When Jesus and the three disciples joined the others later, they found a situation which the disciples could not deal with. The emphasis in the account is on the continuing need of the disciples for great faith and spiritual strength. They realized their inadequacy and were troubled by it (9:28-29) which marked a small step forward in their spiritual development; they now knew that they still suffered from spiritual blindness and were not merely ignorant of this painful failure.

This is the last exorcism described by Mark and we may now take an overall look at the issue of demon-possession which is a prominent feature of the gospel. A modern doctor might say that many described as demon-possessed in the gospel were mentally or psychologically very ill. But what made them ill?

Even today modern medical science has only begun to understand the many kinds of severe disturbances which can afflict a human being and which are destructive of mental, psychological or emotional balance. Some whom Jesus healed may have been afflicted with diseases such as very severe epilepsy (possibly the boy in Mark 9: 14-29). Christians, however, recognize the possibility of spirit possession in the strict meaning of the word, as a manifestation of the work of the Devil. Mark's gospel certainly maintains this; the exorcism of evil spirits by Jesus signifies that his power was greater than any power of the Devil. Jesus destroys demonic, evil powers which enslave and torment human beings, and liberates them into new life. The exorcisms point towards the final and total destruction of the Devil and all evil at the end of the present age, when the Kingdom of God will be fully manifested.