Matthew 17:17
And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Jesus’ immediate cry of "O faithless and twisted generation" isn't just directed at the crowd, but highlights how their unbelief and quarreling hindered the disciples' ability to act. He's essentially saying, "This whole atmosphere of doubt and argument makes it impossible for even my followers to step into the power I've given them."
Just before this, Jesus had been on the Mount of Transfiguration, a moment of incredible glory, but upon descending, He immediately encounters a distressing situation: a father desperate for his son, who is violently afflicted by a demon. The disciples, despite their prior authority, have failed to cast out the spirit, leading to an argument with the scribes. Jesus' sharp words are a lament and a rebuke, directed not only at the disciples' wavering faith but also at the broader generation's stubborn unbelief, before He directly addresses the challenge by calling the boy to Him.
Jesus' frustration is palpable here! Who exactly is he calling 'faithless and twisted'?
When Jesus cries out, "O faithless and twisted generation," he's not just talking to the disciples, though they are certainly part of it. He's also addressing the scribes and the surrounding crowd. This is a sweeping indictment of the spiritual climate of his time. 'Twisted' (or 'perverse') describes people whose thinking and actions are warped away from God's truth. They might hold wrong opinions, act wickedly, or be stubborn and resistant to believing.
While the disciples had seen incredible miracles, they still struggled with doubt, especially in difficult situations like this one. The father of the boy also showed a wavering faith. Even the scribes, who were supposed to be spiritual leaders, were caught up in arguing instead of seeking God's help. It’s a stark picture of a generation slow to believe, even when faced with God's own Son.
Jesus sounds weary. What does his question, 'How long shall I suffer you?', reveal about his heart?
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 17:17 is available in the Sola app.
Jesus’ words, 'How long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you?' aren't just an outburst of impatience. They reveal the immense emotional and spiritual burden he carried throughout his earthly ministry. He knew he wasn't of this world, yet he had to endure the constant unbelief, misunderstanding, and perversity of those around him.
His 'suffering' here isn't just passive endurance; it's an active, painful toleration of humanity's deep-seated sin and doubt. It highlights his incredible patience, a patience that stretched across his entire life on earth, even as he knew his ultimate mission was to return to the Father. This willingness to bear with us, despite our flaws, is a profound aspect of his love.
In the midst of his lament, Jesus gives a direct command. What does this shift reveal?
Right after expressing his deep frustration, Jesus pivots sharply with a command: 'Bring him here to me.' This isn't just about healing a sick child; it's a demonstration of how faith should respond to spiritual brokenness. Despite the surrounding unbelief, Jesus remains focused on the immediate need and provides the solution.
His command cuts through the arguments and despair. It shows that while he grieves over the generation's faithlessness, he doesn't abandon those who are suffering. Instead, he invites them to bring their problems directly to him. This is the essence of his ministry: to confront and overcome the deepest forms of human misery and spiritual darkness through his own power.
Understand the original words
apistos · Greek Adjective
Describes a lack of trust in God’s character or power; it implies a failure to rely on His promises despite evidence of His work. It denotes a condition of spiritual disbelief that hinders spiritual effectiveness.
diastrephō · Greek Adjective (participle)
Refers to being morally crooked, perverted, or deviating from the straight path of God’s will. It describes a society or group that has turned away from God's standards and become hostile or indifferent to His truth.
Jesus' cry of 'faithless and perverse generation' wasn't just about the crowd or the father; it echoed the historical disillusionment of a people repeatedly let down by failed hopes, a frustration he felt even among his closest followers after the mountaintop experience.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling many of its inhabitants. This event deeply impacted Jewish identity and solidified a sense of divine abandonment for many.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Neo-Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, exiling the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This catastrophic event led to profound theological questioning and a deep longing for restoration.
c. 539 BC
Return from Exile
Following the Persian conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. This marked a period of hope but also of struggle and disappointment.
c. 1st Century AD
Roman Occupation of Judea
Judea is under Roman rule, with varying degrees of autonomy. This political reality fueled messianic expectations and a desire for divine deliverance.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and the Transfiguration
Jesus conducts his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. The transfiguration event immediately precedes this, a moment of divine revelation experienced by Peter, James, and John.
c. AD 30
The Demoniac Boy
After descending from the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus encounters a man whose son is afflicted by a demon and epilepsy. The disciples' inability to heal the boy highlights their struggling faith.
This passage echoes Jesus' lament over a generation that is 'twisted' and 'perverse,' highlighting the long-standing tendency of Israel to stray from God despite His faithfulness. It shows this isn't a new problem but a recurring theme in God's relationship with His people.
Exodus 32:9-10In this instance of the golden calf, God declares to Moses, 'I have seen this people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them...' This parallels Jesus' frustration and the divine weariness with stubborn unbelief.
John 16:31-32Jesus directly addresses his disciples' lingering doubts, asking, 'Do you now believe?' He notes that the hour is coming, and in fact has come, when they will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave him alone. This reflects the moment of testing and Jesus' awareness of their imminent failure to stand with Him.
Hebrews 12:3The author of Hebrews urges believers to consider Jesus, who 'has resisted sin so far,' to avoid becoming weary and fainthearted. This verse provides a direct comparison to Jesus' endurance, emphasizing the immense spiritual toll it took on Him to constantly face sin and unbelief.
barnesMatthew 17:17: "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."
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation! - Perverse means that which is twisted or turned from the proper direction; and is often used of the eyes, when one or both are turned from their natural position. Applied to a generation or race of people, it means that they hold opinions turned or perverted from…
bengelMatthew 17:17: "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."
Matthew 17:17 . Ἄπιστος , κ . τ . λ .,, faithless , etc.) By a severe rebuke the disciples are reckoned as a part of the multitude.— ἕως πότε , how long ) After Jesus had received an accession of strength on the Mount, a more grievous instance of human unbelief and misery demanded and obtained His succour; cf. Exodus 32:19 .[791]—…
Jesus’ immediate cry of "O faithless and twisted generation" isn't just directed at the crowd, but highlights how their unbelief and quarreling hindered the disciples' ability to act. He's essentially saying, "This whole atmosphere of doubt and argument makes it impossible for even my followers to step into the power I've given them."
Just before this, Jesus had been on the Mount of Transfiguration, a moment of incredible glory, but upon descending, He immediately encounters a distressing situation: a father desperate for his son, who is violently afflicted by a demon. The disciples, despite their prior authority, have failed to cast out the spirit, leading to an argument with the scribes. Jesus' sharp words are a lament and a rebuke, directed not only at the disciples' wavering faith but also at the broader generation's stubborn unbelief, before He directly addresses the challenge by calling the boy to Him.
Just before this, Jesus had been on the Mount of Transfiguration, a moment of incredible glory, but upon descending, He immediately encounters a distressing situation: a father desperate for his son, who is violently afflicted by a demon. The disciples, despite their prior authority, have failed to cast out the spirit, leading to an argument with the scribes. Jesus' sharp words are a lament and a rebuke, directed not only at the disciples' wavering faith but also at the broader generation's stubborn unbelief, before He directly addresses the challenge by calling the boy to Him.
"And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.”" — Jesus’ immediate cry of "O faithless and twisted generation" isn't just directed at the crowd, but highlights how their unbelief and quarreling hindered the disciples' ability to act. He's essentia…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
