Epileptic Boy Notes — AQA Religious Studies A 8062

Explain the events and teachings on faith derived from the healing of the epileptic (demon-possessed) boy in Mark 9:14-29.

A suffering boy and disciples who cannot help

In Mark 9:14–29, Jesus heals a boy after his disciples have failed to help him. The episode explores faith: trust in God and his power. It also shows Jesus’ compassion and authority over evil.

Jesus responds, “You unbelieving generation” (Mark 9:19), and tells them to bring the boy to him. His words criticise the lack of faith surrounding the situation. Even those close to Jesus still need to learn to trust in God.

The father’s mixture of faith and doubt

When the boy is brought to Jesus, he falls to the ground in another convulsion. Jesus asks the father how long this has been happening. The father answers that it has happened since childhood and that the spirit has often thrown his son into fire or water, threatening his life. His request for pity and help reveals how desperately the family needs relief.

The father asks Jesus to help “if you can”. Jesus challenges this uncertainty, saying, “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). The focus shifts from questioning Jesus’ ability to the importance of trusting him. For Christians, this teaches that God’s power is not limited by what seems possible to human beings.

The father replies, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). This is not simply a refusal to believe. He already trusts Jesus enough to ask for help, but recognises that his trust is incomplete. He asks Jesus to strengthen it.

The father therefore provides a realistic example of faith: belief and doubt can exist together. Christians may understand his response as encouragement to bring their uncertainties to God rather than hide them. Jesus goes on to heal the boy despite the father’s admitted doubts, so the story does not present perfect confidence as a condition of receiving help.

Jesus heals and restores the boy

Jesus commands the deaf and mute spirit to leave the boy and never enter him again. This is an exorcism: the driving out of an evil or impure spirit.

The spirit cries out, convulses the boy violently and leaves him. The boy then looks so much like a corpse that many people say he is dead. However, Jesus takes him by the hand, lifts him to his feet and he stands up.

The contrast is important: the disciples were unable to help, but Jesus’ command succeeds. Christians understand the miracle as evidence of Jesus’ authority over evil and of God’s power. His action also answers the father’s plea for compassion, restoring the suffering boy rather than merely winning an argument with the teachers of the law.

Prayer and dependence on God

Later, indoors, the disciples privately ask Jesus why they could not drive out the spirit. He answers, “This kind can come out only by prayer” (Mark 9:29).

Prayer means communicating with God. Here, its importance is dependence on God rather than reliance on personal ability. Being a disciple does not make someone spiritually self-sufficient: followers of Jesus still need to turn to God for help.

The father’s appeal and Jesus’ final teaching belong together. The father admits his weakness and asks for help; the disciples must learn that their work also depends on God. Christians can apply these teachings by praying during difficulties, asking for stronger faith and acknowledging the limits of their own strength. The emphasis is on trust in God, not treating faith as a technique that automatically produces whatever someone wants.

Recall the sequence: Mark 9:14–29

A father brings his suffering son; the disciples cannot drive out the impure spirit.
Jesus criticises the “unbelieving generation”.
The father asks for help “if you can”; Jesus challenges his doubt.
The father admits both belief and unbelief.
Jesus commands the spirit to leave permanently, then lifts the boy to his feet.
In private, Jesus tells the disciples that prayer is necessary.

Three teachings on faith

Trust in God’s power: “Everything is possible for one who believes” (9:23).
Faith can coexist with doubt: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (9:24). The father asks Jesus to strengthen his trust.
Dependence on God: “This kind can come out only by prayer” (9:29). Disciples must not rely solely on themselves.

Significance of the healing

Jesus succeeds where the disciples failed: Christians see his authority over evil, divine power and compassion for the boy and his father.

For a question about teachings on faith, explain what each event or quotation teaches rather than only retelling the healing.

Use two distinct teachings, such as trust in Jesus and dependence on God through prayer. Develop each with a reason or explanation.

Support your explanation with an accurate quotation or reference to Mark 9:14–29. A relevant reference can be a precise description of an event; it need not be a direct quotation.

The crowd thought the boy was dead, but Mark does not say that he died. Describe Jesus lifting him up, not raising him from the dead.

Trust in God and his power, including reliance on him even when a person experiences doubt.

Communicating with God, for example by asking for help or expressing trust and dependence on him.

Driving an evil or impure spirit out of a person. Mark presents Jesus’ healing of the boy as an exorcism.

An extraordinary event understood by religious believers as an act of divine power.

A follower who learns from a religious teacher. In this passage, Jesus’ disciples are unable to drive out the spirit and later ask him why.