The Boy with an Evil Spirit

(Matthew 17:14–18, Luke 9:37–42)

[When] [Jesus] returned to the [other] disciples, He saw[fn] 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 the scribes.[fn]

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 vvv 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 vvv 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 believe!” said Jesus“All things are possible to him who believes!”

24 

Immediately the vvv boy’s father cried out with tears,“Lord, I do believe;[fn] help my unbelief!”

25 

When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit.“[You] mute and deaf[fn] 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 vvv privately,“Why couldn’t we drive it out

29 

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

30