Mark 9:20

20 and they brought him unto him, and he having seen him, immediately the spirit tare him, and he, having fallen upon the earth, was wallowing -- foaming.

Mark 9:20 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 9:20

And they brought him unto him
The father of the child, and those that were with him, brought the child to Jesus, into his presence, before him:

and when he saw him,
that is, either when Jesus saw the child, or the child saw Jesus; or the evil spirit in him, and by him which were all at once:

straightway the spirit tare him;
threw him into a violent fit, shook him, and convulsed him in a dreadful manner; knowing his time was short, and being filled with indignation and rage, that he should be obliged, as he knew he must, to leave the child very speedily; and was therefore resolved to do all the mischief, and put him to all the pain he could:

and he fell on the ground;
at the feet of Jesus, not being able to stand, through the violent motions and convulsions he threw him into:

and wallowed, foaming;
rolled about from side to side, foaming at the mouth, and in the most exquisite rack and torture.

Mark 9:20 In-Context

18 and wherever it doth seize him, it doth tear him, and he foameth, and gnasheth his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples that they may cast it out, and they were not able.'

19 And he answering him, said, `O generation unbelieving, till when shall I be with you? till when shall I suffer you? bring him unto me;'

20 and they brought him unto him, and he having seen him, immediately the spirit tare him, and he, having fallen upon the earth, was wallowing -- foaming.

21 And he questioned his father, `How long time is it since this came to him?' and he said, `From childhood,

22 and many times also it cast him into fire, and into water, that it might destroy him; but if thou art able to do anything, help us, having compassion on us.'