Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Mark 9:26

"And having cried out, and torn him much, he came out: and [the boy] became as one dead; insomuch that the more part said, He is dead." — Mark 9:26 (ASV)

The demon’s exorcism was accompanied by cries and convulsions. The effect on the boy was so severe that he seemed to the crowd to be dead. Completely exhausted and looking like a corpse, the boy responded to the touch of Jesus. Any confrontation of Jesus with Satan results in the victory of life over death.