Mark 9:26 — Community Reflections

MARK 9:26 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.”

The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, he is dead — the violent departure echoes the Gerasene exorcism's violent exit. The boy's post-exorcism state — lying still, looking dead — communicates that the departure of the possessing spirit has left the boy without the animated energy of the demonic. The many who say he is dead are wrong but understandably so: the boy who convulsed and foamed is now completely still.

Church Fathers on Mark 9:26

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

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a reflection on this verse

No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!