Road
These days we tend to think of "roads" as smooth swaths of pavement and judge them by how fast we can drive cars on them. A "path" is something different, suitable only for walking or maybe bicycles, and a "way" has more to do with giving directions than any physical reality. When we get "lost" it usually means we're in a car on an unfamiliar road -- a far cry from being in the middle of a trackless wilderness with no idea which direction to go. The ancient world was very different, with isolated towns and endless square miles of trackless wilderness. Then a "way" was a set of landmarks to follow to get from one place to another through the wilderness. A "path" was a way used enough to leave a visible trace on the ground, and a "road" was a heavily used path, easily followed and walkable. So it makes sense that when used in the Bible, all three terms represent guiding truth, ideas that lead us where we want to go. This is pictured in the modern use of "way" -- when we talk about the "way" to do something or the "way" to get somewhere. We're talking about the correct, best, most efficient method of doing something or getting somewhere. And it's good information -- truth -- that helps us find that best way.
Mark 9:17-29
17
One of the multitude answered, "Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit;
18
and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren't able."
19
He answered him, "Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me."
20
They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.
21
He asked his father, "How long has it been since this has come to him?" He said, "From childhood.
22
Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us."
23
Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
24
Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, "I believe. Help my unbelief!"
25
When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!"
26
Having cried out, and convulsed greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, "He is dead."
27
But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose.
28
When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we cast it out?"
29
He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting."
