Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 9:17

"And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit;" — Mark 9:17 (ASV)

Jesus’ inquiry as to what the other disciples and the crowd were arguing about brought a reply from a man who had brought his demon-possessed and epileptic son for healing. Doubtless the disciples had fully expected to be able to exorcise the demon. Had that not been a part of their commission (cf. 3:15), and had they not already been successful at it (cf. 6:13)?