John Calvin on Mark 9:24-37

24. Lord, I believe. He declares that he believes, and yet acknowledges himself to have unbelief These two statements may appear to contradict each other, but there is none of us that does not experience both of them in himself. As our faith is never perfect, it follows that we are partly unbelievers; but God forgives us, and exercises such forbearance towards us, as to reckon us believers on account of a small portion of faith. It is our duty, in the meantime, carefully to shake off the remains of infidelity which adhere to us, to strive against them, and to pray to God to correct them, and, as often as we are engaged in this conflict, to fly to him for aid. If we duly inquire what portion has been bestowed on each, it will evidently appear that there are very few who are eminent in faith, few who have a moderate portion, and very many who have but a small measure.

Matthew 17:19-21; Mark 9:28-29; Luke 17:5-6

Matthew 17:19-21

Mark 9:28-29

Luke 17:5-6

19. Then the disciples, coming to Jesus apart, said, Why could not we cast it out? 20. And Jesus said to them, On account of your unbelief; for verily I say to you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, you shall say to this mountain. Remove thou hence, and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you. 21. But this kind “Mais ceste sorte [de diables] ne sort point;” — “but this kind [of devils] goeth not out.” goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

28. And when he had entered into the house, his disciples asked him apart, Why could not we cast out? 29. And he said to them, This kind “Ceste espece [de diables] ne sort point;” — “this kind [of devils] goeth not out.” cannot go out in any other way than by prayer and fasting.

5. And the apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith. 6. And the Lord said, If you had faith as a grain of mustard-seed, you might say to this sycamore tree. Be thou rooted up and planted in the sea; and it would obey you.