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"Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
Verse Takeaways
1
Sickness and Spirits
Commentators explain that the boy's condition, described with symptoms of epilepsy or 'lunacy,' was also a case of demonic possession. Scholars note that spiritual evil can work through natural means, reminding us that physical and spiritual realities are not always separate and that both are subject to Christ's healing power.
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Matthew
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8
18th Century
Presbyterian
Lord, have mercy. The word "Lord" here means Sir, a title of civility, not implying Divinity.
My son. This was an…
Epileptic (σεληνιαζετα). Literally, "moonstruck," "lunatic." The symptoms of epilepsy were supposed to be aggravated by the change…
19th Century
Anglican
Lunatick—See the note on Matthew 4:24.
The other Gospels add further details. The boy had a dumb spirit. When the …
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Baptist
Down from communion with saints and the confirmation of His claims by the Father’s voice, our Lord comes to give battle to the devil. Our Moses des…
When Jesus returned to the other nine disciples he is approached by a man with an epileptic son. “Epilepsy” in this instance is associated with dem…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
Lord, have mercy on my son He addressed him with great marks of honour and respect, not only by gesture, but by word…
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The case of afflicted children should be presented to God by faithful and fervent prayer. Christ cured the child. Though the people were perverse, …
13th Century
Catholic
Here, He foretells the tranquility of glory, which is assaulted by diabolical possession and the disturbance of men. He foretells that the first as…
