Mark 9:20 Meaning and Explanation
“And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →As the boy is brought to Jesus, the spirit convulses him, and he falls writhing and foaming on the ground.
What Does Mark 9:20 Mean?
They bring the boy, and at the sight of Jesus the spirit throws him into convulsions; he falls and rolls on the ground, foaming. As often in this Gospel, the nearness of Christ provokes the powers of darkness to a final fury (Mark 1:23-24; 5:6-7).
Things can look worst at the very threshold of deliverance. The convulsion is dreadful, but it is the thrashing of a power that knows its Master has come. When bringing a person or a burden to Christ seems at first to make everything flare up, that is not a sign He has failed. The moment of confrontation comes before the moment of freedom; hold steady through the worst of it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 9:20
What does Mark 9:20 mean?
As the boy is brought to Jesus, the spirit convulses him, and he falls writhing and foaming on the ground.