Mark 9:18

18 And wherever it takes him, it puts him down violently, streaming at the lips and twisted with pain; and his strength goes from him; and I made a request to your disciples to send it out, and they were not able.

Mark 9:18 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 9:18

And wheresoever he taketh him
The spirit, or devil, whether it be near fire, or water, whatsoever danger, or dangerous place:

he teareth him;
or throws him into it, or dashes him against it; or inwardly racks, tortures, and convulses him:

and he foameth;
at the mouth, like one that is mad:

and gnasheth with his teeth;
through the excessive pain he is in:

and pineth away;
his flesh is withered, dried up, and consumed away. This was the sad deplorable case this child was in, who was his father's only child, and therefore his health and life were very desirable: now he further observes to Christ, saying,

and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and
they could not.
Christ being absent, he entreated the disciples, who had power against unclean spirits, to cast them out; that they would make use of it, and dispossess this dumb and evil spirit; and who did make trial to cast him out, but were not able to effect it; (See Gill on Matthew 17:16).

Mark 9:18 In-Context

16 And he said, What are you questioning them about?

17 And one of the number said to him in answer, Master, I came to you with my son, who has in him a spirit which takes away his power of talking;

18 And wherever it takes him, it puts him down violently, streaming at the lips and twisted with pain; and his strength goes from him; and I made a request to your disciples to send it out, and they were not able.

19 And he said to them in answer, O generation without faith, how long will I have to be with you? how long will I put up with you? let him come to me.

20 And they took him to him: and when he saw him, the spirit in him straight away became violent; and he went down on the earth, rolling about and streaming at the lips.