Devine Scripture

Mark 9:23

What does Mark 9:23 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:23 means

Jesus directly challenges the father's conditional faith by repeating his "If thou canst!" but rephrasing it as a question to emphasize that the limitation is not with Him, but with the believer. He then declares the profound truth: "All things are possible to him that believeth." This statement shifts the focus from Jesus' ability (which is limitless) to the father's faith, teaching that faith is the key to unlocking divine power.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And Jesus said to him, If you are able! All things are possible to him who has faith.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jesus said to him, `If thou art able to believe! all things are possible to the one that is believing;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And immediately the father of the boy crying out, with tears said: I do believe, Lord. Help my unbelief.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jesus said to him, The 'if thou couldst' is [if thou couldst] believe: all things are possible to him that believes.

Context

This verse contains Jesus' direct and challenging response to the father’s plea, particularly the father's doubt-filled phrase, "if thou canst do anything." Jesus shifts the focus from His ability to the father's faith, leading directly into the father's heartfelt cry for help with his unbelief, thereby setting the stage for a dramatic response of faith and the subsequent miracle.

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.

v.23This passage

v.24Straightway the father of the child cried out, and said, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Cross references

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

  • John 11:40

    Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou believedst, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

  • Matthew 21:21

    And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do what is done to the fig tree, but even if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea, it shall be done.

  • Mark 11:23

    Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.

  • Luke 17:6

    And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye would say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou rooted up, and be thou planted in the sea; and it would obey you.

  • John 4:48

    Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe.

  • Acts 14:9

    The same heard Paul speaking: who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole,

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