said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This father's plea highlights the sheer desperation of his son's condition, not just the symptoms, but the constant, life-threatening danger of falling into fire or water. It points to how deeply spiritual and physical suffering could intertwine in that time, making it hard to distinguish between illness and demonic influence.
said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just been transfigured on the mountain, and as he comes down, a man rushes to him. This father is desperately pleading for his son, who suffers from severe, uncontrollable seizures that endanger his life by causing him to fall into dangerous places like fire and water. This encounter immediately follows Jesus' return from a mountaintop experience with Peter, James, and John, setting the stage for a dramatic display of spiritual power.
The word 'lunatic' doesn't quite capture the full horror described here. This wasn't just a medical condition; it was a devastating affliction.
When the father describes his son as 'lunatic' and 'terribly vexed,' he's painting a picture of extreme suffering. The original language and other Gospel accounts reveal that this wasn't a simple case of epilepsy. It involved a 'dumb spirit' that would seize the boy, causing him to foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, and waste away.
This father’s words are raw, desperate, and profoundly human. What can we learn from his bold approach to Jesus?
This father doesn't hold back. His plea, 'Lord, have mercy on my son,' is packed with emotion and urgency. It’s a direct and honest cry to Jesus, acknowledging his own helplessness and the immense power needed to help.
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Understand the original words
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of respect, 'sir' or 'master,' often used by those acknowledging Jesus as the Messiah or one possessing divine authority and power to heal.
eleeō · Greek Verb
An expression of compassionate favor. It refers to God's withholding of deserved judgment and the granting of undeserved blessing, especially in response to human frailty or need.
This passage describes a similar affliction, where an 'evil spirit from the Lord' tormented King Saul, causing him distress and confusion, much like the 'seizures' and 'terrible suffering' of the boy in Matthew.
Mark 9:17-18The parallel account in Mark provides even more vivid details of the boy's torment, describing a 'mute spirit' that 'cries out,' 'foams,' 'gnashes his teeth,' and 'wastes away,' highlighting the severity and demonic nature of the affliction.
Luke 9:39Luke's Gospel adds that the spirit 'cries out suddenly' and 'wastes him away,' further illustrating the violent and debilitating nature of the boy's condition, which the father describes in Matthew.
Job 2:7Job's profound suffering, inflicted by Satan, causing him 'painful sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head,' shares the theme of severe, inexplicable physical torment that seems beyond natural explanation.
Acts 19:15-16This passage shows the power of evil spirits to physically overpower and harm people, as seen when an evil spirit attacked the sons of Sceva, leaping on them and overcoming them, which resonates with the danger the boy faced falling into fire or water.
barnesMatthew 17:15: "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."
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 of…
clarkeMatthew 17:15: "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."
My son - is lunatic - Σεληνιαζεται. One who was most affected with this disorder at the change and full of the moon. See on Matthew 4:24 (note). But this lunacy was occasioned by a demon, see Matthew 17:18 , and Mark 9:17 ; Luke 9:38 . In this case, the devil intended to hide himself under the appearance of a natural disorder, that no supernatural means…
This father's plea highlights the sheer desperation of his son's condition, not just the symptoms, but the constant, life-threatening danger of falling into fire or water. It points to how deeply spiritual and physical suffering could intertwine in that time, making it hard to distinguish between illness and demonic influence.
Jesus has just been transfigured on the mountain, and as he comes down, a man rushes to him. This father is desperately pleading for his son, who suffers from severe, uncontrollable seizures that endanger his life by causing him to fall into dangerous places like fire and water. This encounter immediately follows Jesus' return from a mountaintop experience with Peter, James, and John, setting the stage for a dramatic display of spiritual power.
Jesus has just been transfigured on the mountain, and as he comes down, a man rushes to him. This father is desperately pleading for his son, who suffers from severe, uncontrollable seizures that endanger his life by causing him to fall into dangerous places like fire and water. This encounter immediately follows Jesus' return from a mountaintop experience with Peter, James, and John, setting the stage for a dramatic display of spiritual power.
"said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water." — This father's plea highlights the sheer desperation of his son's condition, not just the symptoms, but the constant, life-threatening danger of falling into fire or water. It points to how deeply spi…
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Last reviewed October 2026