Devine Scripture

Mark 9:29

What does Mark 9:29 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 9:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 9:29 means

Jesus explains to His disciples that "This kind" of demon—implying particularly stubborn or powerful spirits—can only be cast out through prayer. This teaching emphasizes that spiritual warfare requires spiritual resources beyond mere authority or human effort. It highlights the absolute necessity of a deep, dependent relationship with God through prayer to access the divine power needed for such difficult spiritual battles, stressing humble reliance on God.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to them, Nothing will make this sort come out but prayer.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he said to them, `This kind is able to come forth with nothing except with prayer and fasting.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And departing from thence, they passed through Galilee: and he would not that any man should know it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse contains Jesus' direct answer to His disciples' private question about their inability to cast out the demon. His explanation about the necessity of prayer provides a critical lesson on spiritual power and dependence on God. This teaching moves directly into Jesus reiterating His passion prediction, consistently linking the demands of ministry with dependence on the Father and the reality of His own suffering.

v.28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, How is it that we could not cast it out?

v.29This passage

v.30And they went forth from thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

Cross references

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

  • Daniel 9:3

    And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.

  • Acts 9:40

    But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

  • 2 Kings 4:33

    He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto Jehovah.

  • Matthew 12:45

    Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.

  • James 5:15

    and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him.

  • 1 Corinthians 9:27

    but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

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