Matthew 17:18

And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} rebuked {G2008} the devil {G1140}; and {G2532} he {G846} departed {G1831} out of {G575} him {G846}: and {G2532} the child {G3816} was cured {G2323} from {G575} that very {G1565} hour {G5610}.

Yeshua rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, so that from that moment he was healed.

Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour.

Commentary

Matthew 17:18 KJV describes a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, showcasing His supreme authority over spiritual forces and immediate healing power. This verse concludes the narrative of a boy suffering from severe seizures, brought to Jesus after His disciples failed to deliver him.

Context

This event immediately follows the Transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain. Upon descending, Jesus encounters a desperate father whose son was afflicted by a demon, causing him to suffer greatly, often falling into fire or water. The father had initially brought his son to Jesus' disciples, but they were unable to cast out the demon, leading to their later questioning of Jesus (see Matthew 17:16 and Matthew 17:19). Jesus' action here is a direct demonstration of divine power contrasting with human limitation and lack of faith.

Key Themes

  • Jesus' Unquestionable Authority: The verse powerfully illustrates Jesus' absolute dominion over demonic forces. His mere "rebuke" (Greek: epetimēsen, implying a stern command) was sufficient to compel the demon to depart instantly. This highlights His unique position as the Son of God, possessing all power in heaven and on earth.
  • Immediate and Complete Deliverance: The phrase "departed out of him" and "the child was cured from that very hour" emphasizes the instantaneous and thorough nature of the healing. There was no lingering illness or partial recovery; the child was made whole at once.
  • Power of Faith: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the preceding and following verses (Matthew 17:19-20) reveal that the disciples' inability stemmed from their lack of faith. Jesus' successful casting out of the demon underscores the importance of a deep, unwavering faith for spiritual power and effective ministry. Jesus often linked faith to miraculous outcomes.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "rebuked" (Greek: epetimēsen) is significant. It's not a plea or a prayer, but a direct, authoritative command, characteristic of Jesus' interactions with evil spirits (cf. Mark 1:27).
  • "Devil" here is from the Greek daimonion, which refers to a demon or evil spirit, not the chief devil, Satan, though demons are under his dominion.
  • "Cured" (Greek: etherapeuthē) indicates a complete restoration to health, not just a temporary relief of symptoms.

Practical Application

Matthew 17:18 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that:

  • Jesus' Power Endures: The same authority Jesus exercised over evil spirits two millennia ago is still available to those who believe in Him. He remains sovereign over all forms of darkness and oppression.
  • Hope for Deliverance: For those struggling with spiritual oppression, addiction, or seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse points to Jesus as the ultimate source of freedom and healing.
  • Call to Deeper Faith: Understanding the disciples' failure in context (Matthew 17:20) prompts us to examine our own faith. It encourages us to cultivate a deeper, more trusting relationship with God, recognizing that with God, nothing is impossible.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 9:22 (4 votes)

    But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

  • Matthew 15:28 (2 votes)

    Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great [is] thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

  • Acts 16:18 (2 votes)

    And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

  • Mark 5:8 (2 votes)

    For he said unto him, Come out of the man, [thou] unclean spirit.

  • Luke 9:42 (2 votes)

    And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare [him]. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

  • Luke 4:35 (2 votes)

    And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

  • Luke 4:36 (2 votes)

    And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word [is] this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.