Jesus responds to the desperate father's plea "if thou canst do any thing" by redirecting focus from divine ability to human faith. The Greek construction ei dynē pisteusai (εἰ δύνῃ πιστεῦσαι, "if you can believe") echoes the father's doubt but inverts it—the question isn't whether Jesus can heal, but whether the man can believe. The phrase panta dynata (πάντα δυνατά, "all things possible") employs the same word for "possible" used of God's omnipotence in Mark 10:27. Jesus declares that faith connects believers to divine omnipotence, making the impossible possible. This isn't faith in faith itself (a subjective psychological state) but faith in Christ—trust in His person, power, and promises. Reformed theology carefully distinguishes this from the prosperity gospel's notion that faith manipulates God; rather, genuine faith submits to God's sovereign will while confidently approaching Him with requests, knowing He can do all things though He may choose not to grant every petition.
Historical Context
This exchange occurred after Jesus' transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13), when He descended to find His disciples unable to cast out a demon from this man's son. The boy suffered severe symptoms—convulsions, muteness, self-harm. The disciples' failure despite previous successful exorcisms (Mark 6:13) revealed that spiritual power depends not on technique but on prayerful dependence on God (Mark 9:29). The father's wavering faith ("if thou canst") reflected natural doubt when facing demonic opposition and the disciples' failure. Yet Jesus didn't reject him for weak faith but strengthened it through this rebuke and subsequent healing. The early church faced similar challenges—situations where prayers seemed unanswered and spiritual warfare seemed unwinnable—yet this promise sustained them: faith in Christ accesses divine omnipotence.
Questions for Reflection
When facing impossible circumstances, do you first question God's ability or your own faith, and why does Jesus redirect the focus to faith?
How does understanding that faith connects us to divine omnipotence change your prayer life and expectations?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus responds to the desperate father's plea "if thou canst do any thing" by redirecting focus from divine ability to human faith. The Greek construction ei dynē pisteusai (εἰ δύνῃ πιστεῦσαι, "if you can believe") echoes the father's doubt but inverts it—the question isn't whether Jesus can heal, but whether the man can believe. The phrase panta dynata (πάντα δυνατά, "all things possible") employs the same word for "possible" used of God's omnipotence in Mark 10:27. Jesus declares that faith connects believers to divine omnipotence, making the impossible possible. This isn't faith in faith itself (a subjective psychological state) but faith in Christ—trust in His person, power, and promises. Reformed theology carefully distinguishes this from the prosperity gospel's notion that faith manipulates God; rather, genuine faith submits to God's sovereign will while confidently approaching Him with requests, knowing He can do all things though He may choose not to grant every petition.