“If You can?” echoed Jesus.This phrase highlights Jesus' response to the father's request for healing his son. The father had expressed doubt about Jesus' ability to heal, which is why Jesus echoes his words back to him. This moment underscores the importance of faith in Jesus' ministry. In the cultural context of the time, miracles were often seen as acts of divine intervention, and faith was a crucial component in experiencing such acts. Jesus' response challenges the father to move beyond doubt and embrace faith. This echoes the broader biblical theme that faith is essential for experiencing God's power, as seen in
Hebrews 11:6, which states that without faith, it is impossible to please God.
“All things are possible to him who believes!”
This statement by Jesus emphasizes the limitless potential of faith. In the biblical context, faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep trust in God's power and goodness. This teaching is consistent with other scriptural passages, such asMatthew 17:20, where Jesus says that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Theologically, this phrase points to the omnipotence of God and the believer's access to that power through faith. Historically, this teaching would have been radical, as it shifted the focus from human limitations to divine possibilities. It also foreshadows the greater works that believers would do through faith in Jesus, as mentioned inJohn 14:12. This phrase serves as a call to believers to trust in God's ability to work beyond human understanding and circumstances.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JesusThe central figure in this passage, Jesus is responding to a father's plea for healing his demon-possessed son. His response emphasizes faith and belief.
2.
The FatherA desperate parent seeking healing for his son, he initially expresses doubt in Jesus' ability to heal, which prompts Jesus' response.
3.
The Demon-Possessed BoyThe boy is afflicted by a spirit that causes him great harm, and his condition is the catalyst for the father's plea and Jesus' teaching on faith.
4.
The DisciplesEarlier in the chapter, they were unable to cast out the demon, which sets the stage for Jesus' teaching on faith and prayer.
5.
The CrowdWitnesses to the event, they are part of the larger account where Jesus demonstrates His power and authority.
Teaching Points
The Power of BeliefJesus emphasizes that belief is the key to unlocking divine possibilities. Our faith should be rooted in the understanding of God's omnipotence.
Faith Overcomes DoubtThe father's initial doubt is met with Jesus' challenge to believe. This teaches us that faith requires us to overcome our uncertainties and trust in God's power.
Dependence on GodThe disciples' inability to cast out the demon highlights the necessity of relying on God's strength rather than our own abilities.
Prayer and FaithJesus' later explanation that this kind of demon can only come out by prayer (
Mark 9:29) underscores the connection between faith and a prayerful life.
Faith in ActionBelief is not passive; it requires action. We are called to live out our faith through obedience and trust in God's promises.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Mark 9:23?
2.How does Mark 9:23 challenge our understanding of faith and belief in God?
3.What does "all things are possible" teach about God's power in our lives?
4.How can we apply the promise in Mark 9:23 to daily challenges?
5.Which other Bible verses reinforce the message of faith found in Mark 9:23?
6.How can we strengthen our faith to align with Mark 9:23's teachings?
7.What does "All things are possible to him who believes" mean in Mark 9:23?
8.How does Mark 9:23 challenge our understanding of faith and miracles?
9.Is there historical evidence supporting the miracles described in Mark 9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Mark 9?
11.Can belief make all things possible?
12.What does "I believe; help my unbelief" mean?
13.Can belief make all things possible?
14.Can God make all things possible for men?What Does Mark 9:23 Mean
“If You can?”The distraught father cried, “But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (Mark 9:22). Jesus purposely repeats the man’s own words, spotlighting the tiny seed of unbelief behind them.
• Doubt puts a question mark where God has placed a period (James 1:6–7;Matthew 17:20).
• Earlier a leper said, “If You are willing” and Jesus answered by touching and cleansing him (Mark 1:40–41). The issue is never the Lord’s ability.
• The moment Jesus echoes the phrase, every ear in the crowd hears how small faith sounds when spoken aloud.
echoed JesusBy mirroring the father’s words, the Lord both confronts and invites.
• Confronts: Jesus often exposes wavering faith to call people higher (Matthew 14:31;Luke 24:38).
• Invites: His tone is not harsh but corrective, steering the man from “if” to certainty (Mark 8:17–18).
• The echo serves as a gentle rebuke—yet it keeps the conversation open, drawing the father toward trust rather than shame.
“All things are possible”With the doubt uncovered, Jesus replaces it with a sweeping declaration: “All things are possible.”
• God’s capability is unlimited (Genesis 18:14;Jeremiah 32:17, 27;Luke 1:37).
• Nothing—from healing a child to raising the dead—is beyond His reach (Mark 10:27;Ephesians 3:20).
• The phrase resets the father’s focus from the demon’s stubbornness to the Lord’s omnipotence.
to him who believes!The promised possibility is tied to faith, not wishful thinking.
• Faith is confidence in God’s character and Word (Hebrews 11:6;John 11:40).
• Belief appropriates what God is willing and able to do (Matthew 21:22;1 John 5:4-5).
• The father immediately responds, “I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24), showing that imperfect faith, honestly offered, is enough for Jesus to act.
summaryJesus turns a hesitant “if” into a triumphant certainty. By echoing the father’s words, He exposes doubt, then floods the moment with divine possibility, anchoring it all in believing trust.Mark 9:23 teaches that God’s power has no limits, and faith is the open door through which that power flows into real-life needs.
(23)
If thou canst believe.--The better MSS. omit the word "believe," and the sentence without it is taken as expressing the sadness of surprise. Our Lord repeats the half-believing, half-despairing words of the father in a tone of sadness,
If thou canst. . . . Was this the way in which a man should speak who came to Him as a Healer? Such a one had to learn the great primary lesson that "all things were possible to him that believeth," that the secret of previous failure lay, in part at least, in his own want of faith, as well as in that of the scribes and disciples who had tried their arts of exorcism in vain.
Verses 23, 24. - The most approved reading here is, not
Αἴ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, but simply
Αἴ δύνασαι, So that the English rendering is
, If thou canst! All things are possible to him that believeth. Our Lord takes up the father's words. It is as though he said, "Thou sayest to me, 'If thou canst do anything!' Ah, that 'If thou canst!' All things are possible to him that believeth." In other words, our Lord said to him, "Believe in me, and your child shall be healed." It was right that Christ should demand faith in himself; for it was not fitting that he should confer his special benefits on those who disbelieved or doubted about him - that he should thrust his blessings on those who were unworthy of them. The answer of the father is touching and beautiful. Greatly agitated, he cried out and said (we might well suppose (
μετὰ δακρύων "with tears," although the weight of evidence is against this addition being retained in the text), I believe; help thou mine unbelief. It is as though he said," I do believe; but my faith is weak. Do thou, therefore, increase and strengthen it; so that whatever there is in me of doubt or remaining unbelief may be taken away, and I may be counted worthy to obtain from thee this blessing for my son." Nor can we doubt that Christ heard a prayer so humble and so fervent, and took away from him the last remains of doubt and unbelief.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
“IfΕἰ(Ei)Conjunction
Strong's 1487:If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.You can?”δύνῃ(dynē)Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1410:(a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.echoedεἶπεν(eipen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036:Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.Jesus.Ἰησοῦς(Iēsous)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.“All thingsπάντα(panta)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.are possibleδυνατὰ(dynata)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1415:(a) of persons: powerful, able, (b) of things: possible. From dunamai; powerful or capable; neuter possible.to him whoτῷ(tō)Article - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.believes!”πιστεύοντι(pisteuonti)Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4100:From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.
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NT Gospels: Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him If you can (Mar Mk Mr) 
