Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 17:19

"Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?" — Matthew 17:19 (ASV)

This was a very proper question. When we make a failure, let us own that we have failed, take the blame for it ourselves, and appeal to our Lord for His gracious intervention. When we are beaten, let it be said of us, Then came the disciples to Jesus. Let us make a private, personal matter of it, They came to Jesus apart. Let us sit humbly at our Lord’s feet to receive rebuke or instruction as He sees fit.