Matthew (Written)

Thursday, 5 March 2026

Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” Matthew 17:19

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then, the disciples having come to Jesus off alone, they said, ‘Through what we – not we could eject it?’” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus admonished the demon, and it came out of the boy, curing the boy immediately. Matthew next records, “Then, the disciples having come to Jesus off alone.”

Matthew’s gospel does not give the location of this verse, as if it could have been right there where the boy was cured. However, Mark says, “And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately…”

It appears they were embarrassed about their public failure, and probably timid because of His admonishment of them. As such, they departed to a house, at which time they could readdress the matter without any pokes of laughter or ridicule from the people. With them gathered in the house, “they said, ‘Through what we – not we could eject it?’”

It is an obvious question. The twelve had been sent out to tend to the ministry in Matthew 10 with the words, “Being feeble – you cure, leprous – you cleanse, dead – you rouse, demons – you eject. Freely you received, freely you give” (CG). In Luke 10, at the return of the seventy, it said, “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’”

So this was a part of the ministry they participated in. Despite this, they were collectively unable to cast out this boy’s demon, and they didn’t know why.

Life application: As noted, it seems the disciples were ashamed of their inability to do what they had previously been charged to do. And yet, some of these same men either wrote or were certainly consulted about the events regarding their time with Jesus.

This is common among people. We don’t want to look dumb in front of others. However, with the passing of time, we openly speak about how stupid, naive, etc., we were in the past. It is as if the past gives us a buffer from the state we once were in, allowing us to convey things that we wouldn’t have dreamt of mentioning when the event occurred.

Time is both a teacher and a healer. As we get older, we gain more experience in matters (well, if we are willing to learn from our mistakes and those we see in others), and we also mature in our ability to let go of things that we once held close.

Time allows us to process events and resolve them in our minds. It is common after a war for soldiers to come home and refuse to mention any of the horrors they experienced. And yet, after considering the events over months or years, it normally becomes easier to open up and share what happened with others.

The disciples took in the things that happened and were able to convey them to us with notes concerning their own imperfections to teach us that it is ok to accept our own failings. This is true with the events of those in the Old Testament as well.

David’s failings, along with his victories, times of anger, and so forth, were put into psalms. He was able to express to us how those events affected his life. From there, God chose these recorded events to place in His word, having inspired them for us to learn from.

Keep reading the Bible. As events in our lives occur, we can see similar events occurring in the lives of others from the past. From there, we can see how God used those events to reveal many things to us, if we are willing to learn what He is telling us.

The Bible is an ever-relevant manual on how we can more perfectly run our lives if we will take advantage of its contents.

Lord God, thank You that Your word is so open and frank about human activity. We can learn so much about our own lives and how to deal with our personal circumstances by knowing what Your word says about such things. What a great life manual You have given to us. Thank You for this wonderful word. Amen.

Wednesday, 4 March 2026

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Matthew 17:18

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And Jesus, He admonished it, and the demon, it proceeded from him, and the boy, he was cured from that hour” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus called those who were unable to heal the boy a perverse generation, wondering how long He would have to be with them and uphold them. He then asked them to bring the boy to Him. Matthew next records, “And Jesus, He admonished it.”

The verb is masculine, as is the next verb, which refers to the demon. Therefore, it is debated who is being referred to. The Pulpit Commentary says, “Some take the pronoun as masculine, and refer it to the diseased boy; but it is more natural that the rebuke should be addressed to the possessing demon.”

They are right. Despite the boy being the nearest antecedent (Bring him here to Me) of the previous verse, Mark tells us who Jesus was speaking to –

“When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!’ ²⁶ Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, ‘He is dead.’ ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.” Mark 9:25-27

One would normally assume that the nearest antecedent, the boy, would be the subject, but Matthew took the additional care of explaining the verb after the fact, saying, “and the demon, it proceeded from him.”

Though this is not the usual way grammar is used, it is acceptable, especially if one knows there is another gospel record to be referred to. Though each gospel is a standalone account, together they form a larger tapestry of what is happening in accounts such as this. With the demon out of the boy, it next says, “and the boy, he was cured from that hour.”

The meaning of “from that hour” is “immediately.” That is to be understood from Mark as well.

Life application: Whatever specifics the scribes and the disciples were arguing over (as indicated in Mark 9), the fact is that none of them were able to restore the boy to normalcy. And more, the father wouldn’t have just waited around hoping the Messiah would show up someday. He would have consulted physicians, those at the local synagogue, and anyone else who might be able to help.

And yet, his son remained in his tragic state. But when Jesus arrived on the scene, it was a few moments of discussion and then instant healing. This is just the same as our salvation. We may entreat eastern religions, seek out spiritualists, meet up with mediums, consult the Koran, or open up the Upanishads, but there is no light and no healing in them.

But the moment we come to Christ, accepting the gospel of our salvation, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13, 14). There is no delay, no second-guessing, and no “taking it back” by God at a later date. Rather, there is immediate relief from the burden of sin and total healing of the soul. The connection to God is restored, and we are – from that moment and forever – accepted into His kingdom.

Try to always remember the joy of that moment. Carry it with you and remind yourself of it often. The more you hold close the wonder of that day, the better off you will be when times of trial and trouble trickle into your life. They will not be able to overtake you when you remember that everything here is just a temporary step on the way to eternal glory.

Lord God, how grateful we are for the immediate and eternal salvation that came to us the day we believed. Thank You for the assurance we possess. We are saved! Yes, saved forever because of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Hallelujah and amen.

Tuesday, 3 March 2026

Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” Matthew 17:17

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And Jesus, answering, He said, ‘O! Generation disbelieving and having been mangled! I will be with you until when? I will uphold you until when? You carry him here to Me’” (CG).

In the previous verse, the father of the moonstruck boy told Jesus that he brought the boy to His disciples, but they could not heal him. Matthew next records, “And Jesus, answering, He said, ‘O! Generation disbelieving and having been mangled!’”

Two new words are seen here. The first is the adjective apistos, which is derived from the negative particle a and pistos, faithful or believing. Thus, it signifies unbelieving. The second is the verb diastrephó. It is derived from dia, through, and strephó, to twist. Thus, it signifies thoroughly twisted.

A word that gets the sense is mangle. It is as if everything expected of the generation had been clenched in the hands of time and been so warped that nothing of what was originally intended is seen. The use of the perfect participle (having been mangled) indicates that this is how it has been since some point in the past, and it continued to be that way even since Jesus’ coming. Essentially, they had learned nothing from His ministry. He continues, saying, “I will be with you until when?”

If nothing had been learned to this point, there was much to do to untangle the deformity of the people. This would be inclusive of the scribes who stood there accusing the disciples, as well as the disciples themselves.

By this time, Jesus had performed innumerable miracles. Along with that, His words of wisdom and His perfection before the law should have been sufficient to convince them of the divine nature of His ministry.

But unless their instructors, both Israel’s leaders and His disciples, could unite in agreeing that He was truly from God, He would have to continue to instruct them. Therefore, He restates the sentiment, saying, “I will uphold you until when?”

Another new word is seen, the verb anechó. It is derived from ana, up, and echo, to hold. Thus, it is the act of upholding. He questions how long He would have to carry the burdensome weight of their unbelief, along with their twisted views concerning the things of God. As a sort of poke at them based on this clause, He says, “You carry him here to Me.”

In other words, “If I have to keep upholding you, you might as well do the little you are qualified for and carry the boy to Me.” It is an ironic poke at all of them for not having the faith to do what they had been instructed and an opportunity to see how God can, in fact, untangle things that are a result of the consequences of sin.

Life application: The fact of the matter, based on Jesus’ questions, is that those in attendance were never capable of upholding their responsibilities, even to the time of, and after, His crucifixion. Thomas proved that his faith was lacking even when the other apostles told him that Jesus had been resurrected. He needed sight to validate what his cold heart could not accept by faith.

Without the coming of the Spirit, things would have very quickly devolved into a total lack of cohesion, and the faith would have died out. Likewise, both Israel and the world have continued in a mangled state, even to this day. The church has marched along, often its own worst enemy. Israel has continued without Jesus and in a state of rejection because of it.

Only those who have been saved and sealed with the Spirit are capable of properly continuing the cause of Christ. However, unless they are willing to apply themselves, learn what Scripture teaches, and then act in accord with it, they will remain just as mangled as the rest of the world in their thinking and actions.

Jesus’ rebuke was directed to those around Him, but the truth of His words is not limited to the moment in which He spoke. The seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation clearly show that this is true.

Let each one of us do our best to help direct the world and those around us to a right and proper understanding of what Christ has done and how it impacts, and will impact, everything around us. This is our calling, and it all begins with faith. Ground yourself in the faith of Jesus Christ and then go forth in that state.

Glorious Lord God, how desperately the world needs You. If Israel couldn’t carry the message properly, and if the church continues to fail at it, then this should alert us that we need to renew our thinking, directing it to Your word, and then conforming our thoughts and intents to honor You. Help us in this, to Your glory. Amen.

Monday, 2 March 2026

So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” Matthew 17:16

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And I presented him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him” (CG).

In the previous verse, a man came to Jesus begging him to have mercy on his moonstruck son because of his suffering. He often fell into fire and into water. He continues, saying, “And I presented him to Your disciples.”

This would have been the nine apostles and any other disciples who accompanied them who did not go with Jesus and the others up the mountain. It would have been inclusive of Matthew, who is recalling the account to share in his gospel. Understanding this, Matthew continues, “and they could not cure him.”

This would explain why Mark says the scribes were disputing with them. They were unable to cure the man’s son, but obviously had attempted to do so. The scribes probably chimed right in, calling them false teachers. This would have then elicited a response concerning their abilities and those of Jesus.

The entire scene comes alive when considering the accusations of the scribes. But it also shows a failing of the disciples, being unable to tend to the need placed before them. Of this verse, Albert Barnes says –

“And I brought him to thy disciples … – That is, not to the apostles, for they had power over unclean spirits Matthew 10:8, but to others of his followers who attempted to work miracles.”

That analysis belies the entire context of what is presented. It appears that it is exactly because they were there and unable to cure the boy that the account is so remarkable. Their schooling was incomplete, and their faith in the Lord and His provision was lacking.

Life application: The purpose of the miraculous healings during Jesus’ ministry and during the time of the apostles served several purposes. One of them was to establish that He was the Messiah of Israel. He presented the power of God to the people as a witness that God was with Him and He was dwelling among them as prophesied.

A second purpose was that Jesus and His ministry became a sign to the people of their own inability to see, understand, and appreciate the work of the Lord, even when it was directly in front of their eyes and in exacting fulfillment of their own Scriptures.

Therefore, they were without excuse in their unbelief, and God was fully justified in His rejection of them. This is laid out carefully in the law and the prophets. The Song of Moses in Deuteronomy 32 spells out their history, including God’s rejection of them, quite clearly.

If this is true with His own nation, selected from out of all the people groups of the world, then think about it from the opposite perspective. How pleased God must be when those who had never been told of God’s Messiah hear and believe!

They didn’t have the ancient prophecies. They weren’t expecting a Messiah. They had no national, social, or cultural connection to the God of Israel, and yet they heard the word, believed the proposition set forth in the gospel, and accepted what they had been told by faith.

What God couldn’t get out of His own chosen nation, He gets daily and around the world from open and receptive hearts of people longing for release from the burdens they carry. Nothing is more precious than to know that we have been redeemed by such a wonderful, loving, and caring God.

May we always remember the joy of our salvation, and may we be willing to share that joy with others who so desperately need it as well.

Glorious Lord God, how thankful we are to You for having sent Jesus to save not only those of Israel, but people from around the world. You have exalted us to heaven itself when all we deserved was condemnation and eternal separation from You. Thank You for Your tender mercies, O God. Amen.

Sunday, 1 March 2026

“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. Matthew 17:15

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Lord, You compassionated my son, for he moon-strikes and he suffers badly, for frequently he falls into the fire and frequently into the water.” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus and the disciples came down from the mountain, and a man came to Him, kneeling before Him to petition Him. Matthew records his words, saying, “Lord, You compassionated my son.”

Luke’s gospel notes that the man said, “he is my only child.” It is an additional mark of desperation that certainly touched Jesus’ emotions. Having begun his plea, the father continues, saying, “for he moon-strikes.”

It is a new word, seléniazomai, to be moonstruck. It is derived from seléné, brilliancy. That, in turn, is used to describe the moon. That, along with the word haireó, to take for oneself or choose. Together, they give the sense of being moonstruck.

The exact meaning is debated. Some say it refers to epilepsy, others to being a lunatic (which is derived from the Latin lunaticus, referring to the luna, moon), or being demon-possessed. The symptoms are recorded in Mark and Luke –

“Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. ¹⁸ And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.” Mark 9:17, 18

“And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him.” Luke 9:39

The idea of being moonstruck is probably that he had cycles of symptoms that corresponded with the cycles of the moon. Because of his malady, Matthew continues, “and he suffers badly.”

Imagine the distress of the father having a child who was in such a state. It would be a frustration fraught existence with no hope of release. And the situation would be exacerbated with wounds or trauma because, as he says, “for frequently he falls into the fire and frequently into the water.”

Another new word is seen, pollakis, many times, and thus frequently. When an attack would come upon the boy, at any given moment, apparently, he may fall into a bonfire or fireplace, having been captivated by the flames. Or he may fall into a pond or some other body of water, having been captivated by the reflections.

For the father, this would have been a miserable plight and a tedious existence.

Life application: I know a man who has a son who is totally disabled. The son is confined to a wheelchair, cannot speak, but rather makes grunting noises, and his body is always twisted and contorted.

The father is infinitely patient with his son. He constantly speaks to him with soothing words, no matter how difficult the situation. He has to personally attend to him in the bathroom or for any other regular life function. And yet, he bears with the trial as if he were ordering a burger at McDonald’s.

Many times, I have thought, “I could not handle the difficulty that this person so caringly and patiently tends to for even a day.” And yet, he has been tending to his son for over forty years. God gives us what we can handle, and He allows afflictions into our lives for purposes that may be known only to Him.

In having a responsibility like one of these afflicted children, all we can do is throw ourselves at the mercy of God and beg for daily strength. And He is gracious to provide it. In the case of the father in Luke 17, Jesus will do something wonderful for him in the verses ahead.

In our case, He has promised to provide a life ahead without such trials and frustrations. Our faith will not go unrewarded. God is carefully attentive to all things that His children need. Be confident of this, and don’t lose hope when the days seem overwhelming. Lean on the Lord. He will get you through each one.

Lord God, each of us has our own burdens to carry. And You have given us the ability to do so when we put our confidence in You. The strength will come because You are a gracious and caring Father. May we confidently trust this as each day unfolds with its trials and difficulties. Amen.