And 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.

MARK 9:26KJV
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Mark 9:26 (KJV)

What does Mark 9:26 mean?

Mark 9:26 describes how, after Jesus commands an unclean spirit to leave a boy, the spirit violently reacts—crying out, causing the boy intense convulsions, and then leaving him appearing lifeless, so much so that many people think the boy is dead. The verse highlights the dramatic and exhausting effect of the spirit’s departure on the boy’s body.

In this scene, Jesus has just rebuked a spirit that was tormenting a child, while a crowd and the boy’s father look on. The verse captures the moment right after the spirit leaves, showing the seriousness of the boy’s condition and the astonishment of the witnesses. The description emphasizes both the power of the spirit’s grip and the completeness of its exit, setting up the following moment when Jesus restores the boy.

The Greek behind Mark 9:26

  • "κράξας" (kraxas, "cried"): This word suggests a loud, desperate scream, showing the spirit’s resistance and the intensity of the moment.
  • "σπαράξας" (sparaxas, "rent"): This term means to convulse or tear, often used for violent shaking, highlighting the physical toll on the boy as the spirit leaves.
  • "ὡσεὶ νεκρός" (hōsei nekros, "as one dead"): The phrase means "like a dead person," underlining how lifeless the boy appeared, which explains why the crowd thought he had died.
  • "πολλοὶ" (polloi, "many"): The use of "many" shows that this was not just a private opinion—most of the onlookers believed the boy was dead, stressing the dramatic impact of the event.

Why Mark 9:26 matters

  • Mark 9:26 clears up that the boy’s apparent death was not a result of Jesus’ failure, but rather the visible aftermath of a powerful spiritual struggle.
  • The verse emphasizes the severity of the boy’s condition and the dramatic nature of his healing, which sets the stage for Jesus’ life-restoring intervention in the next verse.
  • This moment connects to the wider passage by showing Jesus’ authority over even the most violent and destructive spiritual forces, reinforcing the theme of his unique power.

Where else these words appear

“rent” Greek G4682 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
  • 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.
  • Luke 9:39 And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him.

“as” Greek G5616 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
  • Luke 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
  • Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

“cried” Greek G2896 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
  • Mark 15:13 And they cried out again, Crucify him.
  • Acts 19:34 But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

“insomuch” Greek G5620 · used in 83 verses

  • Matthew 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
  • Luke 5:7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
  • 1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.