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Scripture • World English Bible
Matthew 17:14–23
14When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,
15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
16So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
17Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
20He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
21But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”
22While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,
23and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
Reflection
A father kneels and begs—his son is suffering, and the disciples can't help. Jesus' reaction is both strong and focused: he calls out the unbelief around him, then heals the boy. Two things strike the heart of a man learning to follow Jesus. First, faith matters. Jesus tells the disciples their failure grew from unbelief. Not a perfect faith, but faith like a mustard seed that trusts God's authority. Second, some battles require more than words; Jesus says this kind goes out by prayer and fasting. That doesn't mean every struggle is demonic or that prayer is a magic formula. It means some problems expose our dependence on God and call for disciplined, sustained seeking. Finally, in the middle of this miracle Jesus turns and tells his disciples plainly that he will be handed over, killed, and raised on the third day. Healing and hardship sit side by side in Jesus' ministry. The King who heals is the same King who goes to the cross. If you're a man who wants to lead, love, and fight for your family, learn this: bring needs to Jesus honestly, build your inner life with prayer and spiritual discipline, and prepare your heart for costly obedience. Faith acts; prayer deepens; the cross shapes everything we do.
Putting Faith Into Action
- Pray privately for one person you're carrying—name him, sit with his need for five minutes, and ask God for faith and wisdom to act.
- Remove one comfort or distraction (social media, TV, or late-night scrolling) for one day and spend that time in prayer and Scripture, asking God to deepen your trust.
- Identify one relationship where fear or pride keeps you from honest love; call or meet that person this week and begin with an apology, a question, or an offer of help.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you met a father's helplessness with mercy and power. Give me the faith to bring my people and problems to you, the humility to own my unbelief, and the endurance to follow you even when the road leads through suffering. Teach me to pray with perseverance and to fast when my heart depends on it. Keep my eyes fixed on your cross and your rising power; shape my courage, my compassion, and my obedience. For the sake of your name, and by your grace, amen.
Memory Verse
Matthew 17:20 — He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (WEB)
“He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Bible Context
Read all of Matthew 17
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Bible Context
Read all of Matthew 17
Matthew 17
World English Bible • WEB
1After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
2He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
3Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
4Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
7Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
8Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
9As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
10His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things;
12but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”
13Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
14When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,
15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
16So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
17Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
20He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
21But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”
22While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,
23and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
24When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?”
25He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
26Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
27But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
World English Bible (WEB) • Public Domain
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