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MARK 9:23 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
Mark 9:22Mark 9:24
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
If you can? said Jesus. Everything is possible for one who believes — the reframing is immediate: you are asking if I can; the real question is whether you believe. The if you can is returned to the father: not Jesus' power but the father's faith is the condition being addressed. Everything is possible for one who believes — not the father's faith as the power source but as the channel through which Jesus' power is received. The saying is not a general principle about positive thinking but a specific invitation to the father to move from conditional doubt (if you can) to trusting confidence.

Church Fathers on Mark 9:23

After He had shewn His glory in the mount to the three disciples, He returns to the other disciples, who had not come up with Him into the mount; wherefore it is said, 'And when He came to His disciples, He saw a great multitude about them, and the Scribes questioning with them.'

Theophylact · 11th century

But there is no peace for man under the sun; envy is ever slaying the little ones, and lightnings strike the tops of the great mountains. Of all those who run to the Church, some as the multitudes come in faith to learn, others, as the Scribes, with envy and pride.

Pseudo-Jerome · 5th century

In all cases, the difference between the mind of the Scribes and of the people ought to be observed; for the Scribes are never said to have shewn any devotion, faith, humility, and reverence, but as soon as the Lord was come, the whole multitude was greatly amazed and feared, and ran up to Him, and saluted Him; wherefore there follows, 'And running to Him, saluted Him.'

Bede · 8th century · in Marc., 3, 38
Read all 26 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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