Matthew 17:21

Matthew 17:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
• New King James Version (NKJV)However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Context of Matthew 17:21

19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why could we not drive it out?” 20He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. [But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]” 22When they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed and handed over to men [who are His enemies]; 23and they will kill Him, and He will be raised [from death to life] on the third day.” And they were deeply grieved and distressed.

Matthew 17:21 word by word

Words taken from the KJV.

• Howbeitδέde · thenG1161
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• kindὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• kindγένοςgenos · family: descendantG1085
• goethἐκπορεύωekporeuomai · to departG1607
• notοὐou · noG3756
• ·εἰei · ifG1487
• butμήmē · notG3361
• byἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• prayerπροσευχήproseuchē · prayerG4335
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• fastingνηστείαnēsteia · fastingG3521

Cross-references for Matthew 17:21

• Matthew 12:45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So will it also be with this wicked generation.”
• 1 Kings 17:20He called to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You brought further tragedy to the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?”
• Daniel 9:3So I directed my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.
• Mark 9:29He replied to them, “This kind [of unclean spirit] cannot come out by anything but prayer [to the Father].”
• Acts 13:2While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul (Paul) for the work to which I have called them.”
• Acts 14:23When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they entrusted them to the Lord in whom they believed [and joyfully accepted as the Messiah].
• 1 Corinthians 7:5Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer, but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control.
• 2 Corinthians 11:27in labor and hardship, often unable to sleep, in hunger and thirst, often [driven to] fasting [for lack of food], in cold and exposure [without adequate clothing].
• Ephesians 6:18With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

Commentaries on Matthew 17:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21This kind goeth not out but by prayer, etc. - , this kind, some apply to the faith which should be exercised on the occasion, which goeth not out, doth not exert itself, but by prayer and fasting; but this interpretation is, in my opinion, far from solid. However, there is great difficulty in the text. The whole verse is wanting in the famous Vatican MS., one of the most ancient and most authentic perhaps in the world; and in another one of Colbert's…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Howbeit, this kind … - This kind means this kind of devils - this species of possession. Where they have had long possession where they produce such painful, fixed, and alarming effects, they can be expelled only in connection with prayer and fasting. Goeth not out but by prayer and fasting - That is, in order to work miracles of this kind to cast out devils in cases so obstinate and dreadful as this, faith of the highest kind is necessary. That faith is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-21Verses 14-21 The case of afflicted children should be presented to God by faithful and fervent prayer. Christ cured the child. Though the people were perverse, and Christ was provoked, yet care was taken of the child. When all other helps and succours fail, we are welcome to Christ, may trust in him, and in his power and goodness. See here an emblem of Christ's undertaking as our Redeemer. It encourages parents to bring children to Christ, whose souls are…Read the comment

Topics related to Matthew 17:21

• Doubting
• Faith
• Fasting
• Jesus, the Christ
• Miracles

In the dictionaries

• Betray
• Cure
• Tabernacle
• Talking
• Abstinence
• How
• Intercession
• John, the Apostle
• Mark, the Gospel According to
• Papyrus

Commentaries on Matthew 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Catena Aurea
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• John Lightfoot Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• The Fourfold Gospel and Commentary on Acts
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings