“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.”
Parallel translations
- 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.”
- 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.
- NKJV And often he has thrown 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.”
- NASB It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”
- NLT The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The father describes the spirit's attempts to destroy the boy and pleads, 'If you can do anything, help us.' His desperate, wavering faith reaches out to Jesus.
Overview
The father's account of fire and water reveals the spirit's intent to kill, and his tentative 'if you can' betrays faith mixed with doubt. Yet he still comes to Jesus with his plea for compassion. His honest, struggling faith becomes the occasion for Jesus to teach about the power of believing.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Matt 15:22–28And 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.”
- Matt 14:31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
- Mark 5:19But 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.”
- Mark 1:40–42Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
- Matt 20:34Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him.
- Matt 8:2Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
- Matt 9:28After 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.
- Luke 7:13When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”
- Matt 8:8–9The 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.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 9:22 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.