Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:14-24 – Help Me Where I Need Faith

Mark 9:14-24 – Help Me Where I Need Faith

|| Matthew 17:14-21;[1] Luke 9:34-42

MK9:14 Now when they approached the [other] disciples[2] they saw a large crowd around them, and the Bible Copyists were asking them questions. MK9:15 Suddenly when the whole crowd saw Jesus they ran forward to welcome him. MK9:16 Then Jesus asked the Bible Copyists: “What is your argument with them?” MK9:17 So one in the crowd said: “Lord, I brought to you my son who has a speechless demon. MK9:18 Whenever the demon seizes him he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and then becomes rigid. Now I asked your disciples to exorcise the demon and but could not do it.” MK9:19 Jesus answered him: “O faithless generation,[3] how much longer must I remain with you? How much longer must I tolerate you? Bring the boy here!” MK9:20 Now as soon as they brought him to Jesus, when he saw Jesus, instantly the demon threw the boy into convulsions, and foaming at the mouth he kept rolling on the ground. MK9:21 Jesus asked the father: “How long has he been doing this?” The father answered: “Since he was a child. MK9:22 Often the demon throws him into a fire, or into water to drown him.[4] But, if you can do anything, have pity on us and help.” MK9:23 Jesus told him: “That ‘if you are able’ – everything is possible to the person who believes!” MK9:24 Instantly, the father of the young boy said: “I believe! Help me with my unbelief!”[5]

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[1] Matthew 17:14-21: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] The [other] disciples: That is, those not including Peter, John and James. The other eight apostles have been involved in another matter.

[3] O faithless generation: Jesus includes the eight apostles.

[4] Into water to drown him: Demons become trapped within the material form they inhabit and the only thing left is to drive the person to suicide.

[5] Help me with my unbelief: Many have prayed the same since.

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Preceding

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:1-10 – Demon ‘Legion’ Expelled

Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:1-8 – The Transfiguration

Mark 9 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 9:9-13 – Elijah Has Come

Matthew 12:22-30 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: the Charge of Demonism

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Additional reading

1. Today’s thought “According to your faith” (July 8)
2. Matthew 17:14-21 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed

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Related

1. Monday through Friday with People of Faith: Day 223/260: The Father of the Possessed Boy
2. Coming Down the Mountain
3. I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!
4. “Lord, I Believe; Help My Unbelief!”
5. belief in the middle of struggle
6. Help my unbelief

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:24-30 – A Syro-phoenician Woman

Mark 7:24-30 – A Syro-phoenician Woman

|| Matthew 15:21-28[1]

MK7:24 Now after this Jesus rose and traveled[2] to the borders of Tyre and Sidon and there he entered a certain house. He wanted to remain unrecognized[3] but he could not escape discovery. MK7:25 Because a certain woman whose young daughter had an unclean demon heard of him and came and fell at his feet. MK7:26 The woman was a Greek from Syro-phoenicia,[4] and she begged Jesus that he exorcise the demon from her daughter. MK7:27 But Jesus said to her: “Allow the ‘children’ to eat and be satisfied first. Because it is not proper[5] to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”[6] MK7:28 However, the woman answered Jesus and said to him: “True, Lord, and yet even the little dogs under the table eat the crumb’s the children spill.” MK7:29 So Jesus said to her: “Because of that statement, go now. The demon has left your daughter.” MK7:30 Now when she had returned home she discovered the demon had gone and her daughter lay resting on her bed.

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[1] Matthew 15:21-28: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Traveled: Over 50-70 miles.

[3] He wanted to remain unrecognized: He travels 50-70 miles to enjoy some peace and quiet.

[4] Syro-phoenicia: Ancient Canaanites and modern Palestine. This is the land from which Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English all find their roots.

[5] It is not proper: Or: right, fair. In a moment Jesus will do what he first said was not right or proper. Jesus has come only to call “the lost sheep of the House of Israel.”

[6] Little dogs: Though some say “dogs” the Greek is diminutive and refers to puppies. “Dog” was a derogatory term used by the self-righteous Jews.

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Preceding

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:1-8 – Vain Worship and Human Doctrines

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:9-16 – Invalidating God’s Word

Mark 7 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 7:17-23 – How to Defile the Heart

Matthew 15:1-20 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Tradition and the Heart

Matthew 15:21-28 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Giving Bread to Puppies

Matthew 23:25-26 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Woe 5: Greed and Unclean

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Additional reading

1. Today’s thought “Out of the heart … come …” (February 11)

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:11-17 – Swine Rush Over Cliff

Mark 5:11-17 – Swine Rush Over Cliff

|| Matthew 8:28-34[1]

MK5:11 Now nearby were some hills where a large herd of pigs[2] were feeding. MK5:12 So all the demons begged Jesus, saying: “Send us away into the pigs, so that we may enter them!” MK5:13 Right away Jesus gave them permission and the unclean demons came out and entered into the pigs.[3] Then the whole herd of two thousand rushed fiercely down the hills over a cliff into the sea and drowned. MK5:14 Now those herding the pigs went and told the local village as well as the nearby country. So people came out to see what had happened. MK5:15 When they approached Jesus, the man who had been possessed by the demons named Legion, that man was sitting there clothed and sound in mind.[4] All the people were astonished.[5] MK5:16 Those who had witnessed the matter told them all how it happened to the man who was possessed by demons, and also about the herd of pigs. MK5:17 Now these local people began to beg Jesus leave their coastal area.[6]

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[1] Matthew 8:28-34: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] Pigs: This was forbidden Jews. [Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8]

[3] Entered into the pigs: If there were 6,000 demons in the man and they all went into the 2,000 pigs then each pig had three demons. It seems the demons had evil motives, and also were trapped to material forms whether human or animal. However, Jesus accomplished tow things: a] he destroys the product of unlawful activity; and, b] releases the demons from material possession, something they did not want.

[4] Sound in mind: Or, in his right mind, sane mind, perfectly sane.

[5] Astonished: Or, awestruck, frightened. Though they may have feared the demonized man, they feared this power even more.

[6] Beg Jesus leave their coastal area: Perhaps they were involved in other unlawful produce and feared the ruin of their commercial business.

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Preceding

Matthew 8:28-34 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: The Demon-possessed of the Gadarenes

Mark 5 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 5:1-10 – Demon ‘Legion’ Expelled

Be sound in mind and be vigilant with a view to prayers

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:32-34 – A Variety of Sicknesses Cured

Mark 1:32-34 – A Variety of Sicknesses Cured

|| Matthew 8:16[1]

MK1:32 When it was evening and the sun had set, people came bringing Jesus all who were sick and the demonized. MK1:33 The whole town was gathered at the door. MK1:34 And Jesus cured many suffering badly with various sicknesses. He exorcised many demons and would not permit them to speak, because they knew him to be the Christ.[2]

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[1] Matthew 8:16: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

[2] They knew who He was: The Christ pre-existed in heaven before coming to earth. Compare notes on John 17:5 and Philippians 2:5-7.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:3-6 – John Preaches Baptism of Repentance

Mark 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:12-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom Has Drawn Near

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:16-21 – Becoming Fishers of Men

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:22-28 – Teaching in a Synagogue

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:29-31 – Peter’s Mother-in-law Healed

 

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Related

1. Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021 Gospel (Mk 1:29-39) On leaving the synagogue
2. The Healing Authority of Christ
3. The Healing Power of Jesus
4. Morning Musing: Mark 6:56
5. Something to Live For

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:22-28 – Teaching in a Synagogue

Mark 1:22-28 – Teaching in a Synagogue

|| Luke 4:31-37

MK1:22 The people were astounded at his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, and not as the Bible Copyists.[1] MK1:23 Suddenly right there in their synagogue there was a man possessed by an unclean demon.[2] He screamed out: MK1:24 “What is there between us,[3] Jesus the Nazarene?[4] Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are[5] – the Saint of the God!”[6] MK1:25 But Jesus rebuked it,[7] saying: “Shut up! Come out of him!” MK1:26 Then causing the man to have convulsions the unclean demon came out of him with a loud shriek. MK1:27 Everyone was astonished, so they began to ask one another: “What does this mean? A new teaching?[8] One with such authority that even unclean demons obey his orders!” MK1:28 And at once the report about Jesus spread everywhere in the countryside around Galilee.

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[1] Bible Copyists: Or, scribes. These were men who devoted their lives to making precise copies of the Hebrew Bible. We see their fingers stained black from ink, and the older men with arthritic joints from such labors.

[2] Unclean demon: Or, impure spirit.

[3] What is there between us: See notes on John 2:4.

[4] Jesus the Nazarene: Note the designation used.

[5] I know who you are: Note both the “us” and the “I.” It is the view of some that these spirits [demons, or fallen angels] knew this person during his pre-existence.

[6] Saint of the God: Or, the Holy One of God. The demons use TOU THEOU [HO THEOS]. The language is understood by some to allude to Christ’s pre-existence.

[7] Rebuked it: Or, him. The Greek AUTO can permit “it.”

[8] A new teaching: Or, doctrine.

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Preceding

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:1-8 – The Beginning of the Good News

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Nazarene Commentary Luke 3:3-6 – John Preaches Baptism of Repentance

Mark 1 – Additional Bible Students notes on Mark 1:9-11 – An Approved Son Baptized

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:12-13 – Tempted by the Devil

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:14-15 – Kingdom Has Drawn Near

Mark 1 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Mark 1:16-21 – Becoming Fishers of Men

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Related

1. Mighty Name of Jesus!
2. A Year of Listening to Jesus The Power of The Word
3. Morning Musing: Mark 1:28