1. Mark 9:14-32

2.  Setting The account is said to have taken place right after the transfiguration when the disciples came down from the mountain, which is still in Galilee and were met by a large crowd.

3.  Same Account in Other Gospels Matthew 17:14-19, Luke 9:37-45  Both Matthew and Luke give a more brief account of the exorcism than does Mark.  Matthew includes the discussion about faith being the size of a mustard seed.  In Matthew and Luke there is no mention of this exorcism being done only by prayer.  The account in Matthew ends with the disciples in grief after Jesus tells them that he must die and be raised on the 3 rd day. Luke concludes the account with the statement that the disciples did not understand what Jesus was talking about and they were afraid to ask him about it.

4.  What was the Problem?  A boy who was possessed by a demon was brought to the disciples for exorcism.  This particular demonic possession looked like epilepsy.  The disciples were unable to cast out the demon.

5.  “O unbelieving generation”  Israel is always to be viewed as unbelieving. Matthew 23:37-39  In this account the disciples seem to be included in this description.

6.  Textual Problem  In the KJV and the NKJV the phrase “This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting” is included.  In the NIV, NASB, and ESV this phrase “and fasting” is omitted since it is not contained in the earliest manuscripts.

7.  Believing is the Key  In order for the miracle of healing to take place it was necessary for the one requesting the healing to believe that Jesus could heal the person. Matthew 9:27-31  The boy’s father did believe, but not without doubt. He then asks Jesus to increase his faith.

8.  Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed  Matthew 17:19-21  In Matthew, Jesus tell his disciples that what they need not giant faith (tiny faith will do) but true faith—faith that, out of a deep, personal trust, expects God to work.  ( Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, D.A. Carson, page 392.)  Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 is that growth comes through increasing our grasp of the love of Christ that is shown us in the cross.

9.  Avoiding the Crowds  From this point on Jesus is avoiding the crowds as he moves toward Jerusalem.  He is now instructing his disciples in preparation for his death and resurrection.  At this point the disciples were still unable to grasp the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.