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.
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.”
- 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.”
- 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, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
- Matt 14:31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
- Mark 5:19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
- Mark 1:40–42And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
- Matt 20:34So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
- Matt 8:2And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
- Matt 9:28And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
- Luke 7:13And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
- Matt 8:8–9The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall 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.