King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Complete Jewish Bible:
Then the talmidim went to him privately and said, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He said to them, "Because you have such little trust! Yes! I tell you that if you
Berean Standard Bible:
Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
American Standard Version:
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Then{G5119} came{G4334} the disciples{G3101} to Jesus{G2424} apart{G2596}{G2398}, and said{G2036}, Why{G1302} could{G1410} not{G3756} we{G2249} cast{G1544} him{G846} out{G1544}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Mark 9:28
- And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
Mark 4:10
- And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Matthew 17:19
Matthew 17:19 is a verse that captures a moment of confusion and a teachable instant for Jesus' disciples. The historical context of this verse is set during Jesus' ministry, after the Transfiguration, when He and three of His disciples—Peter, James, and John—descended from the mountain to rejoin the other disciples. Upon their reunion, they encountered a man whose son was possessed by a demon that the disciples had been unable to exorcise. In the verse, the disciples approach Jesus privately, asking why they were unable to cast out the demon.
The themes present in this verse include faith, spiritual authority, and the disciples' ongoing process of understanding and exercising the power given to them by Jesus. Their question reflects their perplexity and frustration at their own inability to perform a miracle that Jesus had previously empowered them to do (as seen in Matthew 10:1 and Mark 6:7). This moment underscores the limitations of human capability without sufficient faith and dependence on God, despite having been given divine authority. It also sets the stage for Jesus' response in Matthew 17:20, where He explains that their failure was due to their little faith and that even a small amount of faith can move mountains, emphasizing the importance of trust in God's power over all things, including the supernatural.
In the broader context of the Gospel, this verse contributes to the narrative of the disciples' spiritual growth and their journey from doubt to faith, which is a central element in the Christian faith—the reliance on God's strength rather than human ability. This episode would have resonated with early Christian communities as they grappled with their own challenges and the extent of their faith in the face of adversity and the miraculous.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G5119
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τότε
Transliteration: tóte
Pronunciation: tot'-eh
Description: from (the neuter of) ὁ and ὅτε; the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution):--that time, then. - Strong's Number: G4334
There are 85 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: προσέρχομαι
Transliteration: prosérchomai
Pronunciation: pros-er'-khom-ahee
Description: from πρός and ἔρχομαι (including its alternate); to approach, i.e. (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to:--(as soon as he) come (unto), come thereunto, consent, draw near, go (near, to, unto). - Strong's Number: G3101
There are 252 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μαθητής
Transliteration: mathētḗs
Pronunciation: math-ay-tes'
Description: from μανθάνω; a learner, i.e. pupil:--disciple. - Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus. - Strong's Number: G2596
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κατά
Transliteration: katá
Pronunciation: kat-ah'
Description: a primary particle; (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined):--about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with. In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity. - Strong's Number: G2398
There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἴδιος
Transliteration: ídios
Pronunciation: id'-ee-os
Description: of uncertain affinity; pertaining to self, i.e. one's own; by implication, private or separate:--X his acquaintance, when they were alone, apart, aside, due, his (own, proper, several), home, (her, our, thine, your) own (business), private(-ly), proper, severally, their (own). - Strong's Number: G2036
There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔπω
Transliteration: épō
Pronunciation: ep'-o
Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω. - Strong's Number: G1302
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: διατί
Transliteration: diatí
Pronunciation: dee-at-ee'
Description: from διά and τίς; through what cause ?, i.e. why?:--wherefore, why. - Strong's Number: G1410
There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύναμαι
Transliteration: dýnamai
Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος. - Strong's Number: G2249
There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἡμεῖς
Transliteration: hēmeîs
Pronunciation: hay-mice'
Description: nominative plural of ἐγώ; we (only used when emphatic):--us, we (ourselves). - Strong's Number: G1544
There are 76 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκβάλλω
Transliteration: ekbállō
Pronunciation: ek-bal'-lo
Description: from ἐκ and βάλλω; to eject (literally or figuratively):--bring forth, cast (forth, out), drive (out), expel, leave, pluck (pull, take, thrust) out, put forth (out), send away (forth, out). - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.