Mark 9:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When he mentioned ‘since childhood,’ and asked, ‘If you can do anything, ... help us,’ the Savior responded, “All things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:20-22), correcting him once again. When the leper approached Him, saying, ‘If thou wilt, thou canst cleanse me,’ acknowledging His divine authority, the Lord affirmed him by responding, ‘I will, be cleansed’ (Lk. 5:12-13). In contrast, this individual did not express belief worthy of His power; he merely uttered, ‘If you can do anything, ... help us.’ Notice how Christ rectified this misunderstanding.

The Lord inquired of the boy's father, asking about his age and the reason for his condition. This question was posed to awaken a sense of faith within him, guiding him from doubt towards belief and ultimately to prayer. The father was so distant from faith that he did not even seek prayer for his son's deliverance. He did not approach the Disciples for help, as is noted when he mentioned, "Rech them, that they may wear him out," and he did not fall down before them to plead or implore. It is clear that he did not come to the Lord at all. In His mercy, the Lord allowed the youth to remain before Him and took the initiative to ask about the duration of his affliction, encouraging the father to seek assistance.

He inquired of his father the duration of his affliction, desiring to reveal the miraculous power to all. The father responded that this had been the case since his youth.

Jesus approached the afflicted individual and inquired of his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" The father responded and pleaded with Jesus for compassion and assistance, but in saying, "If you are able to do anything," he inadvertently expressed doubt regarding His divine ability to perform miracles.

After rebuking the disciples for their insufficient faith, which was the root of their failure, the Savior commanded that the sick boy be brought to Him. Once the boy was presented, he was immediately struck by another episode of his torment, collapsing to the ground in intense convulsions and foaming at the mouth. This was one of the most dreadful manifestations of demonic possession, and even in the presence of the Savior, the father struggled to quell his doubts regarding the possibility of healing.