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Response
Jesus’ statement in Mark 9:23 concerning the power available to those who believe is a topic of debate. However, the context of Mark 9 provides a clear explanation of Jesus’ words. Mark 9 describes a situation where a father seeks help from Jesus’ disciples to cast a demon out of his son. Jesus intervenes and inquires about the situation. The father explains that the disciples were unable to drive out the demon. Jesus responds, “You unbelieving generation, . . . how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?” «He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. », (Mark 9:19). The father then implores Jesus to have compassion on them and help cast out the demon «And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. », (Mark 9:22). Jesus then states, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” «Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. », (Mark 9:23, NKJV).
The term “believes” is a participle that can be literally translated as “the believing one.” Jesus indicates that everything is achievable through belief in Him! The Amplified Bible provides a more detailed translation of Jesus’ statement: “All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!” Faith plays a crucial role in this narrative. Some argue that Jesus is referring to the intensity of one’s belief. However, the main point is not the father’s level of confidence in Jesus’ ability to heal his son. The crux of the matter is not how strongly or confidently the father believed, but rather the act of believing itself.E is the object of one’s belief. The disciples didn’t need more faith but more focused faith. Put another way, the disciples needed to place their belief in the correct object—Jesus Christ.
In Mark 9:22, the father asks for Jesus’ help, beginning his appeal with “If you can do anything.” Jesus’ initial response to the father in Mark 9:23 takes issue with how the father framed his request: “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asks. “Anything is possible if a person believes” (NLT). Proper belief in who Jesus is would have given the father confidence in Jesus’ ability to cast out the demon. After hearing this, the father exclaims that he does believe, and if there is any deficiency, he requests that Jesus help his unbelief (verse 24). Mark 9:25–29 reveals the person and power necessary to cast out the demon. As Jesus states in verse 29, prayer is necessary because the Person needed for such a task is God Himself. The object of one’s faith is critical.
Jesus makes a remarkable statement in Mark 9:23. If we misunderstand the statement that “all things are possible to him who believes,” we set ourselves up for disappointment. Jesus’ words are not a promise that we can do whatever we want; rather, He makes it clear that the believing one has power only due to whom he believes in; namely, Jesus, the Son of God. The power is God’s, accessed through faith and prayer according to His will «And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: », (see 1 John 5:14). It is because of God that the believing one can accomplish much. It is by God’s grace the disciples would accomplish incredible and miraculous things after Jesus’ departure (cf: Acts 3:1-10). As we live for Jesus, let us focus on the object of our belief «looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith».He who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
