Mark 9:22

20 So they brought him, and seeing Jesus, the spirit immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been with him?” “From childhood,” he said.

“It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

23 “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”

24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
KJV
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
WEB
Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
ASV
And 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.
DARBY
and often it has cast him both into fire and into waters that it might destroy him: but if thou couldst [do] anything, be moved with pity on us, and help us.
BLB
And often it also cast him into the fire and into the waters, so that it might destroy him. But if You are able [to do] anything, help us, having compassion on us.”
ÅB
og ofte har den kastet ham både i ild og i vann for å gjøre ende på ham; men om du formår noe, så ha medynk med oss og hjelp oss!
OTB
Den har ofte kastet ham i ild eller vann for å ødelegge ham. Men hvis du kan gjøre noe, ha medfølelse med oss og hjelp oss.»
B1930
og ofte har den kastet ham både i ild og i vann for å gjøre ende på ham; men om du formår noget, så ha medynk med oss og hjelp oss!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Mark 1:40–42

    Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 15:22–28

    And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.”

    Read in context
  • Mark 5:19

    But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 14:31

    Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 8:2

    Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

    Read in context
  • Matthew 20:34

    Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 8:8–9

    The centurion answered, “Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 9:28

    After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered.

    Read in context