In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus’ disciples had attempted to cast out a demon from a boy but were unsuccessful. When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not drive it out, Jesus replied, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). Here are some key points to understand Jesus’ statement:
1. The demon was unusually powerful and resistant
The context implies that this was no ordinary demon. The father tells Jesus that the spirit had been afflicting his son since childhood, causing him to foam at the mouth, gnash his teeth, and become rigid (Mark 9:18). The disciples, who had previously been successful in casting out demons (Mark 6:13), were unable to drive this one out. This suggests the disciples encountered a demon that was too powerful for them to exorcise by their own power or regular methods.
2. The disciples’ spiritual power was ineffective
Casting out demons normally required spiritual power from God. When sending out the Twelve, Jesus had “given them authority over unclean spirits” (Mark 6:7). Now, however, the disciples discover their divinely-sourced power is insufficient for this demon. Jesus implies their failure is due to lack of prayer and dependence on God (Mark 9:19). The implication is that prayer connects the disciple to God’s power.
3. Fasting intensifies prayer
Prayer is necessary but not enough – prayer accompanied by fasting is required. Biblical fasting typically involved abstaining from food for a spiritual purpose. Fasting humbles the soul before God (Ps 69:10) and signifies an intense spiritual desire and dependence. Jesus expected the discipline of fasting to intensify the disciples’ prayers and make them effective for spiritual warfare.
4. The kind of spiritual power necessary
Ordinary spiritual power would not suffice in this situation – an extraordinary power from God accessible through intense prayer and fasting was required. Jesus may also have been emphasizing that power over this kind of demon was only achievable through God’s power, not any magical technique or their own abilities.
Martin Dibelius suggests the words “this kind” imply there are different classes of demons.[1] Archibald Thomas Robertson argues it refers more to the class of power needed rather than the class of demon itself.[2] In either case, Jesus indicates His disciples need a greater than normal dependence on God through prayer and self-humiliation to exorcise it.
5. Character development for the disciples
More than just the demon, Jesus may have had the disciples themselves in mind. Two other incidents follow where Jesus corrects the disciples’ misunderstandings and teaches them humility (Mark 9:30-37). William Lane suggests Jesus intended the disciples’ failure to teach them the power of faith.[3] The subsequent teaching implies Jesus allowed the failure to discipline the disciples against spiritual pride and develop greater humility and dependence on divine power.
6. Example of Jesus’ spiritual discipline
Importantly, Jesus Himself modeled such spiritual discipline and dependence. Immediately after rebuking the disciples, the passage says He prayed before commanding the demon to leave the boy (Mark 9:29). Jesus practiced what He preached. His prayer before the exorcism reminds the disciples that His own power comes from continual communion with the Father.
Jesus’ statement about prayer and fasting occurs only in Mark’s gospel, which highlights Jesus’ teachings for disciples.[4] For Mark, the episode shows Jesus as the model Son in whom God is well-pleased (Mark 1:11), whereas the disciples are still learning to become sons of God.[5] It reinforces that Jesus, God’s Son, has authority and power the disciples lacked.
7. Connection to Mark’s theme of spiritual conflict
Scholars note that Mark’s gospel emphasizes spiritual warfare between God and demonic powers.[6] This episode occurs within a section portraying Jesus in conflict with spiritual forces (Mark 8:11-9:32). Philip Carrington notes Jesus’ statement sets up the coming showdown between the powerful demon and the Christ.[7] The subsequent casting out signifies Jesus’ ultimate supremacy over evil spiritual powers.
Mark’s original audience faced persecution and spiritual turmoil, so this emphasis encouraged them.[8] They take hope knowing Christ has supreme power and authority over all demonic spirits. The passage reminds them to draw on divine power through intense prayer when facing spiritual battles.
The overall thrust of the passage encourages Mark’s persecuted readers to persevere in prayer and reliance on God’s supreme power and authority in Christ, rather than presumptuously rely on their own spiritual abilities and power.
8. Significance of Jesus’ example for believers
This passage holds important principles for believers. It reminds us that prayer connects us to God’s power. Since prayer is speaking with God, maintaining and deepening that connection requires time and devoted effort. Fasting is still appropriate when believers need to fortify prayers in special spiritual battles or seasons.
Most importantly, Jesus exemplifies the prayer life He expects of His followers. Believers draw spiritual power and authority from their union with Christ. As disciples, we are called to imitate Jesus’ example of continual prayer and reliance on the Father through the Spirit. This posture of humble dependence and submission to God stands against spiritual pride.
When facing spiritual battles, we gain victory through prayer that draws on divine power, not our own abilities. Believers have assurance of God’s ultimate supremacy over demonic spiritual forces. United to Christ, we share in His authority over the powers of darkness. His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9).
9. Connection to Jesus’ other teachings on prayer
Prayer was vital to Jesus’ own spiritual life and relationship to the Father. Throughout His ministry, Jesus taught His followers “at all times to pray” (Luke 18:1). In Luke 11:1, when the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, He provides the Lord’s Prayer as a model. Jesus teaches them to approach God intimately as Father and to align their desires with His purposes.
Jesus instructs His followers to persist in prayer and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). He assures them God hears and answers believing prayer (Matt 21:22). He encourages boldness and audacity in praying (Luke 11:5-13). Jesus expects His disciples to devote themselves regularly to prayer, as He did.
This episode in Mark thus aligns with Jesus’ broader emphasis on prayer as essential to the spiritual life. Here, He specifically highlights focused, fervent prayer – undergirded by fasting – as vital for power in spiritual warfare. But the passage agrees with Jesus’ overall teaching on prayer as the way to receive from and connect intimately to our Heavenly Father.
10. Connection to spiritual disciplines in the early church
Both prayer and fasting became core spiritual disciplines in the early church following Jesus’ teaching and practice:[9]
- The disciples “devoted themselves to prayer” after Jesus’ ascension (Acts 1:14; 2:42).
- Peter and John continued the regular practice of prayer (Acts 3:1).
- The Jerusalem church appointed deacons so the apostles could focus on prayer and ministry (Acts 6:4).
- Paul often requested prayer and mentions praying constantly (Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18).
- Fasting accompanied important moments such as appointing leaders (Acts 13:3; 14:23).
This precedent continued in later church history with regular fixed hours of prayer and weekly fasting. Jesus’ teaching on combining fasting with vital prayer in spiritual warfare set the pattern for the growing church.
Conclusion
Jesus’ statement that this resistant demon required prayer and fasting highlights core principles. It reminds believers of the vital connection between prayer and divine power. It illustrates the need for intense, focused prayer when engaged in spiritual battles. Most importantly, Jesus modeled the humble dependence on God He expected of His disciples. This event fits within Jesus’ overall emphasis on heartfelt, persistent prayer as essential to the spiritual life.
Through this experience, Jesus taught His disciples to eschew spiritual pride and draw close to God, rather than rely on their own abilities. By emphasizing prayer and fasting, Jesus prepared them for victorious spiritual warfare through reliance on God’s supreme power and authority.
