Matthew 17:14-21

Matthew 17:14-21

[14] And  when they  were come  to  the multitude,  there came  to him  a certain man,  kneeling down  to him,  and  [15] Lord,  have mercy  son:  for  he is lunatick,  and  sore  vexed:  for  ofttimes  he falleth  into  the fire,  and  oft  into  the water.  [16] And  I brought  him  disciples,  and  they could  not  cure  him.  [17] Then  Jesus  answered  and said,  O  faithless  and  perverse  generation,  how long  with  how long  shall I suffer  bring  him  hither  [18] And  Jesus  rebuked  the devil;  and  he  departed  out of  him:  and  the child  was cured  from  that very  hour.  [19] Then  came  the disciples  to Jesus  apart,  and said,  could  not  him  out?  [20] And  unto them,  Because  for  verily  I say  If  ye have  faith  as  a grain  of mustard seed,  ye shall say  mountain,  Remove  to yonder place;  and  it shall remove;  and  nothing  shall be impossible  [21] Howbeit  kind  not  out  by  and  fasting. 

What does Matthew 17:14-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The term "exorcism" means the action of exorcizing or expelling an evil spirit by adjuration or the performance of certain rites. In Jesus" case this involved His authoritatively commanding a demon or demons to depart with no appeal to a higher authority or incantations, which are common in exorcisms that other people perform.
"The contrast between the glory of the Transfiguration and Jesus" disciples" tawdry unbelief (see Matthew 17:17) is part of the mounting tension that magnifies Jesus" uniqueness as he moves closer to his passion and resurrection." [1]
It also recalls Moses" experience of descending Mt. Sinai only to find the Israelites failing by worshipping the golden calf ( Exodus 32:15-20).