Luke 9:37-50
A Boy the Disciples Could Not Heal
Read the passage
37The next day, when they came down from the mountain, Jesus was met by a large crowd.
38Suddenly a man in the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only child.
39A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him.
40I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”
41“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
42Even while the boy was approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
43And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples,
44“Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”
45But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
46Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.
47But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him.
48And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”
49“Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
50“Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The next day, as Jesus and the three come down from the mountain, a great crowd meets Him. A man cries out for Jesus to look at his only son, because a spirit seizes the boy, makes him cry out, convulses him, and leaves him shattered.
The father begged Jesus' disciples to cast out the spirit, but they could not. Jesus responds to the unbelieving generation, then tells the father to bring his son. As the boy approaches, the demon throws him down and convulses him.
Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, heals the child, and gives him back to his father. Everyone is astonished at the majesty of God. While they marvel, Jesus tells His disciples to listen carefully: the Son of Man will be delivered into human hands.
The disciples do not understand this saying, and it is hidden from them. Then they argue about which of them is greatest. Jesus places a child beside Him and says whoever receives the child in his name receives him and the One who sent him. The least among them is the one who is great.
John then reports that they tried to stop someone driving out demons in Jesus' name because he was not traveling with their group. Jesus tells them not to stop him. The disciples who could not help the boy need Jesus' power, yet they are arguing over rank and trying to limit another person's service. Their place beside Jesus calls for humility, welcome, and gratitude when his work helps someone.
Questions
1 What has happened to the boy?
AnswerA spirit seizes him, makes him cry out and convulse, and leaves him shattered. The father says Jesus' disciples were unable to cast it out.
2 What does Jesus do for the child?
AnswerHe rebukes the unclean spirit, heals the child, and gives him back to his father.
3 What do the disciples fail to understand?
AnswerThey do not understand Jesus' announcement that He will be delivered into human hands, even after seeing His power and majesty.
4 How does Jesus redefine greatness?
AnswerHe places a child beside Him and says the one who is least among them is the great one. Receiving the vulnerable becomes a sign of receiving Him.
What This Means for Us
The father's desperation and the disciples' failure both come into Jesus' presence. Families can ask for help without shame and seek qualified care rather than treating suffering as a test of someone's faith.
The disciples' argument exposes how quickly religious activity can become a competition for importance. Jesus directs attention toward a child, a person with little status, and makes welcome a measure of greatness.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, have mercy on children and families facing suffering they cannot control. Give us humility when our efforts fail, wisdom to seek help, and a household that welcomes people with little status. Amen.