When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. 18 Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” 19 He said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.” 20 They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. 21 Then he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. 22 It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.” 24 Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” 25 Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!” 26 Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. 28 When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why could we not drive it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”
Jesus, Peter, James, and John return from the Transfiguration to find the remaining disciples in a dispute with scribes, the Jewish legal experts. This conflict provides an opportunity for Jesus to teach about faith and prayer. Upon their return, the whole crowd is amazed and runs to greet Jesus. Jesus asks what the dispute is about. Jesus often used rhetorical questions to teach, to reveal what was in the hearts of those involved, and to prompt deeper reflection and understanding.
The father explained that a demon possessed his son, describing how it affected him. He lamented that he brought his son to Jesus' disciples, but they could not exorcise the demon. Some exegetes associate the symptoms with epilepsy, which in ancient times would have appeared as possession by an evil spirit.
Jesus expressed frustration over the lack of faith among his disciples and the crowd and asked them to bring the boy to him. When the boy was brought to Jesus he went into convulsions demonstrating that the demon recognized Jesus’ authority and power (Mk. 1:23-26). This emphasizes the ongoing conflict between the forces of good, represented by God and His followers, and the forces of evil, represented by Satan and demonic entities. This battle began with the Protoevangelium, or first gospel (Gen. 3:15) which foretold the enmity between the serpent and the woman's offspring, symbolizing the perpetual struggle between good and evil. Paul defined the nature of mankind’s battle against the spiritual forces of evil (Eph. 6:12).
The boy’s father described his son’s longstanding struggle and made a halfhearted plea to Jesus, “If you can” which indicated a wavering faith. Jesus asserted to him that with strong faith all things are possible (Mt. 17:20; Mk. 11:22-24). The father, mixed with faith and doubt, humbly asked Jesus to help him overcome his unbelief. Jesus commanded the demon to leave and never return. The demon's expulsion left the boy appearing lifeless, prompting the crowd to believe he was dead. Jesus took the boy by the hand and raised him up, restoring him to full health and life, which can be interpreted as a symbol of new life and resurrection.
The disciples asked Jesus why they could not drive out the demon. Jesus told them that certain spiritual battles require prayer and dependence on God’s power.
Heavenly Father, You mercifully healed the boy possessed by a spirit and restored him to life. Strengthen our faith and help us overcome our unbelief. Grant us the grace to trust in Your power and turn to You in prayer. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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