Mark 9:20

20 And they brought him unto him; and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground and wallowed 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 he takes him, he tears him, and he foams and gnashes with his teeth and pines away; and I spoke to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and they could not.

19 Answering, he said unto him, O unfaithful generation, how long shall I be with you? How long must I suffer you? Bring him unto me.

20 And they brought him unto him; and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tore him; and he fell on the ground and wallowed foaming.

21 And Jesus asked his father, How long ago is it since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

22 And ofttimes it has cast him into the fire and into the waters to kill him, but if thou canst do any thing, help us, having mercy on us.