Matthew 17:20

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 17:20

As a grain of mustard-seed - See the notes at Matthew 13:31-32. The mustard-seed was the smallest of all seeds. It has been supposed by some, therefore, that he meant to say, If you have the smallest or feeblest faith that is genuine, you can do all things. The mustard-seed produced the largest of all herbs. It has been supposed by others, therefore, to mean, If you have increasing, expanding, enlarged faith, growing and strengthening from small beginnings, you can perform the most difficult... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 17:19-20

Matthew 17:19-20. Then came the disciples to Jesus Namely, the nine disciples, who had been left with the multitude, when Jesus and the three others went up to the mount. They were silent before the multitude, ashamed, it seems, that they could not cast out this evil spirit, and, perhaps, vexed lest through some fault of their own they had lost the power of working miracles, formerly conferred upon them. But when they came with Jesus to their lodging, they asked the reason why they could... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 17:14-21

76. Healing of an uncontrollable boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)While the faith of the three apostles on the mountain was being strengthened, the faith of the other nine on the plain below was failing. They were unable to cure a boy who suffered from sudden fits that made him uncontrollable (Mark 9:14-18). After the heavenly experiences on the mountain, Jesus felt the frustration of work in a world that was full of human failure (Mark 9:19). Nevertheless, he did not despise... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 17:20

Because = On account of. Greek. dia. See note on Luke 17:6 . unbelief. All the texts read "little faith", or "littleness of faith". See note on Mat 6:38 . verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 . If, &c. Denoting a contingent condition. App-118 . say. The Rabbins were termed rooters up of mountains, because they were dexterous in removing difficulties. See note on Luke 17:6 . to yonder place = thither (as though pointing). See note on Luke 17:6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 17:20

And he said unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.The reasons for the apostles' failure were (1) their lack of faith, (2) the double difficulty of the case at hand, and (3) their failure to exercise the privilege of prayer and fasting. At this place in Matthew, some very ancient authorities include... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 17:20

Matthew 17:20. Because of your unbelief— When the disciples were come with our Lord, they askedhim the reason why they could not cast out that particular demon; to which he replies, because of your unbelief.—"Knowing that you doubted whether I could enable you to cast out this demon, I ordered it so, that he would not go out at your command, for a reproach of the weakness of your faith." We may observe that the disciples had attempted to cast him out. To encourage them, our Lord describes to... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-21

The exorcism of an epileptic boy 17:14-21 (cf. Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43 a)The term "exorcism" means the action of exorcizing or expelling an evil spirit by adjuration or the performance of certain rites. In Jesus’ case this involved His authoritatively commanding a demon or demons to depart with no appeal to a higher authority or incantations, which are common in exorcisms that other people perform."The contrast between the glory of the Transfiguration and Jesus’ disciples’ tawdry unbelief... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:14-27

3. Instruction about the King’s principles 17:14-27Jesus’ instruction of His disciples in view of the King’s coming death and resurrection and the kingdom’s postponement continued. Jesus had taught them about His person (Matthew 16:13-17) and His program (Matthew 16:18 to Matthew 17:13). He now taught them principles that clarified His work and His person further. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Matthew 17:19-21

The "we" in the disciples’ question is in the emphatic position in the Greek text. The problem, as Jesus explained, was their weak faith (Gr. oligopistia). It was not the quantity of their faith that was deficient but its quality. In spite of the revelation of Jesus that they had received, the disciples had not responded to it with trust as they should have done. They had some faith in Jesus, but it should have been stronger."Much earlier, Jesus had endowed the disciples with authority to... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Matthew 17:20

17:20 transported (e-33) See ch. 12.9. read more

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