Mark 9:28-31 - Why couldn't we drive it out?

9:28,29

When in private with Jesus, the disciples ask Him why they were unable to drive out the demon from the boy. Jesus replied “this kind can come out only by prayer”, some manuscripts add “and fasting”. This seems a rather strange answer. The parallel passage in Matthew says it was because they had so little faith (Matt 17:20). Now Jesus had previously sent them out with authority to drive out demons, so maybe they had started to think they had the power within themselves, rather than from God.

9:30,31

Jesus considered spending time teaching His disciples. Things are no different today. It is also easy to have all our time occupied with various things. Much of this will be good, but we also need to spend time alone with the Lord. Jesus needed His disciples to understand what His ministry was all about, and therefore what their ministry would be all about.  The cross and resurrection were central to this. So Jesus once again tells them that He “is going to be delivered into the hands of men”. “Be delivered” is passive, God was going to deliver the Son into the hands of men. Outwardly it would seem as if men (the Jews and the Romans) were in charge, but in reality it was God who was in charge.