On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 There was a man in the crowd who cried out, “Teacher, I beg you, look at my son; he is my only child. 39 For a spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams and it convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it releases him only with difficulty, wearing him out. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out but they could not.” 41 Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you and endure you? Bring your son here.” 42 As he was coming forward, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion; but Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and returned him to his father. 43 All were astonished by the majesty of God. While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, 44 “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying. 46 An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.” 49 Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
Jesus came down the mountain after his transfiguration and was met by a man in the large crowd who pleaded with him to be merciful to his only son who was possessed by a demon. The spirit caused violent convulsions and suffering. The disciples who did not go up to the mountain with Jesus and witness the transfiguration had previously failed to exorcise the demon from the boy. There is no clear consensus among Biblical scholars as to the meaning of Jesus’ reply, “O faithless and perverse generation (v. 40).” Most likely he was speaking to some in the crowd, like the Pharisees and the religious leaders, who failed to believe in him despite his demonstrations of power over evil and his works that showed he was the Son of God (Lk. 4:41). Jesus had given the disciples power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases (Lk. 9:1), but It seems that the Disciples had limited power and authority without deep faith in Jesus. Jesus told the man to bring the boy to him and exorcised the powerful demon while it was convulsing the boy. The boy was immediately healed. Jesus’ demonstration of divine power and authority astonished the crowd (Lk. 7:16).
Jesus told the Disciples to pay attention and take seriously what he tells them about his impending suffering, death, and resurrection. His second prediction is met with confusion and fear by the disciples, indicating their lack of understanding of Jesus' mission and the nature of His kingdom. He referred to himself as the “Son of Man (Dan. 7:13-14)” when he made the second prediction of his passion (cf. Lk. 24:6-7) which was the ultimate act of mercy for mankind. A suffering Messiah was something that Jesus’ followers could not grasp. The disciples would only understand what Jesus said and did after his resurrection.
The disciples did not yet understand what it truly meant to be a disciple and they began to argue about which one of them was the greatest. Jesus took the opportunity to teach the disciples about true greatness. He placed a child by his side and explained that welcoming the lowly in His name is equivalent to welcoming Him, and thereby God the Father. True greatness in God’s eyes is rooted in humility and serving others.
Someone who was not a disciple was casting out demons in Jesus’ name and the disciples tried to stop him because he was outside the circle of chosen disciples. Jesus explained that those who perform works of power in his name, whether they were members of the group that traveled with him or not, are not against him but are part of the broader mission of God's kingdom. The man casting out demons truly believed in the power of Jesus’ name to heal and therefore was a true follower.
Almighty God, help us to turn to you in moments of doubt and despair so that you may be our source of healing and hope. Grant us the grace to believe in the power of your Son and the humility to serve others in his name. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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