And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The father’s statement here isn't just a confession of the disciples' failure, but a raw, honest admission of his own desperation. He brought his son to them because Jesus himself was absent, highlighting how deeply the disciples' inability to help would have felt like a last resort, and the stark reality that spiritual power isn't always readily accessible.
And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, a man urgently presented his son, afflicted by a "dumb spirit" that caused severe seizures, to Jesus' disciples. The father recounts that he brought his son to them while Jesus was away, but they were unable to cast the spirit out, highlighting a moment of spiritual struggle for the disciples. This failure occurred amidst a crowd and a dispute with scribes, setting the stage for Jesus to address both the man's desperation and the disciples' lack of faith.
Imagine bringing a desperate need to someone you trust, only for them to be unable to help. This father experienced that heartbreak with Jesus' own followers.
This encounter wasn't just a failed healing; it was a public moment that challenged the disciples' authority and credibility. They were left unable to perform the very miracles their Master had empowered them to do.
A Public Stumble
Why couldn't the disciples cast out the demon? It wasn't a lack of Jesus' power, but something closer to home.
The disciples' failure wasn't due to an absence of God's power, but a deficiency in their own faith and perhaps the faith of those around them.
The Missing Ingredient
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Understand the original words
therapeuō · Greek Verb
In a biblical context, this refers to the restoration of wholeness, soundness, or health, often encompassing both the physical body and the spiritual condition of a person. It is frequently associated with the power of God manifested through His agents.
This event highlights a moment of failure for the disciples, revealing their dependence on Jesus' presence and their own spiritual struggles when faced with a powerful demonic influence, a stark contrast to their earlier successes.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus commissions disciples
Jesus grants his twelve closest disciples authority over unclean spirits and power to heal diseases, sending them out to preach.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus transfigured on mountain
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain where he is transfigured. The other nine disciples and the rest of the crowd remain below.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Disciples attempt exorcism
A man brings his son, afflicted by a demon causing seizures, to Jesus' disciples while Jesus is on the mountain. The disciples are unable to cast the demon out.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus heals the boy
Jesus returns, confronts the scribes arguing with his disciples, and heals the boy, rebuking the demon's power and the disciples' lack of faith.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus explains failure
Jesus explains to his disciples that their inability to heal the boy stemmed from their lack of faith, which could only be overcome through prayer.
This passage from Mark echoes the father's plea, explicitly stating that the disciples were asked to cast out the spirit and were unable to do so, reinforcing the idea of their failed attempt.
Luke 9:40Luke's account also shares this detail, emphasizing the disciples' inability to heal the boy and highlighting the critical need for Jesus' intervention when human efforts fall short.
Matthew 10:1This verse shows Jesus granting his disciples authority over unclean spirits, which makes their subsequent failure to heal the boy in Matthew 17:16 all the more striking and indicative of a deeper issue, likely related to their faith.
Matthew 17:20Jesus directly addresses the reason for the disciples' failure, explaining that it was due to their 'little faith.' This passage provides the crucial context and explanation for the event described in Matthew 17:16.
bengelMatthew 17:16: "And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him."
Matthew 17:16 . Οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν , were not able ) It was a disgrace for the disciples to be accused from another quarter. Observe the candour of St Matthew’s confession, implicating himself in this charge. It is wonderful that the devil did not injure the disciples; cf. Acts 19:16 .
clarkeMatthew 17:16: "And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him."
Thy disciples could not cure him - No wonder, when the cure must be effected by supernatural agency, and they had not faith enough to interest the power of God in their behalf, Matthew 17:20 . A spiritual disorder must have a spiritual remedy: natural means, in such cases, signify just - nothing.
The father’s statement here isn't just a confession of the disciples' failure, but a raw, honest admission of his own desperation. He brought his son to them because Jesus himself was absent, highlighting how deeply the disciples' inability to help would have felt like a last resort, and the stark reality that spiritual power isn't always readily accessible.
After Jesus descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, a man urgently presented his son, afflicted by a "dumb spirit" that caused severe seizures, to Jesus' disciples. The father recounts that he brought his son to them while Jesus was away, but they were unable to cast the spirit out, highlighting a moment of spiritual struggle for the disciples. This failure occurred amidst a crowd and a dispute with scribes, setting the stage for Jesus to address both the man's desperation and the disciples' lack of faith.
After Jesus descended from the Mount of Transfiguration, a man urgently presented his son, afflicted by a "dumb spirit" that caused severe seizures, to Jesus' disciples. The father recounts that he brought his son to them while Jesus was away, but they were unable to cast the spirit out, highlighting a moment of spiritual struggle for the disciples. This failure occurred amidst a crowd and a dispute with scribes, setting the stage for Jesus to address both the man's desperation and the disciples' lack of faith.
"And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.”" — The father’s statement here isn't just a confession of the disciples' failure, but a raw, honest admission of his own desperation. He brought his son to them because Jesus himself was absent, highlig…
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Last reviewed October 2026