In Matthew 17:14–21, Mark 9:14–29, and Luke 9:37–42 a distraught father brings his son, tormented by a violent spirit, to Jesus after the disciples could not free him. Jesus rebukes the evil, heals the boy, and restores him to his father. All three Gospels record the failure of the disciples and Jesus’ authority over the demon; Mark gives the fullest conversation (including the father’s plea “if you can…”), and both Mark and Matthew record Jesus’ sharp word about unbelief and the need for faith. Note: some manuscripts omit Matthew 17:21, and Mark includes a line—“this kind comes out only by prayer (and fasting)”—that highlights the role of dependence on God.
This passage reveals Jesus as sovereign over chaos and deeply compassionate toward human suffering; he is not distant theology but a decisive Savior who engages the messy, terrifying realities of life. At the same time, Jesus confronts the hard truth: unbelief and presumption cripple ministry. The moment is weighty—this is not a quaint miracle story but a window into the Kingdom’s demand that we depend on God rather than our competence. The Gospel’s challenge is clear: grow in faith, not in self-reliant techniques; the Gospel’s grace is clearer still: Jesus meets the chaos where it is, rebukes what harms, and restores what people thought was beyond hope.
Today, name one “uncontrollable” thing and bring it to Jesus in prayer—not as a theological exercise but as a raw admission: “I believe; help my unbelief.” If you’re comfortable, ask a friend to pray with you, or set aside a short time of intentional prayer (and fasting, if led) this week for that specific need. Then act in one small way that trusts God (a phone call, a kind boundary, or a step toward reconciliation). Let this be a habit: when chaos comes, come first to Christ.
Matthew: 17:14-21
A distraught father brings his demon-possessed son to Jesus after the disciples fail to heal him; Jesus rebukes the unbelief, casts out the spirit and restores the boy. He then tells the disciples their failure was due to little faith, teaches that even a mustard-seed-sized faith can do the impossible, and adds that some spirits are driven out only by prayer (and fasting).
Open VerseMark: 9:14-29
Jesus heals a boy possessed by an unclean spirit after the disciples fail to cast it out; the desperate father pleads, “I believe; help my unbelief,” and Jesus rebukes the spirit and restores the child. Afterwards Jesus explains privately that such demons are driven out only by prayer (and, in some manuscripts, fasting), underscoring the need for faith.
Open VerseLuke: 9:37-42
The next day a man begs Jesus to heal his son who is tormented by an evil spirit that causes violent seizures; when the disciples cannot cast it out, Jesus rebukes the unbelieving generation, drives out the demon, heals the boy, and the crowd is amazed at God’s power.
Open Verse