Matthew 17:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

We have here the miraculous cure of a child that was lunatic and vexed with a devil. Observe, I. A melancholy representation of the case of this child, made to Christ by the afflicted father. This was immediately upon his coming down from the mountain where he was transfigured. Note, Christ's glories do not make him unmindful of us and of our wants and miseries. Christ, when he came down from the mount, where had conversation with Moses and Elias, did not take state upon him, but was as easy... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 17:14-20

17:14-20 When they came to the crowd, a man came to him and fell at his feet and said, "Sir, have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic, and he suffers severely; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water; and I brought him to your disciples, and they were not able to cure him." Jesus answered, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me!" And Jesus spoke sternly to him, and the demon came out of him,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 17:18

And Jesus rebuked the devil ,.... The words may indeed be rendered, "and Jesus rebuked him, and the devil departed out of him"; so the Vulgate Latin, and the Oriental versions; but the sense our version gives is certainly right; for it was not the father of the child Christ rebuked for his unbelief; this he had done already; nor the lunatic himself, as some have thought, either for his unbelief, or because he was possessed by the devil, for some sins of his own; which is not likely, since he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:18

Jesus rebuked the devil - Deprived him of all power to torment the child; and obliged him to abandon his present usurped habitation. There are some souls whose cure God reserves to himself alone, and to whom all the applications of his ministers appear to be utterly ineffectual. He sometimes does all without them, that they may know they can never do any good without him. Quesnel. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:14-18

The disciples' failure. It has often been pointed out—as Raphael has shown in his famous picture—that the distressing occurrence of the disciples' failure happened just when Christ was away from them, transfigured on the mountain. Then clearly it would not have been good to build three tabernacles, and so retain the heavenly vision. The world needs Christ; it was well that he returned to the world. I. A PARENT IN TROUBLE . This parent is greatly distressed because his son is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

Healing of the demoniac boy. ( Mark 9:16-29 ; Luke 9:37-42 .) The account of the miracle is much curtailed in our Gospel; the fullest narrative is given by St. Mark, to whom we must refer for the complete details. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

The maniac boy. I. THE FAILURE OF THE NINE APOSTLES . 1 . The descent from the mount . The morning had come, and the Lord with the three chosen apostles came down from the Mount of the Transfiguration to rejoin those whom he had left behind. As he drew near to them he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them ( Mark 9:14 ). It was a strange contrast. He had just left the peace of the mountain side and the glory of the heavenly radiance.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

The lunatic lad. This incident is memorable chiefly on account of three truths it impresses on the mind. I. THE APPARENTLY UNLIMITED RANGE OUR LORD GIVES TO FAITH . Promise, rebuke, and surprise are mingled in his reply. "if thou canst, all things are possible," etc. As if he said, "You do not surely question my power; it is no question of power, it is a question of faith; have you faith to receive, to evoke the power?" As clearly as possible he says to this man, "The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

The secrets of faith. A blended good and evil characterizes the present state of man. Ever since our first parents ate of the "tree of knowledge of good and evil" their children have been eating of it. The hovel is found under the very shadow of the palace. What a scene of glory was that of the Transfiguration! What a scene of misery is this at the foot of the mountain! "And when they were come to the multitude," etc. Learn— I. THAT THE POWER OF FAITH IS UNLIMITED . 1 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:18

Jesus rebuked the devil ( αὐτῷ , him ). Some take the pronoun as masculine, and refer it to the diseased boy; but it is more natural that the rebuke should be addressed to the possessing demon. This is the first place where St. Matthew mentions the spiritual aspect of the malady. As the child was being brought to Jesus, a terrible scene ensued, which is described with its horrific details by St. Mark, who also gives Christ's conversation with the father, whereby he desired to arouse... read more

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