Mark 9:28

28 And when he had gone into the house, his disciples said to him privately, Why were we unable to send it out?

Mark 9:28 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 9:28

And when he was come into the house
Perhaps into the man's house whose child he had healed, or into some other in these parts, for the sake both of retirement and refreshment:

his disciples asked him privately, why could not we cast him out?
The nine disciples, who were particularly concerned in this matter, fearing they had lost the power of casting out devils, conferred upon them, inquired of Jesus, when he was alone, why they could not cast the demon out of the child, when they had ejected unclean spirits out of many others; (See Gill on Matthew 17:19).

Mark 9:28 In-Context

26 And after crying out and shaking him violently, it came out: and the child became like one dead; so that most of them said, He is dead.

27 But Jesus took him by the hand, lifting him up; and he got up.

28 And when he had gone into the house, his disciples said to him privately, Why were we unable to send it out?

29 And he said to them, Nothing will make this sort come out but prayer.

30 And they went out from there, through Galilee; and it was his desire that no man might have knowledge of it;