Why couldn’t the disciples drive out this spirit? (Luke 9:40)
40 And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
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Asked November 26 2021
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
According to Matthew's account of this same incident (Matthew 17:14-21), it seems to have been (according to Jesus) a combination of the apostles' unbelief; and the strength of the particular spirit itself, which required preparatory prayer and fasting on the part of humans who sought to drive it out.
Janet Hegna
Supporter
Luke 9:41 says that that was a faithless and perverse generation they lived in. Matt. 17:21 says: Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by fasting and prayer. The disciples were not doing this. Therefore, the demons were not leaving because they knew their weakness, or should I say authority the disciples didn't have quite yet. The demons knew what they could get away with when it came to the disciples until they were given the authority Jesus gave to them. They only spent 3 1/2 years with Jesus being trained to take on such a task, and then when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, the demons didn't have a chance. I thank God for patience with me, He is giving us a lifetime to learn what we need to be taught to do. Be blessed.
robert lawrence
Supporter
It is a possibility that there is another reason why "this kind" needs to be cast out through prayer and fasting. If a person is a victim of a demon by no fault of their own, then a simple command with the authority given by Jesus is sufficient. But what of the person that desires the power and chaos and strength of the demon? I say this from past experience as a warlock and later as a Satan-worshiper. I had no desire to lose the chaos I brought with me. It made me feel powerful and protected. Prayer and fasting is a way of interceding for the person for the father to continually interrupt the desires of the person in response to the prayers of the one sacrificing and mediating on behalf of the person. It may be that after time with the circumstances allowing for the person to realize the folly of this desire, then finally they might desire to be free from the demon, at which time THEN they could cast it out. This type, in this sense could mean any demon that is INVITED by the person to fill them.
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