Matthew 17:14–21 describes the powerful moment when Jesus heals the demon-possessed boy.
Jesus can do what fear-filled disciples can’t. But He wants us to grow into a faith that acts, just as seen when Jesus healed the demon-possessed boy.
In Matthew 17:14–21, Jesus heals a boy possessed by a demon after the disciples fail to cast it out. This moment highlights the tension between human inadequacy and divine power—and calls us to grow in faith.
Matthew 17:14–21 (NASB 2020)
14 When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was healed at once. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 And He said to them, “Because of your meager faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 [But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- A desperate father seeking deliverance for his son
- The crowd, watching and wondering
- The disciples, after their failure
What Happened?
- A man begged Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son, encapsulating the essence when Jesus heals the demon-possessed boy.
- The disciples had tried, but failed to deliver him
- Jesus rebuked the demon, and the boy was instantly healed
- Privately, the disciples asked why they couldn’t cast it out
- Jesus revealed the issue: lack of faith, and the need for prayer and fasting
The Mood: Desperate, Frustrated, Empowering
- The father was desperate and pleading
- Jesus showed righteous frustration at the spiritual dullness
- Yet He also gave the disciples a faith lesson they would never forget
The Principle: Faith Isn’t Optional—It’s Essential for Spiritual Authority
- Even when we fail, Jesus does not
- Meager faith limits spiritual authority
- Prayer and fasting prepare us for deeper levels of power
- Mustard seed faith is small, but active and persistent
Audience Response (Then)
- The father trusted Jesus even after the disciples’ failure
- The crowd saw the power of Jesus to do what others could not
- The disciples were corrected, taught, and challenged to go deeper in their walk
What This Means for Us in 2025
In a culture of quick fixes, Jesus reminds us that spiritual authority is cultivated, not downloaded.
- Prayerless disciples are powerless disciples
- Don’t be discouraged by failure—it’s a classroom for deeper faith
- Deliverance comes through dependence, not performance
Action Steps for Today
- Spend time in prayer and fasting. Not for show, but for sharpening your spirit.
- Build your faith daily. Read the Word, speak it, act on it.
- Don’t hide your failure—learn from it. Ask Jesus where your faith needs to grow.
- Trust Jesus above all else. Even when others fall short.
- Believe again. Even mustard seed faith moves mountains.
Final Prayer
Jesus, I bring You my lack and my longing. Teach me to pray with power and believe without wavering. When I fail, remind me You never do, as demonstrated when Jesus heals the demon-possessed boy. Grow my faith until mountains move and chains break. In Your powerful name, Amen.
Even mustard seed faith is enough—when it’s placed in the One who never fails.
