Mat 17:14-18 | Barnes | STEP | Verses 14-21. This narrative, with some additions, is found in . Verse 14. And when they were come to the multitude . This took place on the day following the transfiguration, . This multitude was probably composed of persons who had attended on his ministry, and many of whom were his real disciples. With them , as Mark informs us, were scribes questioning with them. That is, they were probably professedly making inquiries about the Saviour, but really attempting to introduce their own sentiments, and to draw them off from him. They probably artfully asked them many questions about his birth, his family, his appearance, his manner of life, and his instructions, all which were contrary to the general expectation respecting the Messiah; and they intended, therefore, to insinuate that such a person could not be the Christ. The people were persuaded of it, and it would not have done to have attacked their opinions openly, but they attempted to gain the same point by sly insinuations. Error is always subtle, and often puts on the appearance of calm and honest inquiry. Well had he compared them to leaven , . The multitude, seeing Jesus coming down, left the scribes, and ran to meet him, (Mark.) They were amazed , probably because they had not expected to see him there. In their joy at meeting him in this unexpected manner, they saluted him, (Mark;) i.e., they probably prostrated themselves before him, after the manner of salutation in eastern countries. . Jesus, seeing the scribes and their artful design, reproved them by asking them why they questioned thus with his disciples? . Conscious of their guilt and their base purpose, they returned no answer. A certain man kneeling down to him . That is, saluting him, or showing high regard for him. . It did not imply religious homage, but merely high respect and earnest entreaty. (p) "And when"

Matthew 17:14-18

Verses 14-21. This narrative, with some additions, is found in Mk 9:14-29, Lk 9:37-43.

Verse 14. And when they were come to the multitude. This took place on the day following the transfiguration, Lk 9:37. This multitude was probably composed of persons who had attended on his ministry, and many of whom were his real disciples. With them, as Mark Mk 9:14 informs us, were scribes questioning with them. That is, they were probably professedly making inquiries about the Saviour, but really attempting to introduce their own sentiments, and to draw them off from him. They probably artfully asked them many questions about his birth, his family, his appearance, his manner of life, and his instructions, all which were contrary to the general expectation respecting the Messiah; and they intended, therefore, to insinuate that such a person could not be the Christ. The people were persuaded of it, and it would not have done to have attacked their opinions openly, but they attempted to gain the same point by sly insinuations. Error is always subtle, and often puts on the appearance of calm and honest inquiry. Well had he compared them to leaven, Mt 16:11,12. The multitude, seeing Jesus coming down, left the scribes, and ran to meet him, (Mark.) They were amazed, probably because they had not expected to see him there. In their joy at meeting him in this unexpected manner, they saluted him, (Mark;) i.e., they probably prostrated themselves before him, after the manner of salutation in eastern countries. Lk 10:4. Jesus, seeing the scribes and their artful design, reproved them by asking them why they questioned thus with his disciples? Mk 9:16. Conscious of their guilt and their base purpose, they returned no answer.

A certain man kneeling down to him. That is, saluting him, or showing high regard for him. Lk 10:4. It did not imply religious homage, but merely high respect and earnest entreaty.

(p) "And when" Mk 9:14, Lk 9:37 Verse 15. Lord, have mercy. The word Lord here means Sir, a title of civility, not implying Divinity.

My son. This was an only son, (Luke.) He was possessed with a devil. This calamity was attended with the following symptoms:--he was lunatic, Mt 4:24; he was sore vexed, i.e., he suffered greatly, or was greatly afflicted; he fell often suddenly in the manner of persons having epileptic fits; he was dumb, that is, he was dumb except when the fit was coming on him; for Luke says, that when the spirit took him, he cried suddenly out; he foamed and gnashed with his teeth, and wasted away, or became poor and emaciated. It tore him, (Luke,) and scarcely departed from him, or he had only short intervals of reason; for so the passage in Luke, bruising him, hardly departeth from him," should be translated. Verse 16. And I brought him to thy disciples, etc. That is, not to the apostles, for they had power over unclean spirits, Mt 10:8 but to others of his followers, who attempted to work miracles. It is probable that many of his disciples attempted this, who were not personal attendants on his ministry, Mk 9:38. Verse 17. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation! Perverse means that which is twisted or turned from the proper direction; and is often used of the eyes, when one or both are turned from the natural position. Applied to a generation, or race of men, it means that they hold opinions turned or perverted from the truth, and that they were wicked in their conduct. He applied this probably to the Jews, and not to his real disciples.

How long shall I suffer you? That is, how long shall I bear with you? How long is it necessary to show such patience and forbearance with your unbelief and perversity? This was not an expression of impatience or complaint, so much as a proof that they were so slow to believe that he was the Messiah, notwithstanding his miracles, and that even his disciples so slowly learned to put the proper trust in him.

Mark adds, (Mk 9:20-22,) that when he that was possessed was brought, the spirit, by a last desperate struggle, threw him down, and tore him, and left him apparently dead. He adds farther, that the case had existed during the whole life of his son, from a child. This was a case of uncommon obstinacy. The affliction was fixed and lasting. The disciples, seeing the obstinacy of the case--seeing him dumb, wasted away, torn, and foaming--despaired of being able to cure him. They lacked the faith which was necessary; doubted whether they could cure him, and therefore could not.

Jesus said to the father, Mk 9:23 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." That is, this cure shall be effected if you have faith. Not that his faith would give Jesus the power to heal him, but it would render it proper that he should exert that power in his favour. In this way, and in this only, are all things possible to believers. The man had faith, Mk 9:24. The father came, as a father should do, weeping, and praying that his faith might be increased, so as to make it proper that Jesus should interpose in his behalf, and save his child. "Help my unbelief," (Mk 9:24). This was an expression of humility. If my faith is defective, supply what is lacking. Help me to overcome my unbelief. Let not the defect of my faith be in the way of this blessing. Verse 18. And Jesus rebuked the devil. The word rebuke has the combined force of reproving and commanding. He reproved him for having afflicted the child, and he commanded him to come out of him. Mk 9:25 has recorded the words which he used--words implying reproof and command: "Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him." And the spirit cried, and with a mighty convulsion came out, leaving him apparently dead. Jesus lifted him up by the hand, (Mark,) and gave him to his father, (Luke.)