The Healing of a Boy with an Evil Spirit
14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and
the teachers of the law arguing with them.
15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed
with wonder and ran to greet him.
16"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.
17 A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed
by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18Whenever 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 out the spirit, but they could not."
19 "O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you?
How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."
20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy
into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the
mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"
"From childhood," he answered.
22 "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can
do anything, take pity on us and help us."
23 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who
believes."
24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my
unbelief!"
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil[a]
spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and
never enter him again."
26The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so
much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." 27But Jesus took him by the hand
and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why
couldn't we drive it out?"
29 He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer.