Jesus heals a boy possessed by an impure 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. ¹⁸ Whenever 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 ‘You 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 one 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 impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,’ he said, ‘I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’

²⁶ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, ‘He’s dead.’ ²⁷ But 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.’