Mark 9:24

Authorized King James Version

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And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Original Language Analysis

καὶ And G2532
καὶ And
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 1 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐθὲως straightway G2112
εὐθὲως straightway
Strong's: G2112
Word #: 2 of 16
directly, i.e., at once or soon
κράξας cried out G2896
κράξας cried out
Strong's: G2896
Word #: 3 of 16
properly, to "croak" (as a raven) or scream, i.e., (genitive case) to call aloud (shriek, exclaim, intreat)
ὁ G3588
ὁ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 4 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατὴρ the father G3962
πατὴρ the father
Strong's: G3962
Word #: 5 of 16
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
τοῦ G3588
τοῦ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παιδίου of the child G3813
παιδίου of the child
Strong's: G3813
Word #: 7 of 16
a childling (of either sex), i.e., (properly), an infant, or (by extension) a half-grown boy or girl; figuratively, an immature christian
μετὰ with G3326
μετὰ with
Strong's: G3326
Word #: 8 of 16
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
δακρύων tears G1144
δακρύων tears
Strong's: G1144
Word #: 9 of 16
a tear
ἔλεγεν and said G3004
ἔλεγεν and said
Strong's: G3004
Word #: 10 of 16
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Πιστεύω· I believe G4100
Πιστεύω· I believe
Strong's: G4100
Word #: 11 of 16
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
κύριε Lord G2962
κύριε Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 12 of 16
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
βοήθει help thou G997
βοήθει help thou
Strong's: G997
Word #: 13 of 16
to aid or relieve
μου mine G3450
μου mine
Strong's: G3450
Word #: 14 of 16
of me
τῇ G3588
τῇ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 15 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀπιστίᾳ unbelief G570
ἀπιστίᾳ unbelief
Strong's: G570
Word #: 16 of 16
faithlessness, i.e., (negatively) disbelief (lack of christian faith), or (positively) unfaithfulness (disobedience)

Analysis & Commentary

Straightway father child cried out with tears Lord I believe help thou my unbelief. Straightway immediately. Father patēr loving parent. Cried out ekraxen urgent plea. With tears meta dakryōn emotional desperation. Lord kyrie acknowledges authority. I believe pisteuō affirm faith. Help boēthei assist. My unbelief tē apistia lack of faith. Honest confession mixed faith doubt. Faith is not perfect unwavering always but trust despite doubt. Father wants son healed but struggles with unbelief after disciples failure. Jesus compassion meets imperfect faith. Reformed theology affirms sanctification is progressive faith grows imperfect this life. God meets us where we are.

Historical Context

Context disciples could not cast out demon. Father brought boy to Jesus. I believe help my unbelief captures Christian experience. Genuine faith coexists with doubts struggles. Not that doubt is good but honest confession opens way to help. Jesus did not rebuke doubt but healed boy anyway. Grace meets imperfect faith. Many believers struggle with assurance doubt. This passage comforts struggling believers. Faith is not perfection but direction. Looking to Christ amid doubts. Early church provided assurance to doubting believers. Modern church should do likewise helping strugglers not condemning them.

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