Matthew 17:15

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 17:15

Lord, have mercy - The word “Lord” here means “Sir,” a title of civility, not implying divinity.My son - This was an only son (Luke). He was possessed with a devil. This calamity was attended with the following symptoms: he was lunatic (see the notes at Matthew 4:24); he was sore vexed; that is, he suffered greatly, or was greatly afflicted; he fell often suddenly, in the manner of persons having epileptic fits; he was dumb - that is, he was mute except when the seizure was coming upon him, for... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 17:14-18

Matthew 17:14-18. And when they were come to the multitude Namely, the day following, Luke 9:37, there came a certain man, kneeling down to him In great humility before Jesus, and with deep reverence for him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son Compassionate his miserable condition, for he is lunatic and sore vexed With terrible fits. “This man’s disease,” says Dr. Campbell, “we should, from the symptoms, call epilepsy, rather than lunacy. The appellation given it (... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

76. Healing of an uncontrollable boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)While the faith of the three apostles on the mountain was being strengthened, the faith of the other nine on the plain below was failing. They were unable to cure a boy who suffered from sudden fits that made him uncontrollable (Mark 9:14-18). After the heavenly experiences on the mountain, Jesus felt the frustration of work in a world that was full of human failure (Mark 9:19). Nevertheless, he did not despise... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 17:15

mercy = pity. he is lunatick = moonstruck: i.e. epileptic, because epilepsy was supposed to be caused by the moon. Greek. seleniazomai. Occurs only in Matthew, here, and Matthew 4:24 . sore vexed = suffers miserably. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 17:15

Matthew 17:15. For he is lunatic— Σεληνιαζεται . The English word lunatic always implies madness; but the Greek word is applied to any disease which is under the influence of the moon, such as the epilepsy, which seems to have been the distemper wherewith this man's son was afflicted by the power of the demon which possessed him. See also for this history the parallel places in St. Mark and Luke, who relate it more circumstantially than St. Matthew. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-16

The Greek word gonypeteo, translated "falling on his knees" or "knelt," suggests humility and entreaty, not necessarily worship (cf. Matthew 27:29; Mark 1:40; Mark 10:17). Likewise "Lord" was perhaps only a respectful address (cf. Matthew 8:2). The young man’s epilepsy was evidently a result of demon possession (Matthew 17:18). The impotent disciples were some or all of the nine who did not go up the mountain for the Transfiguration.There are many instances of the disciples’ failures in this... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-21

The exorcism of an epileptic boy 17:14-21 (cf. Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43 a)The term "exorcism" means the action of exorcizing or expelling an evil spirit by adjuration or the performance of certain rites. In Jesus’ case this involved His authoritatively commanding a demon or demons to depart with no appeal to a higher authority or incantations, which are common in exorcisms that other people perform."The contrast between the glory of the Transfiguration and Jesus’ disciples’ tawdry unbelief... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-27

3. Instruction about the King’s principles 17:14-27Jesus’ instruction of His disciples in view of the King’s coming death and resurrection and the kingdom’s postponement continued. Jesus had taught them about His person (Matthew 16:13-17) and His program (Matthew 16:18 to Matthew 17:13). He now taught them principles that clarified His work and His person further. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:1-27

The Transfiguration1-8. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28).St. Leo rightly apprehended the historical situation when he said that in the Transfiguration the principal object aimed at was that in the hearts of the disciples the scandal of the cross might be removed, and that throughout the terrible and humiliating events which were shortly to happen they might be sustained by the remembrance of the revelation which they had been vouchsafed.The Transfiguration revealed Christ in His divine... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 17:15

(15) Lunatick.—See Note on Matthew 4:24. The other Gospels add some further touches. The boy had a “dumb spirit.” When the spirit seized him it “tore him,” and he foamed at the mouth, and gnashed with his teeth. Slowly, and as with difficulty, the paroxysm passed off, and the sufferer was wasting away under the violence of the attacks. The phenomena described are, it need hardly be said, those of epilepsy complicated with insanity, a combination common in all countries, and likely to be... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 17:15

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 17:14-18

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 17:15

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 17:15

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-16

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-27

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:1-27

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Matthew 17:15

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