The lion of St Mark

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

Help my unbelief: Mk 9,14-29

Introduction

We need to begin by looking at how this episode, 9,14-29, fits into this stage of the Gospel story. See how it is introduced in 9,14 and then look back to 9.9 and to 9,2. Next, note the beginning of the following episode, 9,30. What can we conclude from all this? As we read this episode, we will need to consider further just why Mark has placed it here.

Read through the story itself and look for its four stages. Notice what Matthew has as usual done with the story (Mt 17,14-20).
A comparison with Mt 17,14-20 will show how Mark tells this story.

Look at 1,23-27 and see how Mark has developed the scene here. There is at least one obvious editing oddity
Who are the main particpants in the story and who have less important parts to play?

A response would help now.

Set up: 9,14-16

We have seen how verse 14 follows on from the descent from the mountain. Notice the difference with Mt 17,14. What is happening in this verse, who are on the defensive? What then happens in verse 15 and who takes the initiative in verse 16?

The Father: 9,17-24

In verses 17-18, the problem is stated. The Father is typical of a number of characters in the Gospel who just appear in one scene, we have seen 5,21-43 for example. What are we told about the disciples? Look back to 6,7.

Jesus' answer in verse 19 echoes Deuteronmy 32,5, see also Ps 78,8. Note how the adjective introduces the theme which will be central to the discussion. To whom is the reply addressed (see 8,38)?

Verse 20 then describes the boy's symptoms again, we note the agent of the symptoms. This is followed by the father's description of the symptoms. What is the effect of giving so much detail? Consider what the father says in the second half of the verse, perhaps in light of his experience with the disciples.

What does Jesus stress in verse 23 and what response does he get in verse 24?

Exorcism: 9,25-27

We've noted the strange reappearance of the crowd. Compare what Jesus says with 1,25.

Verse 26 then describes the result followed by verse 27 where Jesus acts as we have seen also in 1,31 and 5,35-36.41-42. How might this read in the context of 8,31?

In the house: 9,28-29

We have often seen Jesus having a private session with his disciples, 7,17 for example. What is the importance of Jesus' answer in verse 29? Some manuscripts add "and fasting", why would this addition miss the point?

Time for another look at my response.

Reflection

The first reflection would be to compare the attitude of the father with that of the disciples.

With that in mind, consider how this episode acts as a companion or perhaps a foil to the preceeding scene of the Transfiguration. We noted earlier how the two are linked by the continuity of the story.

Look again at my response.

Our reading now continues as Jesus predicates his fate for the second time, 9,30-50.