And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child.

And he asked his father: How long time is it since this hath happened unto him? But he said: From his infancy:

And he asked his father, How long a time is it that it has been like this with him? And he said, From childhood;

And he asked his father, How long is it since this came to him? and he said, From a child.

And he questioned his father, 'How long time is it since this came to him?' and he said, 'From childhood,

Then Jesus asked the father, "How long has he been like this?" "From early childhood," he said;

And Jesus questioning the father said, How long has he been like this? And he said, From a child.

And he questioned his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" But he said: "From infancy.

"How long has he been like this?" Jesus asked the boy's father.

From a child. Hence we infer that this punishment was not inflicted on account of the sins of the individual, but was a secret judgment of God. True indeed, even infants, as soon as they have come out of the womb, are not innocent in the sight of God, or free from guilt; but God's chastisements have sometimes hidden causes, and are intended to try our obedience. We do not render to God the honor which is due to Him, unless with reverence and modesty we adore His justice, when it is concealed from us. Whoever wishes to obtain more full information on this point, may consult my Commentary on these words, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents, (John 9:3.)

And he asked his father,.... As he lay rolling about in this miserable condition, that the length and stubbornness of his disorder might be known, and so the cure the more remarkable, and appear the more expressive of his divine power and goodness:
how long is it ago since this came unto him? since this evil spirit entered into him, and these disorders have attended him?
and he said of a child; or "from his infancy"; so that it was not for any actual sin that he had committed, that this sore affiction came upon him; and yet he could not be without sin, since it was not agreeable to the justice, mercy, and goodness of God, to afflict, or suffer to be afflicted, one that is innocent; and therefore must be tainted with original sin, which is the source and spring of all afflictions, calamities and judgments.

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child, &c.--Having told briefly the affecting features of the case, the poor father, half dispirited by the failure of the disciples and the aggravated virulence of the malady itself in presence of their Master, yet encouraged too by what he had heard of Christ, by the severe rebuke He had given to His disciples for not having faith enough to cure the boy, and by the dignity with which He had ordered him to be brought to Him--in this mixed state of mind, he closes his description of the case with these touching words: