Matthew 17:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 17:15 mean?

Matthew 17:15 records a father pleading with Jesus to help his son, who is suffering greatly and often falls into fire or water. The father describes his son as "lunatick" and "sore vexed," asking Jesus for mercy because the boy's condition is severe and dangerous.

In this scene, a desperate parent approaches Jesus directly, calling him "Lord" and begging for compassion. The language shows the seriousness of the boy’s suffering—he is in constant danger, and the father feels powerless. The verse highlights both the father’s faith in Jesus’ ability to help and the urgent need for relief from a condition that seems beyond human help.

The Greek behind Matthew 17:15

• "Lord" (Κύριε, kurie): This word shows the father's respect and recognition of Jesus’ authority, addressing him not just as a teacher but as someone with power to act.
• "Mercy" (ἐλέησον, eleēson): The Greek word means to show compassion or pity, emphasizing the father's hope that Jesus will respond with kindness to his son's suffering.
• "Lunatick" (σεληνιάζεται, selēniazetai): This term literally refers to being "moonstruck" and was used in ancient times for conditions thought to be affected by the moon, often what we might now call epilepsy or severe seizures.
• "Sore vexed" (κακῶς πάσχει, kakōs paschei): This phrase means to suffer badly or be greatly afflicted, underlining the seriousness of the boy’s condition.

Why Matthew 17:15 matters

• The verse clarifies that the boy’s suffering was not just physical but also seen as mysterious or uncontrollable, which helps explain the father’s desperation.
• The use of "lunatick" shows how people in that time understood certain illnesses, connecting the story to both ancient beliefs and the need for compassion regardless of the cause.
• This plea for mercy sets up the following verses, where Jesus responds, and highlights the theme of faith and reliance on Jesus for help in situations that seem hopeless.