Mark 9:18

18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes paralyzed. And I told your disciples that they should expel it, and they were not able [to do so].

Mark 9:18 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 9:18

And wheresoever he taketh him
The spirit, or devil, whether it be near fire, or water, whatsoever danger, or dangerous place:

he teareth him;
or throws him into it, or dashes him against it; or inwardly racks, tortures, and convulses him:

and he foameth;
at the mouth, like one that is mad:

and gnasheth with his teeth;
through the excessive pain he is in:

and pineth away;
his flesh is withered, dried up, and consumed away. This was the sad deplorable case this child was in, who was his father's only child, and therefore his health and life were very desirable: now he further observes to Christ, saying,

and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out, and
they could not.
Christ being absent, he entreated the disciples, who had power against unclean spirits, to cast them out; that they would make use of it, and dispossess this dumb and evil spirit; and who did make trial to cast him out, but were not able to effect it; (See Gill on Matthew 17:16).

Mark 9:18 In-Context

16 And he asked them, "What are you arguing [about] with them?"

17 And one [individual] from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought to you my son who has {a spirit that makes him mute}.

18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes paralyzed. And I told your disciples that they should expel it, and they were not able [to do so].

19 And he answered them [and] said, "O unbelieving generation! {How long} will I be with you? {How long} must I put up with you? Bring him to me!"

20 And they brought him to him. And [when he] saw him, the spirit immediately convulsed him, and falling on the ground, he began to roll around, foaming at the mouth.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "the"; the Greek article is used here as a possessive pronoun
• [b]. *The words "[to do so]" are not in the Greek text but are implied