Matthew 17:15
New International Version
“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

New Living Translation
“Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
“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.

Berean Literal Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
“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.

New American Standard Bible
“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.

NASB 1995
“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.

NASB 1977
“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.

Legacy Standard Bible
“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.

Amplified Bible
“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.

Christian Standard Bible
“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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
and said, "Lord, have pity on my son! He has a bad case of epilepsy and often falls into a fire or into water.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
and said, "Sir, have mercy on my son. He suffers from seizures. Often he falls into fire or water.

Good News Translation
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.

International Standard Version
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.

Majority Standard Bible
“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.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
"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.

World English Bible
“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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
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,

Berean Literal Bible
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.

Young's Literal Translation
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,

Smith's Literal Translation
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.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“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.

New American Bible
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.

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
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.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
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.

Godbey New Testament
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.

Haweis New Testament
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.

Mace New Testament
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.

Weymouth New Testament
"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.

Worrell New Testament
"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.

Worsley New Testament
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.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Boy with a Demon
14When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. 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. 16I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”…

Cross References
Mark 9:17-27
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.” ...

Luke 9:38-42
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.” ...

Matthew 4:24
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.

Matthew 15:22
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.”

Mark 1:32-34
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.

Luke 7:21
At that very hour Jesus healed many people of their diseases, afflictions, and evil spirits, and He gave sight to many who were blind.

John 4:46-54
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.” ...

Acts 10:38
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.

Matthew 8:16
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.

Mark 5:1-20
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. ...

Luke 8:26-39
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!” ...

Isaiah 53:4
Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.

Psalm 103:3
He who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases,

2 Kings 5:1-14
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.” ...

1 Samuel 16:14-23
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.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

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.

Matthew 15:22
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.

Mark 5:22,23
And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, …

Mark 9:22
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.

Matthew 4:24
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.

Mark 9:17,18,20-22
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.

Matthew 8:31,32
So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine…

Job 1:10-19
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…

Job 2:7
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.

Jump to Previous
Deal Distressed Fall Falleth Falls Fire Frequently Goes Great Grievously Head Ill Kindly Lunatick Mercy Miserably Oft Often Ofttimes Oft-Times Pain Pity Seizures Sir Sore Suffer Suffering Suffers Terribly Vexed Water
Jump to Next
Deal Distressed Fall Falleth Falls Fire Frequently Goes Great Grievously Head Ill Kindly Lunatick Mercy Miserably Oft Often Ofttimes Oft-Times Pain Pity Seizures Sir Sore Suffer Suffering Suffers Terribly Vexed Water
Matthew 17
1. The transfiguration of Jesus.
14. He heals the boy with a demon,
22. foretells his own passion,
24. and pays tribute.














Lord
The Greek word used here is "Κύριε" (Kyrie), a term of respect and recognition of authority. In the context of the New Testament, it often signifies acknowledgment of Jesus' divine authority and power. The father’s use of "Lord" indicates his faith in Jesus' ability to heal and his recognition of Jesus as more than just a teacher or prophet. This reflects the early Christian understanding of Jesus as the divine Son of God, worthy of worship and capable of miraculous intervention.

have mercy
The Greek phrase "ἐλέησον" (eleēson) is a plea for compassion and help. It is a common biblical expression of dependence on God's grace and kindness. In the Jewish tradition, mercy is a central attribute of God, and the father’s request underscores his belief in Jesus' compassionate nature. This plea is a model for Christian prayer, emphasizing humility and trust in God's benevolent will.

on my son
The personal nature of this request highlights the father's deep concern and love for his child. In the biblical context, children were seen as blessings from God, and their well-being was of utmost importance. The father's appeal is not just for physical healing but also for the restoration of his son's dignity and place within the community. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's care for families and the vulnerable.

He has seizures
The Greek term "σεληνιάζεται" (selēniazetai) is often translated as "moonstruck" or "lunatic," reflecting ancient beliefs about the influence of the moon on mental and physical health. This condition is understood today as epilepsy. The use of this term indicates the severity and uncontrollable nature of the boy's affliction, which was beyond human remedy and required divine intervention. It underscores the biblical theme of Jesus' power over all forms of illness and disorder.

and is suffering terribly
The phrase conveys the intensity of the boy's condition and the urgency of the father's plea. The Greek word "κακῶς" (kakōs) suggests severe distress and hardship. This suffering is not just physical but also emotional and social, as the boy's condition would have isolated him from normal community life. The father's description of his son's suffering highlights the compassionate nature of Jesus' ministry, which seeks to alleviate human pain and restore wholeness.

He often falls into the fire or into the water
This vivid imagery illustrates the dangerous and life-threatening nature of the boy's seizures. Fire and water were common elements in daily life, used for cooking and cleaning, and the boy's vulnerability to these elements underscores the constant threat to his safety. This detail emphasizes the desperate situation and the father's urgent need for Jesus' intervention. It also reflects the biblical theme of Jesus as a protector and savior, who rescues people from peril and restores them to safety and peace.

(15) Lunatick.--See Note on Matthew 4:24. 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 (Matthew 17:21) assume, even more emphatically than elsewhere, the reality of the possession. (See Mark 9:25.)

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 (Matthew 4:24), 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.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
“Lord,
Κύριε (Kyrie)
Noun - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: 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
Strong's 1653: To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.

my
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

son,”
υἱόν (huion)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: 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
Strong's 3004: (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
Strong's 4583: To be a lunatic, be moonstruck, epileptic.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

is suffering
πάσχει (paschei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3958: I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad; I experience ill treatment, suffer.

terribly.
κακῶς (kakōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2560: Badly, evilly, wrongly. From kakos; badly.

He often falls
πίπτει (piptei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4098: A reduplicated and contracted form of peto; probably akin to petomai through the idea of alighting; to fall.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 4442: Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.

[or]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: 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
Strong's 5204: Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.


Links
Matthew 17:15 NIV
Matthew 17:15 NLT
Matthew 17:15 ESV
Matthew 17:15 NASB
Matthew 17:15 KJV

Matthew 17:15 BibleApps.com
Matthew 17:15 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 17:15 Chinese Bible
Matthew 17:15 French Bible
Matthew 17:15 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 17:15 Lord have mercy on my son (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 17:14
Top of Page
Top of Page