Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Mark

[Nic J]

In Mark 9:24
First did the teachers of the law not like Jesus? Did any of them believe him and believed who he was?

when he said " you unbelieving generation" , How long shall I stay with you ? how long should I put up with you ? was Jesus talking to the disciples or the father of the boy? I just couldn't tell.

If Jesus was talking to the disciples ... why would he say that ? Did they have the power to get the impure spirit out of they boy ?

ooops just realized he was talking to the father ?! or both ..

so Jesus healed the boy in front of the crowd that was forming but did he also do it to help the father to overcome his unbelief?

Do these kind of things still happen today ? If someone Is possessed by a impure spirit and people pray will God have the spirit come out ?


so God used these people struggling in their faith .. ok why ? wouldn't he want to use people who are not struggling in their faith ?

[jimwalton]

Mark 9.24.

“Did the teachers of the law not like Jesus?” Right, they did not. He was a threat to their whole way of life, because he saw their faith as false and their aim to gain recognition. He was a threat to their authority because he was teaching deeper truths than they were. If people really followed Jesus, the religious leaders would be, let’s say, without a job. No one would listen to them any more. They were “washed up.”

That’s the first thing. The second thing is they thought he was wrong. He was teaching stuff different than what was in the Old Testament (not really, but that’s the way they saw it). They felt they had an obligation to the people to point out Jesus’ errors.

The third thing is that he was putting himself on an equal level with God, and that was blasphemy to them. So they were extremely upset on many fronts.

“Did any of them believe him and believe who he was?” Some did. Nicodemus was a member of the Sanhedrin who became a follower. Joseph of Arimathea also was a member of the Council (Mk. 15.43). So there were some. We just don’t know how many.

“When he said…—who was he talking to?” The disciples. You should be aware that the Gospel of Mark represents the disciples as failures. Everything they say and do in the entire book is wrong except Peter’s confession in Mk. 8.29. Other than that, bumbling idiots…in the entire book.

“Why would he say that to the disciples?” They had seen him cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead, and debate successfully with the scribes and Pharisees. He had given them the authority to drive out demons (Mk. 3.15; 6.13). They had success in casting out demons and healing the sick (Mk. 6.12-13). They had seen him act in the presence of unbelief (Mk. 5.40). He had previously rebuked them for their lack of faith (Mk.4.40). For what they’ve had access to, he expects more.

“Did they have the power to cast it out?” Yeah. Mk. 3.15; 6.12-13.

“So Jesus healed the boy in front of the crowd, but he also did it to help the father?” Yes, this is a revelation story, where Jesus is revealing His deity to the disciples and the crowd, including the father.

“Do these kinds of things still happen today?” Apparently. Missionaries and some ministers actually tell stories about such things. I’ve never seen it, personally.

“So God used these people struggling in their faith. OK, why? Wouldn’t he want to use people who are not struggling in their faith?” It’s not quantity that Jesus is after, but quality. As long as there is a tidbit of real faith, that’s good enough. Even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. Real faith has nothing to do with quantity. The tiniest bit is powerful because God honors it.

Jesus wants very strongly to communicate that you don’t have to have your act together before you come to him. He wants us to know that His acceptance of us doesn’t depend on our talent, capabilities, experiences, intellect, good looks, money, or religious fervor. All he wants is your love and trust. Give him and inch, and he’ll make a mile of it.

Nineveh, during the days of Jonah. They “repented” and God withheld his judgment. Jonah was TICKED. “Are you kidding? You accepted THAT? That was paltry. That wasn’t it. Seriously?” God said that was good enough for him.

What about the thief on the cross? That’s all: “Lord, remember me”? Yep. Many more examples. He even forgave Peter after his denial. He knew Peter didn’t mean it. Jesus didn’t come for the healthy, but for the sick.

God is very gracious.

[Nic J]

Peter sounds like me .. the talking before you speak part. My mouth has gotten me in trouble many times but its getting better.

why would a book of the bible point out the failures of the disciples? To show what?

wait the disciples had power cast impure demons ? how did they get that power? by prayer?


well, good thing we don't have to have our act together because I do not at all. That's a good reminder.

[jimwalton]

“Why would a book point out the failures of the disciples? To show what?” There could be several reasons.

1. Mark seems to be about covenant jeopardy, just like Genesis. Everything goes wrong, obstacles abound, mistakes all over the place, sin, human weakness, and problems one day after the next. But God’s plan of salvation is not thwarted. God’s authority is not diminished, and his power is not induct. God reveals himself through it all, despite all the distortions and opposition, even from his own disciples. No matter. The plan of God for salvation will not be stopped.

2. The disciples’ failure shows that “there is none righteous, no not one” (Rom. 3.10).

3. The disciples’ failure shows that no one deserved Jesus’ death.

4. It shows that Jesus really did what he did alone (Isa. 53.3, 6). He was symbolically deserted by all. "No one” understood Him or His mission.

5. It shows that Jesus can use the clueless!



“Wait. The disciples had power to cast out impure spirits (demons)? How did they get that power?” Jesus just invested them with it (Mt. 10.8 = Lk. 9.1). He used His authority and blopped it on them. And they did it (Lk. 10.17)!