Demons: Disciples Could not Expel
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the New Testament, there is a significant account where the disciples of Jesus were unable to expel a demon, highlighting both the reality of spiritual warfare and the necessity of faith and prayer in overcoming demonic forces. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, and Luke 9:37-43.

Biblical Account

The incident occurs shortly after the Transfiguration of Jesus. As Jesus, Peter, James, and John descend from the mountain, they encounter a large crowd, including a distressed father whose son is possessed by a demon. The father explains that the demon causes the boy to have seizures, fall into fire and water, and suffer greatly. He had brought his son to Jesus' disciples, but they were unable to cast out the demon.

In the Gospel of Mark, the father pleads with Jesus, saying, "If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us" (Mark 9:22). Jesus responds, "If You can? All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23). The father immediately cries out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24). Jesus then rebukes the unclean spirit, commanding it to leave the boy and never return. The demon departs, and the boy is healed.

Disciples' Inability and Jesus' Response

After the event, the disciples privately ask Jesus why they could not drive out the demon. Jesus' response is instructive: "Because you have so little faith," He tells them in Matthew 17:20 . He further explains, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:20). In Mark's account, Jesus adds, "This kind can come out only by prayer" (Mark 9:29), with some manuscripts including "and fasting."

Theological Implications

This narrative underscores several key theological points. First, it affirms the existence and malevolence of demonic forces, which can cause significant physical and spiritual harm. Second, it highlights the authority of Jesus over demons, demonstrating His divine power and compassion. Third, it emphasizes the importance of faith and reliance on God in spiritual battles. The disciples' failure is attributed to a lack of faith and prayer, suggesting that spiritual authority is not automatic but requires a deep, trusting relationship with God.

Practical Lessons

For believers, this account serves as a reminder of the necessity of faith and prayer in confronting spiritual challenges. It encourages Christians to cultivate a life of prayer and dependence on God, recognizing that spiritual victories are achieved not through human strength but through divine power. The call to faith as small as a mustard seed invites believers to trust in God's ability to work through them, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

In summary, the episode of the disciples' inability to expel a demon teaches profound lessons about faith, prayer, and the authority of Jesus, offering guidance for believers in their spiritual journey.
Nave's Topical Index
Mark 9:18,28,29
And wherever he takes him, he tears him: and he foams, and gnashes with his teeth, and pines away: and I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Casting Out of Devils.
... is a marvel altogether as great as to expel the intruding ... The disciples, although
they had already the power to cast out demons, could not cast this one ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vii the casting out of.htm

Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... a Why could not we cast ... Because of your little faith [The failure of the disciples
was not ... Demons, like spirits in the flesh, have different degrees of will ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxx third withdrawal from herods 5.htm

Jesus, Accordingly, in Turning Away the Minds of his Disciples...
... miracles in the name of Jesus, and expel demons out of ... whereas the works of Christ
and His disciples had for ... the number of a man's offences, could proceed from ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xlix jesus accordingly in.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thadd??us,
... and desired to see Christ, and could not leave his ... age; and He gave us power to expel
demons, and heal ... having gone forth along with his disciples, laid his ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thaddaeus/acts of the holy apostle.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... synagogue, the Apostle withdrew with the disciples to the ... ascertain the names of
the particular demons, whose aid ... Of this there could remain no doubt, since a ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

2 Timothy iv. 13-Sep
... which was profitable both for him and his disciples. ... without her not even political
affairs could be properly ... be formidable not to men, but to demons, and even ...
/.../homily x 2 timothy iv.htm

But after This, Celsus, Having a Suspicion that the Great Works ...
... of their most venerated arts, and will expel demons from men ... virtuous life, in order
that His disciples might devote ... were the life of Jesus, how could any one ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxviii but after this.htm

Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
... up his heel against me." "All the disciples forsook him and ... undertook to save shouldest
perish, then the demons of the ... I would give my right hand if it could! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/never never never never never.htm

After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside the Church had Been ...
... by barbarians, but over the Church even demons do not ... to thee the fall of the disciples:
they fell ... For they could not endure the excessive brightness of that ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii after eutropius having.htm

Preface to the Benedictine Edition.
... circumstance that they were infuriated by demons when they ... then proves that the world
could not possibly subsist ... of Antioch was, that the disciples of Christ ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/preface to the benedictine edition.htm

Resources
What are doctrines of demons in 1 Timothy 4:1? | GotQuestions.org

Are demons fallen angels? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Angels & Demons (All) | GotQuestions.org

Demons: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Demons

Demons: Adversaries of Men

Demons: Believe and Tremble

Demons: Cast out by Jesus

Demons: Cast out by Paul

Demons: Cast out by Peter

Demons: Cast out by Philip

Demons: Cast out by the Disciples

Demons: Disciples Could not Expel

Demons: Jesus Falsely Accused of Being Possessed of

Demons: Mary Magdalene

Demons: Messages Given False Prophets By

Demons: Parable of the Man Repossessed by Unclean Spirits

Demons: Possession by Saul

Demons: Power Over, Given the Disciples

Demons: Punishment of

Demons: Sceva's Sons Exorcise

Demons: Sent to Foment Trouble Between Abimelech and the Shechemites

Demons: Testify to the Divinity of Jesus

Demons: The Daughter of the Syrophoenician Woman

Demons: The Deaf and Blind Man

Demons: The Deaf Man

Demons: The Epileptic Boy

Demons: The Herd of Swine

Demons: The Man in the Synagogue

Demons: To be Judged at the General Judgment

Demons: Two Men of the Gergesenes (Gadarenes, Gerasenes)

Demons: Worship of

Demons: Worship of, Forbidden

Related Terms

Possessed (100 Occurrences)

Be-el'zebul (7 Occurrences)

Beelzebul (7 Occurrences)

Beelzeboul (7 Occurrences)

Drive (132 Occurrences)

Exorcism

Expel (29 Occurrences)

Baal-zebul (6 Occurrences)

Casts (21 Occurrences)

Exorcist (1 Occurrence)

Expels (3 Occurrences)

Casting (54 Occurrences)

Driving (144 Occurrences)

Pigs (18 Occurrences)

Demonology

Demoniac (7 Occurrences)

Cured (62 Occurrences)

Demon (26 Occurrences)

Various (52 Occurrences)

Expelled (16 Occurrences)

Drives (17 Occurrences)

Devils (48 Occurrences)

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

Begged (71 Occurrences)

Allow (86 Occurrences)

With (66342 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Prince (160 Occurrences)

Forbad (11 Occurrences)

Drove (89 Occurrences)

Permit (36 Occurrences)

Clothed (153 Occurrences)

Cure (28 Occurrences)

Sicknesses (15 Occurrences)

Satyr

Didn't (734 Occurrences)

Suffering (104 Occurrences)

Forth (1639 Occurrences)

Communion (8 Occurrences)

Cast (640 Occurrences)

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)

Making (644 Occurrences)

Speak (855 Occurrences)

Saying (2162 Occurrences)

Calling (145 Occurrences)

Stop (108 Occurrences)

Joint-partakers (2 Occurrences)

Legion (3 Occurrences)

Infirm (25 Occurrences)

Imply (3 Occurrences)

Forbade (3 Occurrences)

Fierce (92 Occurrences)

Frightened (38 Occurrences)

Tried (96 Occurrences)

Tombs (27 Occurrences)

Related (45 Occurrences)

Reported (104 Occurrences)

Except (236 Occurrences)

Evident (26 Occurrences)

Evening (163 Occurrences)

Dressed (77 Occurrences)

Demonic (2 Occurrences)

Manifold (23 Occurrences)

Magdalene (12 Occurrences)

Maintained (19 Occurrences)

Met (118 Occurrences)

Magdala (13 Occurrences)

Perform (155 Occurrences)

Partake (19 Occurrences)

Permitting (2 Occurrences)

Pagans (7 Occurrences)

Prevent (32 Occurrences)

Paying (17 Occurrences)

Beelzebub (7 Occurrences)

Cures (3 Occurrences)

Adjuration (2 Occurrences)

Abyss (11 Occurrences)

Allowing (5 Occurrences)

Accompany (19 Occurrences)

Demons: Cast out by the Disciples
Top of Page
Top of Page