This is an IMPERFECT tense, which can mean (1) the beginning of an action (cf. NASB) or (2) a repeated action in past time. This crowd was excited to see Jesus and one after another ran up and greeted Him. 9:16 “What are you discussing with them” Jesus addresses this question to the crowd. The scribes were not concerned with the young boy, but with the theological aspect of the disciples’ inability to effect a cure. 9:17 “possessed with a spirit” The Gospels make a definite distinction between demon
Page 104