Devine Scripture

Mark 9:28

What does Mark 9:28 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:28 means

Later, when Jesus was alone with His disciples in a house, they privately asked Him why they had been unable to cast out the demon. This question reveals their honest perplexity and concern over their failure, especially after Jesus had previously given them authority over evil spirits. Their private inquiry underlines their ongoing struggle to understand the source and exercise of spiritual power.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when he had gone into the house, his disciples said to him privately, Why were we unable to send it out?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he having come into the house, his disciples were questioning him by himself--`Why were we not able to cast it forth?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said to them: This kind can go out by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse marks a shift in setting and focus, moving from the public miracle to a private discussion between Jesus and His disciples. Following the impressive display of Jesus' power, their question about their own failure provides a moment of introspection and sets the stage for Jesus' crucial teaching on the spiritual requirements for effective ministry, specifically the importance of prayer.

v.27But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.

v.28This passage

v.29And he said unto them, This kind can come out by nothing, save by prayer.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 13:36

    Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field.

  • Matthew 17:19

    Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?

  • Mark 4:34

    and without a parable spake he not unto them: but privately to his own disciples he expounded all things.

  • Matthew 15:15

    And Peter answered and said unto him, Declare unto us the parable.

  • Mark 7:17

    And when he was entered into the house from the multitude, his disciples asked of him the parable.

  • Matthew 13:10

    And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

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