Mark 9:21

21 Yeshua asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to him?" "Ever since childhood," he said;

Mark 9:21 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 9:21

And he asked his father
As he lay rolling about in this miserable condition, that the length and stubbornness of his disorder might be known, and so the cure the more remarkable, and appear the more expressive of his divine power and goodness:

how long is it ago since this came unto him?
since this evil spirit entered into him, and these disorders have attended him?

and he said of a child;
or "from his infancy"; so that it was not for any actual sin that he had committed, that this sore affiction came upon him; and yet he could not be without sin, since it was not agreeable to the justice, mercy, and goodness of God, to afflict, or suffer to be afflicted, one that is innocent; and therefore must be tainted with original sin, which is the source and spring of all afflictions, calamities and judgments.

Mark 9:21 In-Context

19 "People without any trust!" he responded. "How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me!"

20 They brought the boy to him; and as soon as the spirit saw him, it threw the boy into a convulsion.

21 Yeshua asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to him?" "Ever since childhood," he said;

22 "and it often tries to kill him by throwing him into the fire or into the water. But if you can do anything, have pity on us and help us!"

23 Yeshua said to him, "What do you mean, `if you can'? Everything is possible to someone who has trust!"