Mark 9:21

Asked his father. A detail recorded only by Mark.

How long? This is the only recorded instance where Jesus made specific inquiry of the case history of one whom He healed. His reasons for doing so upon this occasion are not entirely clear. Possibly He called upon the father to give a description of the disease and its effects in order that those standing by might fully appreciate the boy’s grave condition (see on v. 18). It may have been for this reason that Christ permitted the evil spirit to convulse the boy as it came out (see on v. 26).