Mark 9:21

21 et frequenter eum et in ignem et in aquas misit ut eum perderet sed si quid potes adiuva nos misertus nostri

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 et adtulerunt eum et cum vidisset illum statim spiritus conturbavit eum et elisus in terram volutabatur spumans
20 et interrogavit patrem eius quantum temporis est ex quo hoc ei accidit at ille ait ab infantia
21 et frequenter eum et in ignem et in aquas misit ut eum perderet sed si quid potes adiuva nos misertus nostri
22 Iesus autem ait illi si potes credere omnia possibilia credenti
23 et continuo exclamans pater pueri cum lacrimis aiebat credo adiuva incredulitatem meam
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.