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.
Mark 9:20 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse from the Bible, we see a vivid description of a man who is possessed by an evil spirit. The man is brought before Jesus, and as soon as Jesus sees him, the spirit within the man begins to torment him. The man falls to the ground and starts foaming at the mouth. This powerful imagery highlights the intense spiritual warfare that occurs between good and evil forces. The verse demonstrates the authority and power of Jesus over evil spirits, as later in the passage, Jesus commands the spirit to come out of the man. It also serves as a reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for believers to put on the armor of God to resist the schemes of the devil. This verse showcases Jesus' compassion and ability to heal those who are afflicted by demonic forces, offering hope and deliverance to those who are in bondage.
Theological Overview
Some theologians interpret the verse about the healing of a possessed boy in Mark 9:20-22 as a representation of the power struggle between Jesus and the evil spirits. The word "tare" in this passage carries a connotation of violent tearing or rending, underscoring the intense spiritual battle taking place. The word "wallowed" suggests uncontrolled and violent movements, indicating the severity of the boy's condition. Through a theological lens, this story highlights Jesus' authority over evil forces and his ability to bring healing and restoration. The word "foaming" adds to the vivid description of the boy's distress, emphasizing the physical and spiritual torment he was experiencing. This verse showcases Jesus' compassion and power in the face of spiritual oppression, offering hope to those who are suffering from similar afflictions today.
Mark 9:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him grievously; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
World English Bible
They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.
Douay-Rheims
And he asked his father: How long time is it since this hath happened unto him? But he sad: From his infancy.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So they brought him vnto him: and assoone as the spirit sawe him, hee tare him, and hee fell downe on the ground walowing and foming.