28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
28 And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"
28 After arriving back home, his disciples cornered Jesus and asked, "Why couldn't we throw the demon out?"
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"
28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 9:28
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.