Matthew 17:20

"Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”"

Key Reflection

This encounter highlights the disciples' growing but still limited understanding and faith. Their struggle in casting out the demon underscores the need for increased faith, as Jesus later explains that even a small amount of faith can achieve great things.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 20. As a grain of mustard seed. See Barnes "Mt 13:31,32". The mustard seed was the smallest of all Seeds. It has been supposed by some, therefore, that he meant to say, if ye have the smallest or feeblest faith that is genuine, ye can do all things. The mustard seed produced the largest of all herbs. It has been supposed by others, therefore, to mean, If you have increasing, expanding, enlarged faith, growing and strengthening from small beginnings, you can perform the most difficult undertaking. There is a principle of vitality in the grain of seed, stretching forward to great results, which illustrates the nature of faith. Your faith should be like that.

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