Mark 9:21

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”“From childhood,” he answered.

Mark 9:21 in Other Translations

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

21 And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.

21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy.

21 He asked the boy's father, "How long has this been going on?"

21 "How long has this been happening to him?" Jesus asked his father. "From 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 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”“From childhood,” he answered.

22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”