Matthew 17:10-20

10 Then the disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah has to come first?" ¹

11 "Elijah is indeed coming first," answered Jesus, "and he will get everything ready. ²

12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come and people did not recognize him, but treated him just as they pleased. In the same way they will also mistreat the Son of Man." ³

13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

14 When they returned to the crowd, a man came to Jesus, knelt before him,

15 and said, "Sir, have mercy on my son! He is an epileptic and has such terrible attacks that he often falls in the fire or into water.

16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."

17 Jesus answered, "How unbelieving and wrong you people are! How long must I stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me!"

18 Jesus gave a command to the demon, and it went out of the boy, and at that very moment he was healed.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked him, "Why couldn't we drive the demon out?"

20 "It was because you do not have enough faith," answered Jesus. "I assure you that if you have faith as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this hill, "Go from here to there!' and it will go. You could do anything!" ⁴

Cross References

• 1. 17.10Malachi 4.5.
• 2. +217.11Ben Sira 48.10.
• 3. 17.12Matthew 11.14.
• 4. 17.20Matthew 21.21;Mark 11.23;1 Corinthians 13.2.

Footnotes

• [a]. [Some manuscripts add verse 21:] But only prayer and fasting can drive this kind out; nothing else can [(see Mk 9.29).]