JMNT(i)
20 So they brought him to Him, and at having seen Him, the spirit (breath-effect; attitude; mood and internal disposition; result of a breath or of breathing) at once violently convulses him and then, falling on the ground, he began rolling and wallowing (or, as a passive: continued being rolled) while continuously frothing at the mouth.
21 So He asked his father, "How much time (or: How long) is it that something like this has happened to him, and continued being thus for him?"
22 And [the father] said, "From childhood on. Further, many times it also throws him into fire or into places of water, so that it might destroy him (or, possibly: that it can loose-away from him). But now, if you continue having power and ability [to do] anything, in instant out-flowing of compassion upon us, come quickly to our aid, and help us!"