14And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to Him, kneeling before Him, [17:15] and saying: 'Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is moonstruck and suffers miserably; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. [17:16] And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to heal him.' [17:17] Jesus answered and said: 'O unbelieving and twisted generation — until when will I be with you? Until when will I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.' [17:18] And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out from him, and the boy was healed from that hour.
MAT 17:14-18
The Boy with a Demon
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st-century Mediterranean world, epilepsy was often attributed to supernatural causes, particularly demonic possession or lunar influence, as reflected in the term ('moonstruck'). This condition carried significant social stigma, often isolating sufferers and their families. The father’s plea for mercy underscores the desperation of a household navigating both the physical suffering of the son and the shame associated with his condition. The failure of the disciples to heal the boy highlights the perceived limits of their authority and power, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ ability to command demons. Jesus’ rebuke of the 'unbelieving and perverted generation' reflects a critique of the broader community’s lack of faith and moral distortion, a common prophetic motif in Second-Temple Judaism. The act of rebuking the demon carries connotations of divine authority, echoing exorcism practices where power over spirits was seen as a sign of God’s favor.
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How other translations render this
MAT 17:14
- KJV
- And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
- BSB
- When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him.
- Koinōnos
- And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to Him, kneeling before Him,
MAT 17:15
- KJV
- Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
- BSB
- “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.
- Koinōnos
- and saying: 'Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is moonstruck and suffers miserably; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.
MAT 17:16
- KJV
- And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
- BSB
- I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
- Koinōnos
- And I brought him to Your disciples, and they were not able to heal him.
MAT 17:17
- KJV
- Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
- BSB
- “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.”
- Koinōnos
- Jesus answered and said: 'O unbelieving and twisted generation — until when will I be with you? Until when will I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.
MAT 17:18
- KJV
- And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
- BSB
- Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
- Koinōnos
- And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out from him, and the boy was healed from that hour.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 17:15
- he is epileptic:The word translated 'epileptic' literally meant 'moonstruck' in the ancient world, reflecting a common belief that the moon's phases influenced such conditions.
MAT 17:17
- generation:The term 'generation' here refers not just to a span of years, but to a particular kind of people, characterized by their moral and spiritual qualities.
- perverted,:The word translated 'perverted' suggests something that has been twisted or distorted from its proper form or purpose, implying a deep moral corruption.
MAT 17:18
- rebuked:The word translated 'rebuked' often implies a strong, authoritative command to silence or restrain, particularly when dealing with spiritual forces or unruly elements.