Matthew 17 21

Matthew 17:21 kjv

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Matthew 17:21 nkjv

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."

Matthew 17 verses

Matthew 17 21 Meaning

Matthew 17:21 declares that certain types of particularly strong or resistant spiritual entities (often interpreted as demons) cannot be cast out by ordinary means but require exceptional spiritual commitment expressed through fervent prayer and diligent fasting. It underscores that human power and even basic faith are insufficient against the most entrenched spiritual strongholds, necessitating a deeper dependence on God's divine power accessed through these disciplines.

Matthew 17 21 Context

Matthew 17:21 immediately follows the account of the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed His divine glory to Peter, James, and John. Descending from the mountain, Jesus encounters a desperate father whose demon-possessed son has convulsed and thrown himself into fire and water. The father explains that Jesus's disciples were unable to cast out the demon. Jesus rebukes the "faithless and twisted generation" and effortlessly heals the boy. Subsequently, the disciples privately ask Jesus why they failed, and He responds in verse 20 by pointing to their "little faith," stating that even small faith can move mountains. Verse 21 then provides an additional, more specific clarification regarding certain persistent spiritual forces. The broader context of Matthew emphasizes Jesus's authority, the demands of discipleship, and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven, often highlighting the contrast between the power available through Christ and the limitations of human effort without deep spiritual connection. Historically, both Jews and Greeks in the 1st century AD engaged in various forms of exorcism. Jesus's methods, however, demonstrated unparalleled divine authority over demonic powers, often highlighting that these spiritual battles are ultimately won through divine power, not human rituals or strength.

Matthew 17 21 Word analysis

• However (Τοῦτο δὲ - Touto de / δέ - de): The Greek conjunction de often functions as a slight transition or emphasis, sometimes rendered "but" or "and." Here, it introduces an important qualification or further explanation to the preceding statement (v.20 about faith). It implies "And furthermore," or "Now concerning this..."
• this kind (τοῦτο τὸ γένος - touto to genos):
  • τοῦτο (touto): "This." Refers to the specific "kind" of demonic activity or spirit they just encountered.
  • τὸ γένος (to genos): "The kind," "the type," "the race," "the class." It suggests a distinct category or classification of demonic spirits, implying that not all demonic possessions are equally stubborn or resistant. This indicates a hierarchy or varying degrees of difficulty in confronting different evil spirits, or simply, some require more intense spiritual resistance from the one conducting the exorcism.
• does not go out (οὐκ ἐκπορεύεται - ouk ekporeuetai):
  • οὐκ (ouk): "Not." A strong negation.
  • ἐκπορεύεται (ekporeuetai): From ekporeuomai, meaning "to go out," "to depart," "to proceed." In this context, it is a technical term for casting out or exorcism, referring to the demon's expulsion from the possessed person. The passive voice implies "is not expelled" or "is not driven out." The statement asserts an impossibility for "this kind" of demon without specific intervention.
• except (εἰ μὴ - ei me): A conditional particle meaning "unless," "if not," or "except by." It sets up a strong exception, indicating that the preceding impossibility can only be overcome through what follows.
• by prayer (ἐν προσευχῇ - en proseuchē):
  • ἐν (en): "In" or "by." Indicates the means or instrument.
  • προσευχῇ (proseuchē): "Prayer." This refers to a direct, reverent address to God, involving supplication, worship, and communion. It implies active reliance on divine power and submission to God's will. For effective spiritual warfare, prayer is indispensable, as it accesses the supernatural power of God rather than relying on human strength or technique.
• and fasting (καὶ νηστείᾳ - kai nēsteia):
  • καὶ (kai): "And." Conjunction joining the two disciplines.
  • νηστείᾳ (nēsteia): "Fasting." This refers to voluntary abstinence from food (and sometimes water) for spiritual purposes. It is a discipline historically practiced to express intense earnestness, repentance, humiliation, dependence on God, or to sharpen spiritual focus and hearing. Fasting in this context serves to amplify prayer, demonstrate utter reliance on God, and deepen spiritual sensitivity to engage in profound spiritual battles. While this specific phrase "and fasting" is disputed in some ancient manuscripts of Matthew 17:21 (often found in the parallel Mark 9:29), its theological meaning aligns with biblical principles of seeking God.

Words-group analysis

• "this kind does not go out": This phrase underlines the significant difficulty or particular resistance of certain demonic entities. It suggests that they are not easily dislodged and pose a greater challenge than lesser spiritual influences. This sets up the need for extraordinary spiritual means.
• "except by prayer and fasting": This core phrase presents the solution or the necessary conditions for success against these formidable spiritual powers. It highlights that the triumph is not due to human willpower, intellect, or a mere formula, but through a deeper spiritual discipline and dependence on God. Prayer accesses God's power and authority, while fasting demonstrates extreme sincerity, sacrifice, and intensified devotion, signaling profound earnestness in seeking God's intervention. Together, they represent a complete turning to God beyond normal spiritual exercises, expressing a recognition that this battle is entirely God's, and only He can prevail.

Matthew 17 21 Bonus section

The primary point to emphasize regarding Matthew 17:21 is its textual status. It is absent from some of the earliest and most authoritative Greek manuscripts of the New Testament, such as Codex Sinaiticus (א) and Codex Vaticanus (B). Its inclusion in later manuscripts, particularly those forming the basis of the Textus Receptus (whence KJV, NKJV are translated), is thought to be a harmonistic interpolation, where scribes likely added it from the parallel passage in Mark 9:29 (where the "and fasting" clause itself is also variant but generally more widely attested). Modern critical translations (e.g., ESV, NIV, NASB) often omit the verse entirely or include it in a footnote.

Despite its questionable textual authenticity in Matthew, the principle conveyed by the verse remains biblically sound and widely accepted among Christians: some spiritual breakthroughs, particularly against stubborn demonic oppression or deep-seated spiritual problems, indeed require heightened spiritual intensity involving concentrated prayer and sacrificial fasting. It underscores the concept that a deeper surrender and earnestness in seeking God are often proportionate to the magnitude of the spiritual obstacle being faced. Therefore, even as a probable scribal addition, it accurately reflects an early Christian understanding of potent spiritual warfare strategies.

Matthew 17 21 Commentary

Matthew 17:21, though a disputed text in some modern Bibles due to its absence in certain ancient manuscripts (likely added by scribes from the parallel in Mark 9:29), encapsulates a profound biblical truth about spiritual warfare: not all spiritual battles are fought on the same level. While basic faith is powerful, certain entrenched demonic strongholds, or highly resistant spiritual obstacles, demand a deeper level of spiritual consecration. Prayer is the means by which believers draw upon God's infinite power and authority. Fasting, the voluntary self-denial of physical sustenance for a spiritual purpose, intensifies prayer, demonstrates sincere humility, sharpens spiritual focus, and signifies complete reliance on God's strength rather than one's own. It cultivates a dependence on the Holy Spirit necessary for confronting the most formidable spiritual adversaries. This verse, therefore, emphasizes that overcoming particularly stubborn spiritual resistance, whether in oneself (e.g., deeply rooted sin patterns) or in ministering to others, requires extraordinary spiritual discipline and a posture of complete and earnest dependence on God alone.