17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
17 And someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.
17 A man out of the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless by a demon, to you.
17 Then one of the crowd answered and said, "Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.
17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, "Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won't let him talk.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 9:17
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.