Demons or Disciples?

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Τοῦτο τὸ γένος ἐν οὐδενὶ δύναται ἐξελθεῖν εἰ μὴ ἐν προσευχῇ.

Mark 9.29, SBL Greek NT

Apologies for the clickbait title, but the full version would say, “which was Jesus’ focus: casting out demons or forming His disciples?”

The verse I have quoted is universally translated as if it is about demons; but it can only be about disciples. And yes, it is another example of Jesus using misdirection for effect.

The disciples have come to ask Him, privately, why they couldn’t cast out the demon that had made the boy mute, and which regularly made him roll about and foam and croak (not shriek).

One assumes that the disciples heard Jesus’ answer in the same way every translator has heard it: this kind of demon only comes out by prayer (or by prayer and fasting, if you follow the minority of early papyri).

So what is the problem?

When did Jesus pray in order to cast out this demon? And why did the disciples not record that, with everything else in this story?

You should – we all should – be going just a minute! What is going on here. Jesus never prayed (let alone fasted) for this demon to come out, and yet He is saying that’s how you have to do it for this type of demon!

And, of course, He isn’t.

There are two parts to the disciples’ question. “Why couldn’t we“ and “why couldn’t cast it out”, if you like. Everyone seems to have assumed that Jesus was answering a question about casting out demons; but I think there is no doubt that He was answering the “why couldn’t we” question.

γένος has a hard time from translators. By default it is always translated as “generation” (as in “this wicked generation”) except here, when they can’t use generation of demons so translate it as “type”.

Both of those equivalents are at best marginal. γένος actually means “house”, “family”, or “race”. I think most of Jesus’ use of the word could be best construed as “people”, meaning Israel or the Jews. Here though, I think it is more specific, and I would use “house” or “family”.

Why couldn’t we? Jesus sighs and says, “this house (meaning the citizens of the Kingdom of God on earth) can only come forth (ἐξελθεῖν) through prayer”. In other words, “I am praying for you guys, why do you think I disappear up the nearest mountain before dawn every day. You will get it. Oh, and casting out demons? That is easy, just pay attention.”

And maybe Mark or his source got the message in the end, which is why they didn’t try to insert “Jesus praying for the demonised boy”.

And there is a bigger issue here, which I won’t try to tackle at the back of a post; but Jesus’ number one and only key objective prior to the cross was training the disciples. “Hold on – what about all the people healed and set free”. Sure: so as to train the disciples.

Put it this way: if all Israel had been healed and delivered, and the disciples not trained – we wouldn’t be having this conversation. Once there are disciples who make disciples who make disciples and who all know what the Kingdom looks like and how it operates: everyone gets healed.

But not vice versa.