Mark 9:20
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἤνεγκαν
they brought
G5342
ἤνεγκαν
they brought
Strong's:
G5342
Word #:
2 of 20
to "bear" or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively, as follows)
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πρὸς
unto
G4314
πρὸς
unto
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
4 of 20
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἰδὼν
when he saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
when he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα
the spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
the spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
11 of 20
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
εσπάραξεν
tare
G4682
εσπάραξεν
tare
Strong's:
G4682
Word #:
12 of 20
apparently strengthened from g4685 through the idea of spasmodic contraction); to mangle, i.e., convluse with epilepsy
αὐτόν
him
G846
αὐτόν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Mark 1:26And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.Mark 9:18And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.Mark 9:26And 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.John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Luke 9:42And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.Luke 8:29(For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)Luke 4:35And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.1 Peter 5:8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Historical Context
Ancient exorcism accounts (both biblical and extrabiblical) often describe violent demonic manifestations when confronted. The demon's public display before the crowd served multiple purposes: demonstrating the reality of spiritual warfare, showing the severity of the bondage, and making Christ's authority more evident when He effortlessly cast out what violently resisted. First-century observers would understand this as cosmic battle between divine and demonic powers. Unlike pagan exorcisms requiring elaborate rituals, Jesus would command immediate obedience (v. 25). The demon's violent response to Jesus' mere presence foreshadows demons' terror at final judgment (James 2:19; Matthew 8:29).
Questions for Reflection
- What does the demon's violent response to Jesus' presence teach about spiritual warfare's reality and demons' recognition of Christ's authority?
- How does the pattern of darkness intensifying before deliverance apply to spiritual battles believers face?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When they brought the boy to Jesus, 'the spirit tare him' (εὐθὺς συνεσπάραξεν αὐτόν). The demon's violent response to Jesus' presence intensified the boy's suffering. Throughout Mark, demons recognize and respond to Jesus' authority (Mark 1:24; 3:11; 5:7). The spirit 'tare' (synesparaxen, συνεσπάραξεν) means convulsed violently. The boy 'fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming' (πεσὼν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐκυλίετο ἀφρίζων). This escalation before deliverance is common in exorcism accounts—demons manifest violently when confronted by superior authority. Far from indicating Jesus' powerlessness, this demonstrates the demon's recognition that its time is limited. Reformed theology sees this as illustrating Satan's furious opposition knowing his defeat is certain (Revelation 12:12). The darkness rages most violently when light approaches.