is about to occur. In biblical times, long-term illnesses were often seen as particularly challenging to cure, and this detail emphasizes the power and authority of Jesus over even the most entrenched conditions. This phrase also evokes compassion, as it highlights the prolonged suffering of the child and the desperation of the father. The mention of "childhood" can be connected to other biblical narratives where children are central to God's work, such as the calling of Samuel (1 Samuel 3) and the prophecy of the suffering servant in <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, which speaks to the innocence and vulnerability of those who suffer.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus.htm">Jesus</a></b><br>The central figure of the New Testament, the Son of God, who performs miracles and teaches about the Kingdom of God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_boy's_father.htm">The Boy's Father</a></b><br>A desperate parent seeking healing for his son, who is possessed by a spirit causing seizures.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_boy.htm">The Boy</a></b><br>A child afflicted by a spirit that causes him to have seizures and other harmful behaviors.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who were unable to cast out the spirit from the boy.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a></b><br>Onlookers who witness the interaction between Jesus, the boy's father, and the disciples.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_faith.htm">The Importance of Faith</a></b><br>Jesus' question to the father highlights the need for faith in the process of healing and deliverance. Faith is not just belief in God's power but trust in His timing and methods.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_persistence_in_prayer.htm">The Role of Persistence in Prayer</a></b><br>The father's continued search for healing for his son demonstrates the importance of persistence in prayer, even when immediate results are not seen.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_warfare.htm">Understanding Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The disciples' inability to cast out the demon reminds us of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for spiritual preparedness and reliance on God's power.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/j/jesus'_compassion_and_authority.htm">Jesus' Compassion and Authority</a></b><br>Jesus' interaction with the father and the boy shows His compassion and authority over evil, encouraging believers to trust in His power to intervene in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_community_of_believers.htm">The Community of Believers</a></b><br>The presence of the disciples and the crowd underscores the role of the faith community in supporting individuals in their struggles and in witnessing God's work.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_mark_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Mark 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_lordship_salvation.htm">What defines the concept of Lordship Salvation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/mark_9_14-29__evidence_of_true_exorcism.htm">Mark 9:14–29 – What proof exists that this exorcism was not merely a medical or psychological case misunderstood by ancient people? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_psalms_are_in_hallel.htm">What did Jesus mean by 'prayer and fasting'?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_doubt.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on doubt?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/mark/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">And he asked his father.</span>--The question, asked as if to bring into strong relief the chronic, and therefore seemingly hopeless, character of the possession, is peculiar to this Gospel, as is the circumstantial account of the falling oft-times "into the fire and into the waters."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/mark/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 21, 22.</span> - Our Lord asks the father, not the sufferer, which in this case would have been useless - he was but a lad, and he was dumb. Our Lord's question<span class="cmt_word">, How long time is it since this hath come unto him?</span> was intended, not of course for his own information, but to inspire the father with hope and confidence. The father briefly answers, <span class="cmt_word">From a child</span>; and then turns to a description of the perils to which his child was continually exposed through these paroxysms. And then, half doubting, half in despair, he says, If thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. It is as though he said, "Thy disciples have failed, perhaps thy power may be greater." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/mark/9-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">[Jesus] asked</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐπηρώτησεν</span> <span class="translit">(epērōtēsen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1905.htm">Strong's 1905: </a> </span><span class="str2">To interrogate, question, demand of. From epi and erotao; to ask for, i.e. Inquire, seek.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[the boy’s]</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(autou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">father,</span><br /><span class="grk">πατέρα</span> <span class="translit">(patera)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3962.htm">Strong's 3962: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“How long</span><br /><span class="grk">Πόσος</span> <span class="translit">(Posos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4214.htm">Strong's 4214: </a> </span><span class="str2">How much, how great, how many. From an absolute pos and hos; interrogative pronoun how much (plural) many).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">{has} this</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῦτο</span> <span class="translit">(touto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">been</span><br /><span class="grk">γέγονεν</span> <span class="translit">(gegonen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> </span><span class="str2">A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with him?”</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτῷ</span> <span class="translit">(autō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“From</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἐκ</span> <span class="translit">(Ek)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> </span><span class="str2">From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">childhood,”</span><br /><span class="grk">παιδιόθεν</span> <span class="translit">(paidiothen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3812.htm">Strong's 3812: </a> </span><span class="str2">From childhood, from early boyhood. Adverb from paidion; from infancy.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he said.</span><br /><span class="grk">εἶπεν</span> <span class="translit">(eipen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> </span><span class="str2">Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/mark/9-21.htm">Mark 9:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/mark/9-21.htm">NT Gospels: Mark 9:21 He asked his father How long has (Mar Mk Mr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/mark/9-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Mark 9:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Mark 9:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/mark/9-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Mark 9:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Mark 9:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>