John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Mark 9:1-50
The Transfiguration. An Epileptic Healed. Prediction of His Death2-8. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1; Luke 9:28). See on Mt.9-13. A question about Elijah. See on Matthew 17:9-13.14-29. An epileptic healed (Matthew 17:14; Luke 9:37). See on Mt.23. If thou canst believe] RV ’If thou canst! All things,’ etc. 29. By prayer and fasting] RV omits ’and fasting,’ but the evidence for it is strong.30-32. Prediction of the Passion (Matthew 17:22; Luke 9:43). See on Mt.33-37. The controversy as to... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Mark 9:23-24
The father thought the crucial question was whether Jesus could heal the boy. Jesus explained that it was really whether the father believed that Jesus could heal him. This pinpointed the father’s understanding of who Jesus was. The issue was not how strongly the father believed Jesus would heal his son. This is an important distinction. Modern "faith healers" usually stress the amount of trust that the person coming for help has rather than the object of that trust. Later Jesus revealed that... read more