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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."
Verse Takeaways
1
Faith in Desperation
Commentators observe that the father's plea, "if thou canst do anything," reveals a faith weakened by desperation. After his son's lifelong suffering and the recent failure of the disciples, his hope was nearly gone. Scholars like John Calvin note this doubt stemmed from seeing Jesus as just another man with limited power. Yet, even this fragile, questioning faith was enough to bring his need to Christ.
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Mark
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11
18th Century
Presbyterian
If thou canst do any thing. I have brought him to the disciples, and they could not help him. If THOU canst do anyth…
But if thou canst (αλλ 'ε τ δυνη). Jesus had asked (verse 21) the history of the case like a modern physician. The father gave it …
19th Century
Anglican
If thou canst do any thing.—The words are spoken almost in the accents of despair. Could He, the Master, prevail where the disciples had f…
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Baptist
And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and…
Here Mark describes the deadly conflict between Jesus and the demonic powers. The demon immediately threw the boy, who had been sick since childhoo…
16th Century
Protestant
If you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. We see how little honor he renders to Christ; for, supposing him to be some pr…
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17th Century
Reformed Baptist
And often it has cast him into the fire When he has been near it; so that one part or other of his body has been sco…
The father of the suffering youth reflected on the lack of power in the disciples, but Christ would have him attribute the disappointment to the la…
