Mark 9:29

29 "Only prayer can drive this kind out," answered Jesus; "nothing else can."

Mark 9:29 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 9:29

And he said unto them
Matthew, besides the following reason, assigns another, as given by our Lord, why they could not cast out the foul spirit, which was their unbelief; of which they were guilty in some sort, as well as the Jews, and the father of the child; but Mark omits it, and only relates this as the reason;

this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting;
which they had not observed; (See Gill on Matthew 17:21).

Mark 9:29 In-Context

27 But Jesus took the boy by the hand and helped him rise, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive the spirit out?"

29 "Only prayer can drive this kind out," answered Jesus; "nothing else can."

30 Jesus and his disciples left that place and went on through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where he was,

31 because he was teaching his disciples: "The Son of Man will be handed over to those who will kill him. Three days later, however, he will rise to life."