Mark 9:14–28

Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit

¹⁴When they joined the rest of the disciples, they saw a large crowd round them and some teachers of the Law arguing with them. ¹⁵When the people saw Jesus, they were greatly surprised, and ran to him and greeted him. ¹⁶Jesus asked his disciples, “What are you arguing with them about?”

¹⁷A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, because he has an evil spirit in him and cannot talk. ¹⁸Whenever the spirit attacks him, it throws him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth, grits his teeth, and becomes stiff all over. I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not.”

¹⁹Jesus said to them, “How unbelieving you people are! How long must I stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy to me!” ²⁰They brought him to Jesus.

As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a fit, so that he fell on the ground and rolled round, foaming at the mouth. ²¹“How long has he been like this?” Jesus asked the father.

“Ever since he was a child,” he replied. ²²“Many times the evil spirit has tried to kill him by throwing him in the fire and into water. Have pity on us and help us, if you possibly can!”

²³“Yes,” said Jesus, “if you yourself can! Everything is possible for the person who has faith.”

²⁴The father at once cried out, “I do have faith, but not enough. Help me to have more!”

²⁵Jesus noticed that the crowd was closing in on them, so he gave a command to the evil spirit. “Deaf and dumb spirit,” he said, “I order you to come out of the boy and never go into him again!”

²⁶The spirit screamed, threw the boy into a bad fit, and came out. The boy looked like a corpse, and everyone said, “He is dead!” ²⁷But Jesus took the boy by the hand and helped him to rise, and he stood up.

²⁸After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive the spirit out?”