What is the meaning of Matthew 17:21? However “Jesus said to them… ‘However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’” (Matthew 17:20-21) • “However” links verse 21 to verse 20 where Jesus explains the disciples’ failure: “Because of your little faith.” The transition shows that weak faith is not passive; it must be strengthened through spiritual disciplines. • The exchange follows the Transfiguration (17:1-13) and immediately precedes Jesus’ reminder of His coming death and resurrection (17:22-23), underscoring that victory over evil and the advance of God’s plan move together (cf. Luke 9:37-45). • Cross references: Mark 9:28-29 recounts the same event and includes a similar “prayer” requirement; 1 John 5:4 reminds believers that faith overcomes the world. This Kind • “This kind” refers to a particularly stubborn or powerful demonic spirit (cf. Mark 5:9; Ephesians 6:12). Not every spiritual battle is identical; some require deeper preparation. • Scripture shows varying ranks among fallen angels (Daniel 10:13). Jesus affirms that while all demons are subject to His authority, some resist ordinary approaches and call for intensified reliance on God. • The phrase also implies discernment: believers must recognize the nature of the conflict they face (2 Corinthians 2:11). Does Not Go Out • “Go out” stresses expulsion; the demon’s departure is non-negotiable once confronted in Christ’s name (Luke 4:36; Acts 16:18). • The disciples had already cast out demons earlier (Matthew 10:1), so their present failure highlights that past victories do not guarantee automatic success. Ongoing dependence is essential (John 15:5). • Jesus’ wording shows certainty: there is a way for deliverance, but it demands the right spiritual posture. Except by Prayer and Fasting • Prayer: direct communion with the Father, expressing dependence and aligning the heart with God’s will (Philippians 4:6-7; James 5:16). • Fasting: voluntary abstaining from food (and sometimes other comforts) to intensify focus on God (Ezra 8:23; Acts 13:2-3). • Together they: – Deepen humility (Psalm 35:13) – Heighten spiritual sensitivity (Daniel 9:3) – Strengthen faith through undistracted seeking (Hebrews 11:6) • Jesus Himself practiced both (Matthew 4:1-2; Luke 5:16), modeling the pattern He now prescribes. • The phrase does not create a ritualistic formula but highlights attitudes—perseverance, self-denial, and wholehearted trust—as indispensable for confronting entrenched evil. Summary Matthew 17:21 teaches that certain spiritual challenges yield only when believers move beyond casual faith to earnest, disciplined dependence on God. Jesus identifies prayer and fasting as the God-ordained means to strengthen faith, break demonic resistance, and display His victorious authority. |
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