Devine Scripture

Mark 9:21

What does Mark 9:21 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:21 means

Jesus asks the father about the duration of his son's affliction, and the father replies that it has been present since childhood. This detail highlights the chronic nature of the suffering and how deeply ingrained the demon's influence was. Jesus' question, though seemingly an inquiry, also served to draw out the father's desperation and faith before the actual healing, emphasizing the long-term torment endured by the family.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus questioning the father said, How long has he been like this? And he said, From a child.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he questioned his father, `How long time is it since this came to him?' and he said, `From childhood,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And oftentimes hath he cast him into the fire and into the waters to destroy him. But if thou canst do any thing, help us, having compassion on us.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he asked his father, How long a time is it that it has been like this with him? And he said, From childhood;

Context

This verse shows Jesus engaging directly with the father, immediately after the demon's violent reaction to His presence. His question about the duration of the boy's suffering builds a deeper emotional connection to the crisis, preparing for the father's plea and Jesus' subsequent teaching on faith, making the miracle’s impact even more profound by revealing the depth of the trial.

v.20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.

v.21This passage

v.22And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 3:2

    And a certain man that was lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the door of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

  • Luke 13:16

    And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, these eighteen years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath?

  • Luke 8:43

    And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any,

  • Job 5:7

    But man is born unto trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

  • Acts 4:22

    For the man was more than forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was wrought.

  • Job 14:1

    Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.

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