Luke 9:40

And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

And {G2532} I besought {G1189} thy {G4675} disciples {G3101} to {G2443} cast {G1544} him {G846} out {G1544}; and {G2532} they could {G1410} not {G3756}.

I asked your talmidim to drive the spirit out, but they couldn’t.”

I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”

And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

Context

Luke 9:40 is part of a significant narrative immediately following Jesus' Transfiguration on the mountain. While Jesus, Peter, James, and John were experiencing this divine revelation, the other disciples remained below. A desperate father brings his demon-possessed son to them, seeking deliverance. The verse captures the father's plea to Jesus, recounting the disciples' failed attempt: "And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not." This failure sets the stage for Jesus' powerful intervention and subsequent teaching on faith.

Key Themes

  • Disciples' Limitations: This verse starkly reveals the disciples' inability to perform a miracle they had previously been empowered to do (Luke 9:1). It underscores that their spiritual authority was not inherent but derived from Christ, and could be hindered by a lack of faith or understanding.
  • The Sovereignty of Jesus: The disciples' failure highlights the unique and ultimate power of Jesus over all spiritual forces. Their inability makes His subsequent successful expulsion of the demon even more profound, demonstrating that He alone possesses complete authority.
  • The Nature of Spiritual Warfare: The incident suggests that some spiritual battles require a deeper level of faith and reliance on God, as indicated by Jesus' later explanation in parallel accounts regarding prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "besought" is παρεκάλεσα (parekalesa), which means to "call alongside," "implore," or "plead." It conveys the father's earnest and desperate appeal to the disciples. The phrase "could not" is οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν (ouk ēdynēthēsan), indicating a complete lack of ability or power on their part to achieve the desired outcome, emphasizing their spiritual impotence in this specific situation.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a humbling reminder for all believers: while God empowers His followers for ministry, our effectiveness is always dependent on Him. It teaches us several vital lessons:

  • Reliance on Christ: When faced with overwhelming spiritual challenges, our first and ultimate recourse must be to Jesus. Our own strength or past successes are insufficient; true power comes from His presence and authority.
  • Humility in Ministry: Even devoted servants of God can experience moments of inability. Such instances are not necessarily a sign of ultimate failure but an invitation to humble ourselves and seek a deeper connection with and reliance upon the Lord.
  • The Importance of Faith and Prayer: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader context and parallel passages (e.g., Mark 9:29) indicate that a lack of faith and consistent prayer can hinder spiritual effectiveness. This calls believers to cultivate a vibrant prayer life and unwavering trust in God's power.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 9:1

    ¶ Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

  • Acts 19:13

    ¶ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

  • Acts 19:16

    And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

  • 2 Kings 4:31

    And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but [there was] neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

  • Luke 10:17

    ¶ And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

  • Luke 10:19

    Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

  • Matthew 17:20

    And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

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