King James Version

What Does Mark 9:18 Mean?

Mark 9:18 in the King James Version says “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake... — study this verse from Mark chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. teareth: or, dasheth him

Mark 9:18 · KJV


Context

16

And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? with them: or, among yourselves

17

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

18

And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. teareth: or, dasheth him

19

He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.

20

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The father describes his son's condition: 'wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away' (ὅπου ἐὰν αὐτὸν καταλάβῃ, ῥήσσει αὐτόν, καὶ ἀφρίζει καὶ τρίζει τοὺς ὀδόντας). The violent symptoms—tearing (rhēssei, ῥήσσει), foaming (aphrizei, ἀφρίζει), gnashing teeth (trizei, τρίζει), and wasting away (xērainetai, ξηραίνεται)—describe severe demonic torment. The demon's goal is destruction (v. 22 states it tried to kill the boy). This illustrates Satan's character as thief who comes 'to steal, and to kill, and to destroy' (John 10:10). The father adds, 'I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not' (εἶπα τοῖς μαθηταῖς σου ἵνα αὐτὸ ἐκβάλωσιν, καὶ οὐκ ἴσχυσαν). The disciples' inability (ouk ischysan, οὐκ ἴσχυσαν, 'they had no strength') reveals spiritual powerlessness when faith and prayer are lacking (v. 29).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The symptoms described—seizures, foaming, rigidity—resemble epilepsy, leading some modern interpreters to naturalize the account. However, Mark clearly attributes the condition to demonic agency (vv. 17, 20, 25). Biblical worldview doesn't deny physical causes but recognizes spiritual warfare as reality. The disciples had successfully cast out demons earlier (Mark 6:13), making their failure here surprising. Jesus later explains that 'this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting' (v. 29), indicating different levels of demonic opposition requiring deeper spiritual discipline. The father's disappointment at the disciples' failure mirrors human disappointment when Christian ministry appears powerless.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the demon's destructive intent illustrate Satan's character and ultimate goal toward humanity?
  2. What does the disciples' inability despite previous success teach about the necessity of ongoing spiritual discipline and dependence on God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
καὶ1 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὅπου2 of 27

wheresoever

G3699

what(-ever) where, i.e., at whichever spot

ἂν3 of 27
G302

whatsoever

αὐτὸ4 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καταλάβῃ5 of 27

he taketh

G2638

to take eagerly, i.e., seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively)

ῥήσσει6 of 27

he teareth

G4486

to "break," "wreck" or "crack", i.e., (especially) to sunder (by separation of the parts; g2608 being its intensive (with the preposition in compositi

αὐτὸ7 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ8 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἀφρίζει9 of 27

he foameth

G875

to froth at the mouth (in epilepsy)

καὶ10 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τρίζει11 of 27

gnasheth

G5149

to creak (squeak), i.e., (by analogy) to grate the teeth (in frenzy)

τοὺς12 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀδόντας13 of 27

teeth

G3599

a "tooth"

αὐτὸ14 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ15 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ξηραίνεται·16 of 27

pineth away

G3583

to desiccate; by implication, to shrivel, to mature

καὶ17 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εἶπον18 of 27

I spake

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

τοῖς19 of 27
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μαθηταῖς20 of 27

disciples

G3101

a learner, i.e., pupil

σου21 of 27

to thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ἵνα22 of 27

that

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

αὐτὸ23 of 27

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἐκβάλωσιν24 of 27

out

G1544

to eject (literally or figuratively)

καὶ25 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκ26 of 27

not

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἴσχυσαν27 of 27

they could

G2480

to have (or exercise) force (literally or figuratively)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 9:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 9:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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