Mark 9 · a question people ask
"Why couldn’t we cast it out?" (9:28). What does Jesus answer?
"When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”" (9:28). "He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”" (9:29). Matthew tells the question and the answer in his own words (Matthew 17:19-21). Luke tells the healing but not the disciples' question (Luke 9:37-43). Mark says no more about what this kind is, and these notes don't either.
The verses
“When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.””
“Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.””