Luke 9:40

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 9:40 captures a poignant moment of failure for Jesus' disciples, highlighting the limitations of human spiritual authority when disconnected from its divine source. A desperate father, whose son is afflicted by a demon, recounts his plea to the disciples for deliverance and their subsequent inability to cast out the evil spirit. This verse sets the immediate stage for Jesus' powerful intervention, underscoring His unique and ultimate authority over all spiritual forces, and serving as a crucial prelude to His teaching on the nature of faith and dependence on God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the glorious [Transfiguration of Jesus](/luke/9-28-36 "Luke 9:28-36 - The Transfiguration"). While Jesus, Peter, James, and John were on the mountain experiencing a profound revelation of divine glory, the other nine disciples remained below. The narrative creates a stark contrast: from the mountaintop experience of divine affirmation and power, the scene immediately shifts to the valley of human struggle, spiritual impotence, and desperate need. The father's direct address to Jesus upon His descent from the mountain emphasizes that the disciples' failure was a public and evident one, setting up Jesus' subsequent lament over the "faithless and twisted generation" and His powerful demonstration of authority. This failure also serves to highlight the unique power of Jesus, preparing the reader for His further teachings on discipleship and the Kingdom of God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient world, and particularly within Jewish culture, the reality of demon possession was widely accepted and understood as a genuine affliction. Mental and physical ailments were often attributed to spiritual causes, and exorcism was a recognized practice, though often associated with specific religious figures or rituals. People sought out those believed to possess spiritual power to deliver the afflicted. The disciples themselves had previously been given authority by Jesus to cast out demons ([Luke 9:1](/luke/9-1 "Luke 9:1 - Jesus Empowers the Twelve")), making their current failure particularly perplexing and culturally significant. This incident would have been understood by contemporary audiences as a serious spiritual setback, questioning the efficacy of Jesus' representatives and underscoring the formidable nature of the spiritual realm.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 9:40 contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **limitations of human power and authority** when separated from its divine source. Despite having been previously empowered by Jesus to perform such acts ([Luke 9:1-2](/luke/9-1-2 "Luke 9:1-2 - Jesus Commissions the Disciples")), the disciples' inability here underscores that their power is derivative, not inherent. Secondly, the verse highlights the **unique and ultimate sovereignty of Jesus** over all spiritual forces. Their failure serves to magnify His subsequent success, demonstrating that He alone possesses complete and unchallengeable authority over evil, as seen in His immediate and effortless expulsion of the demon in [Luke 9:42](/luke/9-42 "Luke 9:42 - Jesus Heals the Demon-Possessed Boy"). Finally, it introduces the theme of **the necessity of faith and dependence on God** in spiritual warfare, a point Jesus elaborates on in the parallel accounts (e.g., [Matthew 17:20-21](/matthew/17-20-21 "Matthew 17:20-21 - Faith and Prayer")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **besought (Greek, _déomai'_):** From G1189, this word signifies an earnest and desperate plea, a "begging" or "making request." It implies a deep need and a sense of urgency, reflecting the father's profound distress over his son's condition and his fervent hope for deliverance. The father's appeal is not casual but an urgent petition, as if binding himself to the request.
* **cast him out (Greek, _ekbállō'_):** From G1544, this term literally means "to eject," "drive out," or "expel." It is the standard biblical term used for exorcism, indicating a forceful removal of an unwanted presence. The father's request was for a complete and decisive liberation of his son from the demon's influence, a task the disciples were unable to accomplish.
* **could not (Greek, _dýnamai'_ with _ou'_):** The combination of G1410 (_dýnamai_, "to be able or possible") and G3756 (_ou_, "no" or "not") conveys an absolute inability or lack of power. It's not that they chose not to, or that they struggled, but that they were utterly incapable of performing the requested act. This stark declaration emphasizes their complete spiritual impotence in this specific situation, despite their previous empowerment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I besought thy disciples":** This clause reveals the father's initial action: he approached Jesus' disciples, likely seeing them as representatives of Jesus and possessing His authority. His "besought" (déomai) indicates a desperate and earnest appeal, born out of profound suffering and hope for his son's deliverance. He had placed his trust in their ability, which Jesus had previously granted them.
* **"to cast him out;":** This specifies the purpose of the father's plea—the exorcism of the demon from his son. The phrase "cast him out" (ekbállō) denotes a forceful and complete expulsion, highlighting the severity of the son's affliction and the father's desire for total liberation.
* **"and they could not."** This final, blunt statement delivers the devastating outcome: the disciples' complete failure. The "could not" (ouk ēdynēthēsan) signifies an absolute lack of power or ability on their part. This failure is central to the narrative, setting the stage for Jesus' powerful intervention and His subsequent teaching on the source of true spiritual authority and effectiveness.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Contrast** is immediately evident, juxtaposing the glorious, powerful scene of the Transfiguration on the mountain with the grim reality of spiritual impotence and human suffering in the valley below. This contrast highlights the chasm between divine power and limited human capability. There is also a degree of **Irony**, as the disciples had previously been commissioned and empowered by Jesus to cast out demons ([Luke 9:1](/luke/9-1 "Luke 9:1 - Jesus Empowers His Disciples")), yet they fail in this critical moment. This unexpected failure serves to underscore the conditional nature of their power and their dependence on Christ. Furthermore, the disciples' inability serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, pointing to the unique and unparalleled authority of Jesus over all spiritual forces, making His subsequent successful exorcism even more profound and demonstrating that ultimate power resides in Him alone.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The disciples' inability to cast out the demon in Luke 9:40 serves as a profound theological lesson on the source and nature of spiritual power. It underscores that spiritual authority is not an inherent possession but a derived gift, entirely dependent on a living, active connection with Jesus Christ. Their failure reveals the limitations of human effort and even divinely delegated authority when faith falters or when the spiritual battle requires a deeper reliance on God's unique power. This incident reminds believers that true effectiveness in ministry, especially in the realm of spiritual warfare, is rooted in humble dependence on Christ's sovereignty, rather than on personal strength or past successes. It teaches that some spiritual strongholds demand a level of faith and spiritual discipline that transcends mere instruction or initial empowerment.

* [Matthew 17:19-20](/matthew/17-19-20 "Matthew 17:19-20 - The Disciples' Question and Jesus' Answer on Faith"): The parallel account where Jesus attributes the disciples' failure to their lack of faith, emphasizing that even a small amount of faith can move mountains.
* [Mark 9:28-29](/mark/9-28-29 "Mark 9:28-29 - Jesus Explains the Need for Prayer and Fasting"): The parallel account where Jesus states that "this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting," highlighting the spiritual disciplines necessary for certain battles.
* [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Jesus, the True Vine"): Jesus teaches, "Apart from me you can do nothing," a foundational principle that perfectly encapsulates the disciples' experience of powerlessness in Luke 9:40.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 9:40 offers a humbling yet vital lesson for all believers engaged in spiritual service and facing life's formidable challenges. It reminds us that while God graciously empowers His followers for ministry, our effectiveness is never a result of our own inherent strength, experience, or past successes, but remains utterly dependent on our continuous reliance upon Christ. When we encounter situations that seem insurmountable, or when our efforts fall short despite our best intentions, this verse calls us to a deeper posture of humility and dependence. It is an invitation to examine the source of our power, to cultivate a more profound faith, and to recognize that true spiritual authority flows from an intimate, abiding relationship with the Lord. Our moments of inability are not necessarily signs of ultimate failure, but rather divine opportunities to redirect our gaze from our own capabilities to the infinite power of God, pressing into prayer and seeking His face for the strength and wisdom needed to overcome.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel a sense of "could not," and how might this be an invitation to lean more fully on Christ's power?**
* **How does the disciples' failure here challenge your understanding of spiritual authority and personal effectiveness in service to God?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper dependence on Jesus and a more robust faith in the face of spiritual challenges?**

### FAQ

**Why were the disciples unable to cast out the demon, despite having been empowered by Jesus earlier?**

Answer: While Luke 9:40 simply states "they could not," the parallel accounts in [Matthew 17:19-20](/matthew/17-19-20 "Matthew 17:19-20 - The Disciples' Question") and [Mark 9:28-29](/mark/9-28-29 "Mark 9:28-29 - Jesus Explains the Reason") provide Jesus' explanation. In Matthew, He attributes their failure to their "little faith," emphasizing that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can accomplish great things. In Mark, Jesus adds that "this kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting." This suggests that while they had been given general authority, this particular case required a deeper level of spiritual discipline, sustained prayer, and unwavering faith, which they lacked at that moment. It wasn't a loss of power, but a failure to access it through the necessary spiritual means.

**What does this incident teach us about faith and spiritual power today?**

Answer: This incident profoundly teaches that spiritual power is not a static endowment but a dynamic outflow of one's relationship with God. It underscores that genuine faith is not merely intellectual assent but an active, dependent trust in God's ability and willingness to act. When facing particularly stubborn spiritual opposition or seemingly impossible situations, believers are called to cultivate a deeper, more intentional reliance on God through prayer, potentially fasting, and unwavering confidence in His power. It reminds us that our effectiveness in ministry is always contingent upon our connection to Christ, as He states in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Jesus, the True Vine"), "Apart from me you can do nothing."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The disciples' striking failure in Luke 9:40, immediately contrasted with Jesus' effortless and authoritative expulsion of the demon, powerfully points to the unique and ultimate supremacy of Christ. While the disciples, as mere men, could falter and be limited by their faith or spiritual discipline, Jesus stands as the embodiment of divine authority and power. He is the one who truly has all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")), the one who has disarmed the powers and authorities and triumphed over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The father's desperate plea, met with human inability, finds its perfect fulfillment in Christ, the ultimate Deliverer who came to destroy the works of the devil ([1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil")) and free those held in bondage ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death")). This incident, therefore, magnifies Jesus as the one true King whose dominion over all spiritual forces is absolute, and through whom believers are enabled to participate in His victory, not by their own might, but by His indwelling Spirit ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.