Matthew 17:21

Context

Matthew 17:21, often enclosed in brackets in the King James Version (KJV), immediately follows the account of Jesus' disciples failing to cast out a demon from a young boy. After Jesus successfully performs the exorcism, the disciples privately ask Him, "Why could not we cast him out?" In Matthew 17:20, Jesus attributes their failure to their lack of faith, stating that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. Verse 21 then adds this crucial clarification regarding particularly stubborn spiritual strongholds.

It's important to note for KJV users that while this verse is integral to the KJV text, it is absent from some of the earliest and most prominent Greek manuscripts (like Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus), which is why it may be omitted or bracketed in many modern translations. However, its inclusion in the Textus Receptus, the primary Greek text for the KJV, highlights its historical significance within that tradition and its consistent message found elsewhere in Scripture.

Key Themes and Messages

• Spiritual Warfare and Authority: This verse underscores the reality of spiritual opposition and suggests that certain demonic forces require a deeper level of spiritual engagement. It implies that not all spiritual battles are fought with the same intensity or require the same spiritual discipline.
• The Power of Prayer: Prayer is presented as a fundamental and indispensable tool for believers to access God's power. It's not merely a suggestion but a requirement for overcoming significant spiritual obstacles. This highlights our dependence on God's strength, not our own.
• The Discipline of Fasting: Fasting, alongside prayer, is introduced as a powerful spiritual discipline. It is a means of humbling oneself before God, intensifying prayer, and sharpening spiritual focus by denying the flesh. This can lead to greater spiritual sensitivity and breakthrough.
• Deepening Faith: While Jesus initially pointed to their lack of faith in Matthew 17:20, this verse adds that cultivating a faith capable of confronting such "kinds" of spiritual opposition often involves dedicated prayer and fasting.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's inclusion of this verse reflects the textual tradition it followed. The phrase "this kind" (Greek: touto to genos) refers specifically to the type of demon or spiritual malady that the disciples encountered, implying a particularly entrenched or malicious spiritual entity. The words "prayer" (Greek: proseuchē) and "fasting" (Greek: nēsteia) are straightforward, emphasizing direct communication with God and self-denial as means of spiritual empowerment.

Practical Application

Matthew 17:21 offers timeless principles for believers facing persistent challenges, whether personal struggles, spiritual strongholds, or difficult circumstances that seem resistant to ordinary efforts:

• Intensified Spiritual Discipline: When confronted with deeply rooted issues or oppressive spiritual forces, believers are called to move beyond casual prayer to a more fervent and disciplined approach, often involving fasting. For more on the importance of prayer, see James 5:16.
• Reliance on God's Power: This verse reminds us that true victory in spiritual warfare comes from God, not from human strength or technique. Prayer and fasting are not magical formulas but acts of humble dependence on the Almighty.
• Spiritual Growth and Breakthrough: Engaging in prayer and fasting can lead to greater spiritual sensitivity, clarity, and breakthrough in areas where we have felt stuck. It's a pathway to experiencing God's transformative power in our lives and ministries. This aligns with the call to stand against spiritual wickedness in high places.