Mark 9:27

Analysis & Commentary

After the demon's violent exit, the boy 'was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead' (ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ νεκρός, ὥστε τοὺς πολλοὺς λέγειν ὅτι ἀπέθανεν). The crowd's conclusion seemed reasonable—the boy lay motionless after violent convulsions. But Jesus 'took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose' (κρατήσας τῆς χειρὸς αὐτοῦ ἤγειρεν αὐτόν, καὶ ἀνέστη). The verb 'arose' (anestē, ἀνέστη) is the standard resurrection term. Jesus demonstrated authority over death itself—the ultimate enemy. This miracle foreshadows Jesus' resurrection and believers' future resurrection. The boy's restoration was complete—not merely freed from demons but raised to new life. This illustrates gospel transformation: those dead in trespasses and sins are made alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).

Historical Context

The resurrection vocabulary (egeirō and anistēmi) used here appears throughout Mark's passion narrative and resurrection account (Mark 8:31; 9:9, 31; 10:34; 12:26; 14:28; 16:6). Mark deliberately uses this language to connect the boy's restoration to Jesus' resurrection. Ancient witnesses seeing someone rise from apparent death would recognize supernatural intervention. This miracle occurred shortly before Jesus' final journey to Jerusalem (Mark 10:1), serving as prophetic sign of His coming death and resurrection. The pattern—apparent death followed by Jesus' powerful restoration—demonstrated that death cannot hold those Jesus claims. This strengthened disciples' faith for the coming crisis when Jesus Himself would die and rise.

Questions for Reflection

• How does this miracle's resurrection imagery prefigure the gospel pattern of dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ?
• What does Jesus' power to raise the apparently dead boy teach about His authority over death and the certainty of future resurrection?