Mark 9:29

29 "An evil spirit of this kind," He answered, "can only be driven out by prayer."

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 his hand and raised him up, and he stood on his feet.

28 After the return of Jesus to the house His disciples asked Him privately, "How is it that we could not expel the spirit?"

29 "An evil spirit of this kind," He answered, "can only be driven out by prayer."

30 Departing thence they passed through Galilee, and He was unwilling that any one should know it;

31 for He was teaching His disciples, and telling them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will put Him to death; and after being put to death, in three days He will rise to life again."