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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 17:15 "Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/17-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/40_Mat_17_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 17:15 - The Boy with a Demon" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Lord, have mercy on my son, he said. He has seizures and is suffering terribly. 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He often falls into the fire or into the water. <a href="/nlt/matthew/17.htm">New Living Translation</a> “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. <a href="/esv/matthew/17.htm">English Standard Version</a> said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/bsb/matthew/17.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. <a href="/blb/matthew/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers miserably; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/kjv/matthew/17.htm">King James Bible</a> Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/17.htm">New King James Version</a> “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. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/17.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/nasb/matthew/17.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/17.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic, and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/lsb/matthew/17.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/amp/matthew/17.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic (moonstruck) and suffers terribly; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/csb/matthew/17.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/17.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Lord,&#8221 he said, &#8220have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/asv/matthew/17.htm">American Standard Version</a> Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft-times into the water. <a href="/cev/matthew/17.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and said, "Lord, have pity on my son! He has a bad case of epilepsy and often falls into a fire or into water. <a href="/erv/matthew/17.htm">English Revised Version</a> Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously: for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft-times into the water. <a href="/gwt/matthew/17.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> and said, "Sir, have mercy on my son. He suffers from seizures. Often he falls into fire or water. <a href="/gnt/matthew/17.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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. <a href="/isv/matthew/17.htm">International Standard Version</a> and said, "Sir, have mercy on my son, because he is an epileptic and suffers terribly. Often he falls into fire and often into water. <a href="/msb/matthew/17.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Lord, have mercy on my son,? he said. ?He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. <a href="/net/matthew/17.htm">NET Bible</a> and said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers terribly, for he often falls into the fire and into the water. <a href="/nheb/matthew/17.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and said, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/wbt/matthew/17.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic, and grievously distressed; for often he falleth into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/wey/matthew/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/web/matthew/17.htm">World English Bible</a> “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/17.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and saying, “Lord, deal kindly with my son, for he is [a] lunatic, and suffers miserably, for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water, <a href="/blb/matthew/17.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and saying, "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers miserably; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/ylt/matthew/17.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and saying, 'Sir, deal kindly with my son, for he is lunatic, and doth suffer miserably, for often he doth fall into the fire, and often into the water, <a href="/slt/matthew/17.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Lord, pity my son: for he is a lunatic, and suffers badly: for many times he falls into the fire, and many times into the water.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/17.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic, and suffereth much: for he falleth often into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/17.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> “Lord, take pity on my son, for he is an epileptic, and he suffers harm. For he frequently falls into fire, and often also into water. <a href="/nabre/matthew/17.htm">New American Bible</a> and said, “Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic and suffers severely; often he falls into fire, and often into water. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/17.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/17.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> My Lord, have mercy on me; my son is an epileptic and has become worse; he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/17.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And he said to him, “My lord, have mercy on me, my son has a lunatic demon and has become ill, for he has fallen many times into fire and many times into water.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/17.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and said: Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is a lunatic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/godbey/matthew/17.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son, because he is a lunatic and suffers terribly: for frequently he falls into the fire, and frequently into the water. <a href="/haweis/matthew/17.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Lord, have compassion on my son, for he is a lunatic, and suffers grievously; for oftentimes he falleth into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/mace/matthew/17.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is grievously afflicted with the epilepsy; he often falls into the fire, and frequently into the water. <a href="/wey/matthew/17.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water. <a href="/worrell/matthew/17.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> "Lord, have mercy on my son, because he is lunatic, and suffers grievously; for often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/worsley/matthew/17.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Lord, have compassion upon my son, for he is lunatic and grievously afflicted; for he often falleth into the fire, and often into the water. <a href="/parallel/matthew/17-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=4917" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/17.htm">The Boy with a Demon</a> 14When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. 15<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrie (N-VMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">“Lord,</a> <a href="/greek/1653.htm" title="1653: eleēson (V-AMA-2S) -- To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.">have mercy on</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">my</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huion (N-AMS) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">son,”</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">he said.</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">“</a> <a href="/greek/4583.htm" title="4583: selēniazetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To be a lunatic, be moonstruck, epileptic. ">He has seizures</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3958.htm" title="3958: paschei (V-PIA-3S) -- I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer. ">is suffering</a> <a href="/greek/2560.htm" title="2560: kakōs (Adv) -- Badly, evilly, wrongly. From kakos; badly.">terribly.</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/4178.htm" title="4178: pollakis (Adv) -- Many times, often, frequently. Multiplicative adverb from polus; many times, i.e. Frequently."></a> <a href="/greek/4098.htm" title="4098: piptei (V-PIA-3S) -- A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.">He often falls</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4442.htm" title="4442: pyr (N-ANS) -- Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; fire.">fire</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">or</a> <a href="/greek/4178.htm" title="4178: pollakis (Adv) -- Many times, often, frequently. Multiplicative adverb from polus; many times, i.e. Frequently."></a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.">into</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/5204.htm" title="5204: hydōr (N-ANS) -- Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.">water.</a> 16I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/mark/9-17.htm">Mark 9:17-27</a> Someone in the crowd replied, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute. / 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 it out, but they were unable.” / “O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.” ... <a href="/luke/9-38.htm">Luke 9:38-42</a> Suddenly a man in the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only child. / A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him. / I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.” ... <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Matthew 4:24</a> News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and He healed them. <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22</a> And a Canaanite woman from that region came to Him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is miserably possessed by a demon.” <a href="/mark/1-32.htm">Mark 1:32-34</a> That evening, after sunset, people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed, / and the whole town gathered at the door. / And He healed many who were ill with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not allow the demons to speak, because they knew who He was. <a href="/luke/7-21.htm">Luke 7:21</a> At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind. <a href="/john/4-46.htm">John 4:46-54</a> So once again He came to Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. / When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. / Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe.” ... <a href="/acts/10-38.htm">Acts 10:38</a> how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. <a href="/matthew/8-16.htm">Matthew 8:16</a> When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Jesus, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. <a href="/mark/5-1.htm">Mark 5:1-20</a> On the other side of the sea, they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes. / As soon as Jesus got out of the boat, He was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who was coming from the tombs. / This man had been living in the tombs and could no longer be restrained, even with chains. ... <a href="/luke/8-26.htm">Luke 8:26-39</a> Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. / When Jesus stepped ashore, He was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothing or lived in a house, but he stayed in the tombs. / When the man saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before Him, shouting in a loud voice, “What do You want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You not to torture me!” ... <a href="/isaiah/53-4.htm">Isaiah 53:4</a> Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. <a href="/psalms/103-3.htm">Psalm 103:3</a> He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, <a href="/2_kings/5-1.htm">2 Kings 5:1-14</a> Now Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man in his master’s sight and highly regarded, for through him the LORD had given victory to Aram. And he was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. / At this time the Arameans had gone out in bands and had taken a young girl from the land of Israel, and she was serving Naaman’s wife. / She said to her mistress, “If only my master would go to the prophet who is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy.” ... <a href="/1_samuel/16-14.htm">1 Samuel 16:14-23</a> Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. / Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. / Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for often he falls into the fire, and oft into the water.have.<a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22</a> And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.<a href="/mark/5-22.htm">Mark 5:22,23</a> And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, … <a href="/mark/9-22.htm">Mark 9:22</a> And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.for.<a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Matthew 4:24</a> And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.<a href="/mark/9-17.htm">Mark 9:17,18,20-22</a> And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; … he is.for ofttimes.<a href="/matthew/8-31.htm">Matthew 8:31,32</a> So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine… <a href="/job/1-10.htm">Job 1:10-19</a> Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land… <a href="/job/2-7.htm">Job 2:7</a> So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/9-27.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/matthew/14-24.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/matthew/15-27.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/amos/9-9.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/matthew/13-8.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/matthew/13-50.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Frequently</a> <a href="/matthew/15-17.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/17-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Grievously</a> <a href="/matthew/14-11.htm">Head</a> <a href="/matthew/15-30.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/matthew/9-27.htm">Kindly</a> <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Lunatick</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Miserably</a> <a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Oft</a> <a href="/matthew/9-14.htm">Often</a> <a href="/john/18-2.htm">Ofttimes</a> <a href="/john/18-2.htm">Oft-Times</a> <a href="/matthew/13-21.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Seizures</a> <a href="/matthew/17-4.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/matthew/17-6.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/matthew/17-12.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Suffering</a> <a href="/matthew/12-25.htm">Suffers</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Terribly</a> <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Vexed</a> <a href="/matthew/14-29.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/18-35.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/matthew/17-23.htm">Distressed</a> <a href="/matthew/18-6.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/matthew/21-44.htm">Falleth</a> <a href="/matthew/21-44.htm">Falls</a> <a href="/matthew/18-8.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/mark/5-4.htm">Frequently</a> <a href="/matthew/18-12.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/18-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/mark/9-20.htm">Grievously</a> <a href="/matthew/21-42.htm">Head</a> <a href="/matthew/25-36.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/matthew/18-33.htm">Kindly</a> <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Lunatick</a> <a href="/matthew/18-33.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/matthew/21-41.htm">Miserably</a> <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Oft</a> <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Often</a> <a href="/mark/9-22.htm">Ofttimes</a> <a href="/mark/9-22.htm">Oft-Times</a> <a href="/mark/4-17.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/matthew/18-27.htm">Pity</a> <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Seizures</a> <a href="/matthew/18-21.htm">Sir</a> <a href="/matthew/21-15.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/matthew/17-17.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/24-21.htm">Suffering</a> <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Suffers</a> <a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Terribly</a> <a href="/luke/6-18.htm">Vexed</a> <a href="/matthew/27-24.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 17</div>1. <a href="/matthew/17-1.htm">The transfiguration of Jesus.</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/17-14.htm">He heals the boy with a demon,</a> 22. <a href="/matthew/17-22.htm">foretells his own passion,</a> 24. <a href="/matthew/17-24.htm">and pays tribute.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Lord, have mercy on my son, The plea for mercy reflects a deep recognition of Jesus' authority and compassion. In Jewish culture, addressing someone as "Lord" signifies respect and acknowledgment of their power. This mirrors other biblical instances where individuals seek Jesus' healing, such as the Canaanite woman in <a href="/matthew/15-22.htm">Matthew 15:22</a>. The request for mercy is a common biblical theme, emphasizing human dependence on divine grace.he said. The father is the speaker, demonstrating his role as an intercessor for his child. This reflects the biblical principle of parental responsibility and advocacy, as seen in other scriptures where parents seek Jesus' help for their children, like Jairus in <a href="/mark/5-22.htm">Mark 5:22-23</a>.He has seizures and is suffering terribly. The description of seizures indicates a condition that was often misunderstood in ancient times. In the biblical context, such symptoms were sometimes attributed to demonic influence, as seen in other healing narratives. The term "suffering terribly" underscores the severity of the boy's condition, highlighting the urgent need for divine intervention.He often falls into the fire or into the water. This detail illustrates the physical danger and unpredictability of the boy's condition. Fire and water are elements frequently mentioned in scripture, symbolizing purification and chaos, respectively. The mention of these elements may also evoke the trials faced by believers, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/43-2.htm">Isaiah 43:2</a>, where God promises protection through fire and water. The father's concern reflects the constant vigilance required to protect his son from harm.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in the Gospel of Matthew, who is approached by a desperate father seeking healing for his son. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_father.htm">The Father</a> A man who approaches Jesus with a plea for his son, demonstrating faith and desperation. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_son.htm">The Son</a> The boy suffering from seizures, described as an epileptic, who is in need of healing. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples.htm">The Disciples</a> Present during this event, they had previously attempted to heal the boy but were unsuccessful. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_crowd.htm">The Crowd</a> Witnesses to the event, representing the broader public who often followed Jesus to see His miracles.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> The father's approach to Jesus demonstrates active faith. In times of distress, we should bring our concerns directly to Christ, trusting in His power and mercy. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_jesus.htm">The Power of Jesus</a> This passage highlights Jesus' authority over physical and spiritual ailments. Believers can find comfort in knowing that Jesus is sovereign over all aspects of life. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prayer.htm">The Role of Prayer</a> The father's plea is a form of prayer, showing that earnest and humble requests to God are heard and can lead to divine intervention. <a href="/topical/u/understanding_spiritual_warfare.htm">Understanding Spiritual Warfare</a> The boy's condition is linked to spiritual oppression. Christians should be aware of the spiritual dimensions of struggles and seek God's help in overcoming them. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_failure.htm">Learning from Failure</a> The disciples' inability to heal the boy initially teaches us about the importance of faith and reliance on God's power rather than our own abilities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_17.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 17</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_epilepsy.htm">What does the Bible say about epilepsy?</a> <a href="/q/is_jesus_god's_only_form_in_oneness.htm">Is Jesus the sole manifestation of God in Oneness?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_'one_taken'_fit_with_other_end_times.htm">How does the 'one taken, one left' description (Luke 17:34-35) reconcile with other New Testament passages depicting the end times differently?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_mother_of_david.htm">Who was James the Apostle in Christian tradition?</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>(15) Lunatick.--See Note on <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm" title="And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.">Matthew 4:24</a>. The other Gospels add some further touches. The boy had a "dumb spirit." When the spirit seized him it "tore him," and he foamed at the mouth, and gnashed with his teeth. Slowly, and as with difficulty, the paroxysm passed off, and the sufferer was wasting away under the violence of the attacks. The phenomena described are, it need hardly be said, those of epilepsy complicated with insanity, a combination common in all countries, and likely to be aggravated where the "seizure," which the very word epilepsy implies, was the work of a supernatural power. A prolonged melancholy, an indescribable look of sadness, a sudden falling, and loss of consciousness, with or without convulsions, or passing into a tetanic stiffness, a periodical recurrence coinciding often with the new or full moon (hence probably the description of the boy as "lunatick"), grinding the teeth, foaming at the mouth, are all noted by medical writers as symptoms of the disease. The names by which it was known in the earlier stages of medical science were all indicative of the awe with which men looked on it. It was the "divine," the "sacred" disease, as being a direct supernatural infliction. The Latin synonym, morbus comitialis, came from the fact that if a seizure of this kind occurred during the comitia, or assemblies of the Roman Republic, it was looked upon as of such evil omen that the meeting was at once broken up, and all business adjourned. Whether there was in this case something more than disease, viz., a distinct possession by a supernatural force, is a question which belongs to the general subject of the "demoniacs" of the Gospel records. (See Note on 8:28.) Here, at any rate, our Lord's words (<a href="/matthew/17-21.htm" title="However, this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.">Matthew 17:21</a>) assume, even more emphatically than elsewhere, the reality of the possession. (See <a href="/mark/9-25.htm" title="When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, You dumb and deaf spirit, I charge you, come out of him, and enter no more into him.">Mark 9:25</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/17.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 15. - This verse in the Vulgate is contained in ver. 14. Have mercy on my son. According to St. Luke, the father makes his plea more touching by adding that he was his only son - an appeal to which the Saviour's tender heart was always open, as when he stopped the bier at Nain, and said to the childless widow, "Weep not." He is lunatic (σεληνιάξεται). The Revised Version most unnecessarily renders the verb, he is epileptic. Doubtless the case in many respects simulated epilepsy, and might have been so described; but it seems inexpedient to conceal the actual word used, which gave the popular and probably correct view of one phase of the complaint. Surely a real fact well known to medical science underlies the term lunacy, in the catalogue of the diseased persons who were brought to Christ to be healed (<a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Matthew 4:24</a>), we find a class called lunatics, distinct from the paralytic and possessed. It is by no means an exploded fallacy that the moon has some mysterious influence on certain constitutions, and produces an aggravation of symptoms in accordance with some of its changes. It was from observation of this phenomenon that this form of insanity was termed seleniasmus or lunacy. In the present instance the disease was complicated and of no ordinary nature. The other synoptists state that the child was possessed by a demon. This was the fact which differentiated the malady from any merely organic sickness. It was in truth epilepsy accompanied by or occasioned by demoniacal possession. St. Matthew does not mention the possession in his introductory account, but he afterwards (ver. 18) speaks of the demon departing. Sore vexed (κακῶς πάσχει); is in evil case; suffers grievously. He was affected with terrible paroxysms, which are detailed more at length by Mark and Luke. Matthew narrates some of the effects of the mania upon the victim. Ofttimes he falleth into the fire. The fits, coming on suddenly and without warning, brought the sufferer into imminent dangers, perhaps produced suicidal tendencies, which urged him to destroy himself. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/17-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>“Lord, Κύριε (Kyrie) Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. have mercy on ἐλέησόν (eleēson) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1653.htm">Strong's 1653: </a> To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. son,” υἱόν (huion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. he said. λέγων (legōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. “He has seizures σεληνιάζεται (selēniazetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4583.htm">Strong's 4583: </a> To be a lunatic, be moonstruck, epileptic. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. is suffering πάσχει (paschei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3958.htm">Strong's 3958: </a> I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer. terribly. κακῶς (kakōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2560.htm">Strong's 2560: </a> Badly, evilly, wrongly. From kakos; badly. He often falls πίπτει (piptei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4098.htm">Strong's 4098: </a> A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. fire πῦρ (pyr) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4442.htm">Strong's 4442: </a> Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'. [or] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. into εἰς (eis) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1519.htm">Strong's 1519: </a> A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. the τὸ (to) Article - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. water. ὕδωρ (hydōr) Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5204.htm">Strong's 5204: </a> Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/17-15.htm">Matthew 17:15 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/17-15.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 17:15 Lord have mercy on my son (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/17-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 17:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 17:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/17-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 17:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 17:16" /></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>