Matthew Chapter 17 verse 16 Holy Bible
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
read chapter 17 in ASV
And I took him to your disciples, and they were not able to make him well.
read chapter 17 in BBE
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they were not able to heal him.
read chapter 17 in DARBY
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
read chapter 17 in KJV
read chapter 17 in WBT
So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him."
read chapter 17 in WEB
and I brought him near to thy disciples, and they were not able to heal him.'
read chapter 17 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 16. - I brought him to thy disciples. He had come with the multitude, hoping to find Jesus, and, being disappointed, he had applied to the nine to relieve his misery. When the apostles were sent forth with commission to heal the sick, they returned with joy to report the success of their tour: they cast forth many devils; they noted with glad surprise that the very demons were subject to them in the Name of Jesus (Matthew 10:1; Luke 10:17). It was different now. They could not cure him. What means they used we know not; at any rate, they were ineffectual. The writers who record the failure must be allowed to be truthful and honest. There had been much to depress these disciples. Their Master was absent, gone they knew not whither; how long he would be away they could not tell; the boldest and most trusted of their company were no longer present to cheer them with sympathy, to repel attacks, to stand forth as champions. The scribes' uncompromising disbelief (Mark 9:16) had for the moment obscured their own perfect trust; the atmosphere of infidelity had affected their own breathing; the memory of Christ's words concerning his Passion and death recurred again with dispiriting effect, infusing doubt and disquiet; they bad for the time lost the ardour and confidence which had animated them in their first mission; retaining belief in Christ's claims, they felt a hesitation concerning their own ability; and the conscious weakness in their exorcism nullified its power, and they could do no mighty work.
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) They could not cure him.--This, then, would seem to have been the subject-matter of debate. The scribes were taunting the disciples, who had probably trusted to their use of the wonted formula of their Master's name, and were now wrangling in their own defence. Neither scribes nor disciples had thought of gaining the spiritual power which might avail by the means which they both recognised as effective.
