New Living Translation
Mark 9:23
23“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Mark 9:23 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
- New International Version (NIV)“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes."
- New King James Version (NKJV)Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Context of Mark 9:23
21“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” 25When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”
Read all of Mark 9Mark 9:23 word by word
Ὁ δὲ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτῷ· τὸ εἰ δύνῃ πάντα δυνατὰ τῷ πιστεύοντι.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Mark 9:23
- Mark 11:23I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.
- 2 Chronicles 20:20Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
- Matthew 17:20“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”
- Matthew 21:21Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
- Luke 17:6The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!
- John 4:48Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?”
- John 11:40Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?”
- Acts 14:9and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed.
- Hebrews 11:6And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Commentaries on Mark 9:23
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23If Thou canst Believe - This was an answer to the inquiry above. I can furnish a sufficiency of power, if thou canst but bring faith to receive it. Why are not our souls completely healed? Why is not every demon cast out? Why are not pride, self-will, love of the world, lust, anger, peevishness, with all the other bad tempers and dispositions which constitute the mind of Satan, entirely destroyed? Alas! it is because we do not believe; Jesus is able…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14-29Verses 14-29 See this passage explained in the notes at Matthew 17:14-21. Mark 9:14 Questioning with them - Debating with the disciples, and attempting to confound them. This he saw as he came down from the mount. In his absence they had taken occasion to attempt to perplex and confound his followers. Mark 9:15 Were greatly amazed - Were astonished and surprised at his sudden appearance among them. Saluted him - Received him with the customary marks of…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-29Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23Jesus urged the man to trust in the power of God. Anything is possible if a person believes (see 11:22–24). But a lack of faith can limit how people receive God’s saving work (see 6:5).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe--The man had said, "If Thou canst do anything." Jesus replies. all things are possible to him that believeth--"My doing all depends on thy believing." To impress this still more, He redoubles upon the believing: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Thus the Lord helps the birth of faith in that struggling soul; and now, though with pain and sore travail, it comes to the…Read the comment
Topics related to Mark 9:23
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Mark 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Catena Aurea
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- John Lightfoot Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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