21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?""From childhood," he answered.
21 And Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.
21 He asked the boy's father, "How long has this been going on?"
21 So He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.
21 "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father. He replied, "Since he was a little boy.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 9:21
Commentary on Mark 9:14-29
(Read Mark 9:14-29)
The father of the suffering youth reflected on the want of power in the disciples; but Christ will have him reckon the disappointment to the want of faith. Very much is promised to our believing. If thou canst believe, it is possible that thy hard heart may be softened, thy spiritual diseases may be cured; and, weak as thou art, thou mayest be able to hold out to the end. Those that complain of unbelief, must look up to Christ for grace to help them against it, and his grace will be sufficient for them. Whom Christ cures, he cures effectually. But Satan is unwilling to be driven from those that have been long his slaves, and, when he cannot deceive or destroy the sinner, he will cause him all the terror that he can. The disciples must not think to do their work always with the same ease; some services call for more than ordinary pains.