Matthew 17:14-20 - A Demon-Possessed Boy Healed

¹⁴ When they approached the people, a man fell to his knees before him, saying: ¹⁵ Lord, have mercy on my son. He has mental problems and is in great pain. He frequently falls into the fire and into the water. ¹⁶ I took him to your disciples, and they were not able to make him well.

¹⁷ Jesus answered: You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me. ¹⁸ Jesus ordered the unclean spirit to leave the boy. It left him and the boy was made well immediately.

¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said: Why were we not able to send it out?

²⁰ He told them: It was because of your lack of faith: Truly I say to you, if you have faith as small as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, move and it will move. Nothing will be impossible to you.

¹⁴ When they came to the disciples they saw a great crowd with them and scribes questioning them. ¹⁵ Suddenly the crowd saw him and ran to him to greet him. ¹⁶ He asked them: What are you talking about?

¹⁷ One of the people answered him: Teacher I brought my son who is unable to talk because of a spirit. ¹⁸ The spirit seizes him and slams him down. He foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth. I asked your disciples to cast it out but they could not do it.

¹⁹ Jesus then said: O faithless generation. How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him to me. ²⁰ They brought the boy to him. Suddenly the spirit threw him into convulsions. He fell on the ground rolled around and foamed at the mouth. ²¹ Jesus asked his father: How long has this been going on? He said: Since he was a child. ²² Often it casts him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you can do anything have compassion on us and help us.

²³ Jesus said to him: All things are possible to him who has faith.

²⁴ Both father and child immediately shouted: I have faith make my faith stronger.

²⁵ When Jesus saw the people he ordered the unclean spirit to come out of him. He commanded the spirit that caused the loss of voice and hearing to leave and never return to him.

²⁶ The spirit cried out and shook the child violently. It came out and the child became like a dead person. Most of them said: He is dead. ²⁷ Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up.

²⁸ When the child went into the house his disciples asked him privately: Why were we unable to send it out?

²⁹ He replied: Only prayer will make this sort come out.

³⁷ After they came down from the mountain a large crowd met him. ³⁸ A man in the crowd cried, Teacher, please look at my son. He is my only child. ³⁹ A spirit controls him and suddenly he cries out. He foams at the mouth. It throws him into convulsions and he is badly bruised. ⁴⁰ I asked your disciples to cast it out and they could not.

⁴¹ Jesus answered: O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and put up with you? Bring your son to me.

⁴² When he came near the demon slammed him down and through him in to a convulsion. Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. ⁴³ They were all overwhelmed by the greatness of God. Everyone marveled at all the things he did. Jesus said to his disciples: