The Boy with an Evil Spirit

(Matthew 17:14–18, Luke 9:37–42)

14 [When] they returned to the [other] disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw [Jesus], they were filled with awe and ran to greet Him.

16 “What are you disputing with them?” He asked

17 Someone in the crowd replied “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit [that makes him] mute. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.[fn] I asked Your disciples to drive it out but they were unable.”

19 “O unbelieving generation!” [Jesus] replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring [the boy] to Me.”

20 So they brought him and seeing [Jesus], the spirit immediately threw [the boy] into a convulsion He fell to the ground [and] rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

21 [Jesus] asked [the boy’s] father, “How long {has} this been with him?” “From childhood,” he said. 22 It often throws him into [the] fire [or] into [the] water, trying to kill him. But if You can [do] anything, have compassion on us [and] help us.”

23 “If You can?” echoed Jesus “All things are possible to him who believes!”

24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “[You] deaf and mute spirit,” He said “I command you to come out and never enter him {again}.”

26 After shrieking and convulsing him violently, [the spirit] came out. [The boy] became like a corpse, so that many said “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand [and] helped him to his feet and he stood up.

28 After [Jesus] had gone into [the] house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out

29 [Jesus] answered “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”[fn]