Devine Scripture

Matthew 17:15

What does Matthew 17:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 17:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 17:15 means

The man pleads with Jesus to have mercy on his son, explaining that the boy suffers grievously from epilepsy, often falling dangerously into fire or water. The father's heart-wrenching description conveys the profound torment and danger his son endures, underscoring the severity of the affliction and his own helplessness. His appeal to Jesus' mercy reveals his hope that Jesus possesses both the compassion and power to deliver his son.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Lord have mercy on my son: for he is off his head, and is in great pain; and frequently he goes falling into the fire, and frequently into the water.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic, and suffers sorely; for often he falls into the fire and often into the water.

Context

This verse elaborates on the desperate father's plea, providing the painful details of his son's condition that prompted his fervent request in verse 14. This vivid description establishes the grave nature of the problem, setting the stage for Jesus' subsequent miraculous intervention after the disciples' failed attempt.

v.14And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, and saying,

v.15This passage

v.16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 8:31

    And the demons besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine.

  • Job 1:10

    Hast not thou made a 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.

  • Matthew 4:24

    And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with demons, and epileptic, and palsied; and he healed them.

  • Mark 5:4

    because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been rent asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: and no man had strength to tame him.

  • Mark 9:17

    And one of the multitude answered him, Teacher, I brought unto thee my son, who hath a dumb spirit;

  • John 4:46

    He came therefore again unto Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

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