The Boy with an Evil Spirit
Jesus returns to the other disciples and finds a crowd, scribes, and an argument. A father explains his son's affliction and the disciples' failure to cast the spirit out.
W14hen they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15As 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. 17Someone in the crowd replied, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute. 18Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”
Jesus rebukes the unbelieving crowd and calls for the boy, then questions the father about the long misery and danger. The father answers with a plea that joins belief and unbelief.
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.” 20So 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. 21Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been with him?” 22“From childhood,” he said. “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!” 24Immediately the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
Jesus commands the unclean spirit to leave and never return, and the boy rises after appearing dead. In the house, Jesus tells the disciples that this kind comes out only by prayer.
25When 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.” 26After shrieking and convulsing him violently, the spirit came out. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. 28After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”