King James Version

What Does Mark 9:27 Mean?

Mark 9:27 in the King James Version says “But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.” — study this verse from Mark chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.”

Mark 9:27 · KJV

Context

25

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.

26

And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

27

But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

28

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately , Why could not we cast him out?

29

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After the demon's violent exit, the boy 'was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead' (ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε τοὺς πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν). The crowd's conclusion seemed reasonable—the boy lay motionless after violent convulsions. But Jesus 'took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose' (κρατήσας τῆς χειρὸς αὐτοῦ ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη). The verb 'arose' (anestē, ἀνέστη) is the standard resurrection term. Jesus demonstrated authority over death itself—the ultimate enemy. This miracle foreshadows Jesus' resurrection and believers' future resurrection. The boy's restoration was complete—not merely freed from demons but raised to new life. This illustrates gospel transformation: those dead in trespasses and sins are made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The resurrection vocabulary (egeirō and anistēmi) used here appears throughout Mark's passion narrative and resurrection account (Mark 8:31; 9:9, 31; 10:34; 12:26; 14:28; 16:6). Mark deliberately uses this language to connect the boy's restoration to Jesus' resurrection. Ancient witnesses seeing someone rise from apparent death would recognize supernatural intervention. This miracle occurred shortly before Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem (Mark 10:1), serving as prophetic sign of His coming death and resurrection. The pattern—apparent death followed by Jesus' powerful restoration—demonstrated that death cannot hold those Jesus claims. This strengthened disciples' faith for the coming crisis when Jesus Himself would die and rise.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this miracle's resurrection imagery prefigure the gospel pattern of dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ?
  2. What does Jesus' power to raise the apparently dead boy teach about His authority over death and the certainty of future resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
ὁ1 of 11
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 11

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

Ἰησοῦς3 of 11

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

κρατήσας4 of 11

“took”

G2902

to use strength, i.e., seize or retain (literally or figuratively)

αὐτόν,5 of 11

“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

τῆς6 of 11
G3588

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

χειρὸς7 of 11

“by the hand”

G5495

the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by hebraism) a means or instrument)

ἤγειρεν8 of 11

“and lifted”

G1453

to waken (transitively or intransitively), i.e., rouse (literally, from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from

αὐτόν,9 of 11

“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

καὶ10 of 11

“and”

G2532

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

ἀνέστη11 of 11

“he arose”

G450

to stand up (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

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 9:27 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 9:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 3:7Mark 1:31Acts 9:41Mark 5:41Mark 8:23Isaiah 41:13

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