And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Coming down, Jesus finds his other disciples in an argument with scribes, having failed to drive a spirit out of a boy who suffers violent seizures. The father asks Jesus for help 'if you can'; Jesus replies that all things are possible to one who believes, and the father cries, 'I believe; help my unbelief.' Jesus drives out the spirit and raises the boy.
What does this mean?
A 'dumb spirit' (KJV) is one that makes him unable to speak. 'Teareth him' means throws him into convulsions; 'pineth away' means becomes rigid. 'Faithless generation' means unbelieving generation.
Historical context
The symptoms resemble what is now called epilepsy, a condition widely attributed in the ancient world to spirits; Matthew's version uses a word meaning 'moonstruck' (Matthew 17:15). A few important early manuscripts of verse 29 read only 'by prayer', without 'and fasting'.
Why does it matter?
The father's honest mixture of faith and doubt is one of Mark's most memorable moments. The contrast with the glory on the mountain is sharp: the disciples who stayed below are powerless. The boy who seems dead and is 'raised' anticipates the language of resurrection.
Editorial notes, not scripture.