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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/40_Mat_17_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 17:21 - The Boy with a Demon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/17-20.htm" title="Matthew 17:20">◄</a> Matthew 17:21 <a href="/matthew/17-22.htm" title="Matthew 17:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/17.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/17.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/17.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/17.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />[“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />[But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />[But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/17.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />- - -<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/17.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/17.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />However, this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and fasting."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/17.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />[[and this kind does not go forth except in prayer and fasting.”]]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and this kind doth not go forth except in prayer and fasting.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />But this kind goes not forth but by prayer and fasting.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 17:20>But this kind is not cast out, except through prayer and fasting.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless this kind does not come out, except by fasting and prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />“But this kind does not go out except by fasting and by prayer.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But this kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />But this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.<CM><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />however, such a distemper is not to be removed but by prayer and fasting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and fasting."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>["But this kind goes not out, except by prayer and fasting.]<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>But this kind is not <Fr><i>to be</i><FR> cast out but by prayer and fasting.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/17-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4977" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/17.htm">The Boy with a Demon</a></span><br>……<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/9-29.htm">Mark 9:29</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Matthew 6:16-18</a></span><br />When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-21.htm">Matthew 21:21-22</a></span><br />“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. / If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9-10</a></span><br />So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">1 Corinthians 7:5</a></span><br />Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2-3</a></span><br />While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-6.htm">Isaiah 58:6</a></span><br />Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/8-21.htm">Ezra 8:21-23</a></span><br />And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. / For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.” / So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and He granted our request.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4</a></span><br />When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-3.htm">2 Chronicles 20:3</a></span><br />Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5-10</a></span><br />And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. / When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. / Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Esther 4:16</a></span><br />“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">However, this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.</p><p class="hdg">this.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/12-45.htm">Matthew 12:45</a></b></br> Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last <i>state</i> of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.</p><p class="hdg">but.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/17-20.htm">1 Kings 17:20,21</a></b></br> And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3</a></b></br> And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/mark/9-29.htm">Mark 9:29</a></b></br> And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/9-33.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/matthew/16-4.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/17-8.htm">Except</a> <a href="/matthew/15-32.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/matthew/16-21.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/daniel/10-21.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/matthew/13-21.htm">However</a> <a href="/matthew/16-22.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/matthew/9-38.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/matthew/17-8.htm">Save</a> <a href="/matthew/17-18.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/mark/9-29.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/matthew/18-32.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/matthew/18-3.htm">Except</a> <a href="/mark/2-18.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/matthew/20-1.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/mark/5-19.htm">Howbeit</a> <a href="/matthew/18-30.htm">However</a> <a href="/matthew/27-44.htm">Kind</a> <a href="/matthew/21-13.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/matthew/18-11.htm">Save</a> <a href="/matthew/22-43.htm">Spirit</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 17</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">The transfiguration of Jesus.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/17-14.htm">He heals the boy with a demon,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/17-22.htm">foretells his own passion,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/17-24.htm">and pays tribute.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/17.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/17.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But this kind</b><br>This phrase refers to a specific type of demon or spiritual challenge that requires a deeper level of spiritual engagement. In the context of <a href="/matthew/17.htm">Matthew 17</a>, Jesus is addressing the disciples' inability to cast out a demon from a boy. The term "this kind" suggests that there are varying levels of spiritual warfare, and some require more than the usual approach. This aligns with <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>, which speaks of wrestling against spiritual forces of evil.<p><b>does not go out</b><br>The phrase indicates the necessity of a deliberate and powerful action to expel the demon. In the Gospels, Jesus often casts out demons with a word, demonstrating His authority over the spiritual realm. The disciples' failure here highlights the need for a deeper reliance on spiritual disciplines. This echoes <a href="/mark/9-29.htm">Mark 9:29</a>, where Jesus also emphasizes the need for prayer.<p><b>except by prayer</b><br>Prayer is presented as a crucial element in overcoming significant spiritual obstacles. It is a means of aligning oneself with God's will and accessing His power. Throughout the Bible, prayer is shown as a powerful tool for believers, as seen in <a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a>, which states that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Jesus Himself often withdrew to pray, setting an example for His followers.<p><b>and fasting.</b><br>Fasting, coupled with prayer, is depicted as a way to intensify one's spiritual focus and dependence on God. In biblical times, fasting was a common practice for seeking God's guidance, repentance, or deliverance, as seen in the story of Esther (<a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Esther 4:16</a>) and the early church (<a href="/acts/13-2.htm">Acts 13:2-3</a>). Fasting is a form of self-denial that can heighten spiritual sensitivity and demonstrate earnestness in seeking God's intervention.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The central figure in this passage, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the spiritual discipline required to cast out certain demons.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a></b><br>Followers of Jesus who were unable to cast out a demon from a boy, prompting Jesus to explain the necessity of prayer and fasting.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_boy_with_a_demon.htm">The Boy with a Demon</a></b><br>A young boy possessed by a demon, whose condition prompted the discussion on spiritual authority and discipline.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_father_of_the_boy.htm">The Father of the Boy</a></b><br>He brought his son to Jesus after the disciples failed to heal him, demonstrating faith and desperation for his son's deliverance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_region_of_galilee.htm">The Region of Galilee</a></b><br>The geographical setting where this event takes place, a region where Jesus performed many miracles and teachings.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer_and_fasting.htm">The Power of Prayer and Fasting</a></b><br>Prayer and fasting are powerful spiritual disciplines that prepare believers to face spiritual challenges and exercise authority over demonic forces.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_spiritual_authority.htm">Faith and Spiritual Authority</a></b><br>Faith is essential in exercising spiritual authority. Jesus highlights that certain spiritual victories require a deeper level of faith, cultivated through prayer and fasting.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>This passage teaches believers to rely on God's power rather than their own strength. Prayer and fasting are ways to express dependence on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_preparation.htm">Spiritual Preparation</a></b><br>Just as Jesus prepared His disciples, believers today must be spiritually prepared to face challenges. Regular prayer and fasting can strengthen one's spiritual readiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a></b><br>The disciples' inability to cast out the demon reminds us of the importance of community and seeking support from fellow believers in spiritual battles.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 17</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_were_verses_removed_from_niv.htm">Why were certain verses removed from the NIV Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/which_bible_verses_support_exorcism.htm">What Bible verses support Christian exorcism practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_power_does_praying_together_hold.htm">What power does praying together hold?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_a_spiritual_spouse.htm">What is a spiritual spouse?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/17.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.</span>--The words imply degrees in the intensity of the forms of evil ascribed to demons amounting to a generic difference. Some might yield before the energy of a human will, and the power of the divine Name, and the prayers even of a weak faith. Some, like that which comes before us here, required a greater intensity of the spiritual life, to be gained by the "prayer and fasting" of which our Lord speaks. The circumstances of the case render it probable that our Lord himself had vouchsafed to fulfil both the conditions. The disciples, we know, did not as yet fast (<a href="/context/matthew/9-14.htm" title="Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but your disciples fast not?">Matthew 9:14-15</a>), and the facts imply that they had been weak and remiss in prayer. The words are noticeable as testifying to the real ground and motive for "fasting," and to the gain for the higher life to be obtained, when it was accompanied by true prayer, by this act of conquest over the lower nature. So St. Peter's vision (<a href="/context/acts/10-9.htm" title="On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew near to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:">Acts 10:9-10</a>), and the appointment of Paul and Barnabas by the direct guidance of the Spirit (<a href="/acts/13-2.htm" title="As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.">Acts 13:2</a>), are both connected with fasting. And St. Paul, besides the "hunger and thirst" that came upon him as the incidents of his mission-work, speaks of himself as "in fastings often" (<a href="/2_corinthians/11-27.htm" title="In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.">2Corinthians 11:27</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - This verse is omitted in many good manuscripts and by the Revised Version, it being considered to have been introduced from the parallel passage of St. Mark. It gives the second reason for the failure of the nine. <span class="cmt_word">This kind... fasting.</span> Though all things are possible to faith, some works are more difficult of accomplishment than others. <span class="accented">This kind</span> can mean only this kind of evil spirit, or demons generally. But the latter interpretation is excluded by the fact that the apostles had already exercised successfully their power over devils without special prayer or fasting. The words point to a truth in the spiritual world, that there are different degrees in the Satanic hierarchy (comp. <a href="/matthew/12-45.htm">Matthew 12:45</a>); some demons are more malignant than others, and have greater power over the souls of men. In the present case the possession was of long standing; it revolved a terrible bodily malady; it was of an intense and unusual character. The mere word of exorcism, or the name of Jesus, spoken with little spiritual faith, could net overcome the mighty enemy. The exorcist needed special preparation; he must inspire and augment his faith by prayer and self-discipline. Prayer invokes the aid of God, and puts one's self unreservedly in his hands; fasting subdues the flesh, arouses the soul's energies, brings into exercise the higher parts of man's nature. Thus equipped, a man is open to receive power from on high, and can quell the assaults of the evil one. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/17-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">But</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A weak adversative particle, generally placed second in its clause; but, on the other hand, and.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">this</span><br /><span class="grk">Τοῦτο</span> <span class="translit">(Touto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3778.htm">Strong's 3778: </a> </span><span class="str2">This; he, she, it.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kind</span><br /><span class="grk">γένος</span> <span class="translit">(genos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1085.htm">Strong's 1085: </a> </span><span class="str2">Offspring, family, race, nation, kind.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">does not go out,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐκπορεύεται</span> <span class="translit">(ekporeuetai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1607.htm">Strong's 1607: </a> </span><span class="str2">To depart from; to be voided, cast out; to proceed from, to be spoken; to burst forth, flow out, to be spread abroad.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">except</span><br /><span class="grk">εἰ</span> <span class="translit">(ei)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> </span><span class="str2">If.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐν</span> <span class="translit">(en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> </span><span class="str2">In, on, among.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">prayer</span><br /><span class="grk">προσευχῇ</span> <span class="translit">(proseuchē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4336.htm">Strong's 4336: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) prayer (to God), (b) a place for prayer (used by Jews, perhaps where there was no synagogue).</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fasting.</span><br /><span class="grk">νηστείᾳ</span> <span class="translit">(nēsteia)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3521.htm">Strong's 3521: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fasting, the day of atonement.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/17-21.htm">Matthew 17:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/17-21.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 17:21 But this kind doesn't go out except (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/17-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 17:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 17:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/17-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 17:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 17:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>