Pressing into what we believe about Jesus: Conquers Every Stronghold | Mark 9
Pressing into what we believe about Jesus: Conquers Every Stronghold
“And he said unto them, This kind can by no other means come forth, but by prayer and fasting.” — Mark 9:29
This is one of the most controversial and misunderstood text of all of scripture…
Hermeneutic: A method or set of principles used to interpret and understand the meaning of a text, particularly Scripture.
Introduction: Mark is a fast-paced scene driven narrative
- “Immediately” (euthys) appears more than 40 times, rapidly moving the narrative from one scene to another….the same amount of times in the rest of scripture.
- The historical present tense occurs roughly 150 times by some counts, describing past events as though they are happening before our eyes: Jesus comes, Jesus says, Jesus heals. Luke uses “immediately 1 time, and the historical present, 4–6 times.
3 Hermeneutics
- Narrative criticism — Examines how scenes, characters, conflicts, and plot communicate meaning.
- Typological interpretation — Recognizes persons, events, and patterns that anticipate or illuminate larger biblical realities, particularly their fulfillment in Christ.
- Intertextual interpretation — Examines how one biblical scene echoes, recalls, or develops another biblical passage, especially in direct applications of the gospels and the specific instructions in the epistles.
Consider Superman: the hero comes from another world, possesses extraordinary power, sacrifices himself for humanity, and in some versions returns from death.
Or consider Shakespeare's Macbeth. The blood, darkness, sleeplessness, and violent struggle for kingship communicate guilt, corruption, and judgment through dramatic imagery. The meaning emerges not merely from word definitions but from what happens onstage.
Mark 9:14-29 1599 Geneva Bible
14 And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the Scribes disputing with them. 15 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were amazed, and ran to him, and saluted him. 16 Then he asked the Scribes, What dispute you among yourselves? 17 And one of the company answered, and said, Master, I have brought my son unto thee, which hath a dumb spirit: 18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him, and he foameth, and gnasheth his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples, that they should cast him out, and they could not. 19 Then he answered him, and said, O faithless generation, how long now shall I be with you! how long now shall I suffer you! Bring him unto me. 20 So they brought him unto him: and as soon as the spirit saw him, he tare him, and he fell down on the ground wallowing and foaming. 21 Then he asked his father, How long time is it since he hath been thus? And he said, Of a child. 22 And oft times he casteth him into the fire, and into the water to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, help us, and have compassion upon us. 23 And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe it, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24 And straightway the father of the child crying with tears, said, Lord, I believe: help my unbelief. 25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 Then the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out, and he was as one dead, insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus took his hand, and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him secretly, Why could not we cast him out? 29 And he said unto them, This kind can by no other means come forth, but by prayer and fasting.
- Pressing into what we believe about King Jesus: Conquers Every Stronghold
“And he said unto them, This kind can by no other means come forth, but by prayer and fasting.” — Mark 9:29
- Let’s use Typological interpretation — Recognizes persons, events, and patterns that anticipate or illuminate larger biblical realities, particularly their fulfillment in Christ.
Information / Illustration
“THIS KIND” — Mark 9
“THIS KIND” — MARK 9
1. THE FLESH — DEATH
The fallen nature of man
Mark 9:21 — Afflicted since childhood.
Genesis 3 — The Fall of mankind.
Romans 5:12 — Sin entered the world, and death came through sin.
Biblical Connection: The Fall brought sin and death into the world.
2. SATAN — HELL
The judgment of all sin
Mark 9:22 — Cast into the fire.
Matthew 25:41 — Everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Mark 9:43 — The fire that never shall be quenched.
Biblical Connection: Hell was prepared for Satan and his angels.
3. THE WORLD — THE GRAVE
The system of death
Mark 9:26 — He was as one dead.
1 John 5:19 — The whole world lieth in wickedness.
Revelation 20:13–14 — Death and hell deliver up the dead and are cast into the lake of fire.
Biblical Connection: The world lies under the power of wickedness, and humanity faces death and the grave.
THE FLESH. SATAN. THE WORLD.
DEATH. HELL. THE GRAVE.
“THIS KIND” — MARK 9
1. THE FLESH — DEATH
The fallen nature of man
Mark 9:21 — Afflicted since childhood.
Genesis 3 — The Fall of mankind.
Romans 5:12 — Sin entered the world, and death came through sin.
Biblical Connection: The Fall brought sin and death into the world.
2. SATAN — HELL
The judgment of all sin
Mark 9:22 — Cast into the fire.
Matthew 25:41 — Everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
Mark 9:43 — The fire that never shall be quenched.
Biblical Connection: Hell was prepared for Satan and his angels.
3. THE WORLD — THE GRAVE
The system of death
Mark 9:26 — He was as one dead.
1 John 5:19 — The whole world lieth in wickedness.
Revelation 20:13–14 — Death and hell deliver up the dead and are cast into the lake of fire.
Biblical Connection: The world lies under the power of wickedness, and humanity faces death and the grave.
Argument
“This Kind” is everything we contend with.
“There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry: Mine!”[1] - Abraham Kuyper
“There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan.”[2] - C. S. Lewis — Mere Christianity
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” - Colossians 1:16–17 (KJV)
Application
“THIS KIND”
- “Of a child.” — Mark 9:21
THE FLESH — DEATH (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12)
- Sin… “I just can't conquer this addiction…”
- Temptation… “No matter how hard I try, I keep…”
- Bondage… “I've struggled with this my entire life…”
- “He hath cast him into the fire.” — Mark 9:22
SATAN — HELL (Matthew 25:41; Mark 9:43)
- Shame… “I'll never get past what I've done…”
- Condemnation… “God could never forgive me for…”
- Accusation… “Every time I try to move forward, my past…”
- “He was as one dead.” — Mark 9:26
THE WORLD — THE GRAVE (1 John 5:19; Revelation 20:13–14)
- The System… “Even if I conquer my sin and overcome my guilt, I'm still trapped in a world that…”
- Hopelessness… “No matter what I change, the world around me…”
- Pressing Into what we believe about King Jesus: Conquers Every Stronghold
“And he said unto them, This kind can by no other means come forth, but by prayer and fasting.” — Mark 9:29
Argument
-Is prayer and fasting a “work” in which we convince God to do war on our behalf?
-Can we manipulate the Almighty by missing a few meals, and praying on a schedule five times a day?
Information: Prayer and Fasting is… “Pressing into what we believe about Jesus”
- So let’s use: Narrative criticism — Examines how scenes, characters, conflicts, and plot communicate meaning….what is going on in this story?
Then he answered him, and said, O faithless generation, how long now shall I be with you! how long now shall I suffer you! Bring him unto me. -Mark 9:19
And Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe it, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child crying with tears, said, Lord, I believe: help my unbelief. -Mark 9:23-24
So they brought him unto him: and as soon as the spirit saw him, he tare him, and he fell down on the ground wallowing and foaming -Mark 19:20
Illustration:
- The leper is cleansed! — “I will: be thou clean.” — Mark 1:41
- The paralyzed man rises and walks! — “Arise, and take up thy bed.” — Mark 2:11
- The storm obeys His voice! — “Peace, and be still.” — Mark 4:39
- Legion falls down and worships Him! — “He ran, and worshipped him.” — Mark 5:6
- The woman with the issue of blood is healed! — “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up.” — Mark 5:29
- Jairus's daughter is raised from the dead! — “Damsel (I say unto thee) arise.” — Mark 5:41
- Five thousand are fed with five loaves! — “They that did eat of the loaves, were about five thousand men.” — Mark 6:44
- Jesus walks on the sea! — “He came unto them, walking upon the sea.” — Mark 6:48
- Four thousand are fed with seven loaves! — “So they did eat, and were sufficed.” — Mark 8:8
- Jesus is transfigured in glory! — “And his raiment did shine, and was very white as snow.” — Mark 9:3
HE HAS AUTHORITY OVER DISEASE, DEMONS, NATURE, DEATH, CREATION, AND THE GRAVE!
“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” - Colossians 1:16–17 (KJV)
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” - Colossians 1:13–14 (KJV)
Application:
- Intertextual interpretation — Examines how one biblical scene echoes, recalls, or develops another biblical passage, especially in direct applications of the gospels and the specific instructions in the epistles.
How do we “press into what we believe about King Jesus?”
Pressing into what we believe about Jesus: Conquers Every Stronghold
- WE ASK — Bring Our Unbelief to Jesus!
“Lord, I believe: help mine unbelief.” — Mark 9:24
“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” — Matthew 7:7
- WE PRAY — All Day, Every Day!
“Pray without ceasing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Give us this day our daily bread.” — Matthew 6:11
“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1
- WE FAST — Set Aside the Temporal for the Eternal!
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2
- Biblical Immersion — Let Scripture Shape Us.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” — Psalm 119:105
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17
- WE GATHER — Build Up the Body of Christ!
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another.” — Hebrews 10:25
“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” — Colossians 3:16
- WE TESTIFY — Tell the World What King Jesus Has Done!
“Go thy way home to thy friends, and show them what great things the Lord hath done unto thee, and how he hath had compassion on thee. So he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis, what great things Jesus had done unto him: and all men did marvel.” — Mark 5:19 - 20
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” — Revelation 12:11
“Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” — Psalm 66:16
[1] Abraham Kuyper, “Sphere Sovereignty,” in Abraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader, ed. James D. Bratt (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 1998), 488.
[2] C. S. Lewis, A Mind Awake: An Anthology of C. S. Lewis (2003), 168.