Matthew 17:16

I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The father of a boy with severe seizures speaks to Jesus, reporting that he previously delivered his son to the disciples for healing but they failed to cure him. This statement occurs before Jesus addresses the surrounding crowd with a rebuke.

The words — προσήνεγκα (prosēnegka) translates to "I brought," and οὐκ (ouk) translates to "not." The father literally reports that he brought the boy to the disciples and that they were not able to heal him.

The thread — The father's report matches the parallel account in Luke 9:40, while Matthew 17:19 records the disciples later asking Jesus privately why they failed. Acts 19:15 contrasts this failure with a demon acknowledging Jesus and Paul but rejecting human authority.

Why it lands — The text establishes that healing power resides in Jesus rather than in human agents. It requires the reader to rely on Christ's authority and command instead of personal ability when confronting spiritual opposition.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiAnd προσήνεγκαprosēnegkaI brought αὐτὸνautonhim τοῖςtoisto the μαθηταῖςmathētaisdisciples σου,souof You,καὶkaiand οὐκouknot ἠδυνήθησανēdunēthēsanthey were able αὐτὸνautonhim θεραπεῦσαι.¶therapeusaito heal.

King James Version

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Cross-references

Matthew 17:19 Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
Luke 9:40 I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”
Acts 19:15 But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
2 Kings 4:29 So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.”
Acts 3:16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.