What is the meaning of I believe help my unbelief? Let’s answer this important question.
All Things are Possible to Him Who Believes
This quote comes from the Gospel According to Mark:9:23-24:
“Jesus said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”
This quote is a snippet taken from a larger story. We can understand it better with context. What is the meaning of I believe help my unbelief?
A Previous Mission
On a previous mission, Jesus had sent His twelve disciples out two-by-two (Mark 6:6-13). Though they brought limited supplies, Jesus gave them authority, specifically over demons (Mark 6:7). And they were successful in casting them out, even when Jesus wasn’t personally with them:
“So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” (Mark 6:12-13).
A Comparable Mission
Weeks later, nine of the twelve disciples faced a similar situation. Jesus had taken His inner three disciples with Him up on the Mount of Transfiguration:
“Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain, alone by themselves. And He was transfigured before them” (Mark 9:2).
The nine disciples were left with a crowd of people who had seen and/or heard Jesus, and the disciples healed people and cast demons out of them. When Jesus returned from the mountain,
“He came to His other disciples (the nine), He saw a great crowd around them, and the scribes disputing with them” (Mark 9:14).
The Dispute
Jesus asked what the dispute was about, and the father of the possessed boy answered:
“Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. Wherever it takes hold on him, it dashes him to the ground. And he foams at the mouth and gnashes with his teeth and becomes rigid. And I told Your disciples so that they would cast it out, but they could not” (Mark 9:17-18).
What Happened?
The disciples must have wondered. What was different? Was this demon somehow more powerful? Or was Jesus’ authority just temporary? Jesus wasn’t personally present previously, and He hadn’t been present now. So, that shouldn’t be the issue.
When they went on their previous mission and commanded the demons to leave, they left. But this time, though they commanded, the demon ignored them.
When they brought the boy to Jesus, the demon reacted:
“When he (the demon) saw Him (Jesus), immediately the spirit dashed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth” (Mark 9:20).
If You Can?
The nine disciples’ impotence affected the father’s faith. He initially had the faith to bring his son to Jesus, and the disciples believed they could cast the demon out. But, after the disciples couldn’t, he wondered if Jesus could, and his words betrayed his doubt, saying,
“If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us (Mark 9:22).”
Jesus wasn’t having the man’s doubt, but it was understandable from a human perspective. Weren’t they Jesus’ disciples? Hadn’t He given them power over demons? But Jesus responded to faith, not doubt (though sometimes He healed purely out of compassion).
Jesus pointed out the father’s one responsibility. To believe “because all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).
Help My Faith!
The father understood Jesus’ rebuke and responded correctly. He wanted to believe –- he did believe! – but, under the circumstances, he couldn’t help it. The disciples’ ineffectiveness led him, against his will, to doubt. He was desperate! He knew Jesus was the only Person who could heal, so he asked for help with his faith.
Jesus responded by commanding the demon to leave, and he did (Mark 9:25-26), and,
“Many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose” (Mark 9:26-27).
What Happened?
Of course, the disciples wanted to know:
“His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “This kind cannot come out except by prayer…” (Mark 9:28-29).
Depending
In other words, they didn’t depend on Jesus. Jesus’ authority was available to His disciples whether He was personally present. But they couldn’t cast out demons or accomplish other spiritual work under their power. They needed to depend on Jesus and access His authority through prayer.
The disciples’ failure to cast out the demon affected the father’s faith. This caused him to doubt Jesus’ power, and Jesus wouldn’t respond to doubt. But the father sought help from Jesus, even with his faith. Jesus met the boy’s need and answered the father’s call for help.
Do You Have Trouble Believing?
What is the meaning of I believe help my unbelief? Do you doubt Jesus’ ability to save? Do you need help with your faith? You know Who to ask! Please watch the Great News Video on this page to find out how you can believe and have faith in God through Jesus Christ.
