Feb 28, 2021
14 When they came to the other
disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of
the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus,
they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet
him.
16 “What are you arguing with
them about?” he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered,
“Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that
has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him
to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes
rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they
could not.”
19 “You unbelieving generation,”
Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I
put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought him. When the
spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion.
He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the
mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father,
“How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. 22
“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you
can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus.
“Everything is possible for one who believes.”
24 Immediately the boy’s father
exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my
unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd
was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf
and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and
never enter him again.”
26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed
him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse
that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and
lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors,
his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it
out?”
29 He replied, “This kind can
come out only by prayer.”