Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

MATTHEW 17:17KJV
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Matthew 17:17 (KJV)

What does Matthew 17:17 mean?

Matthew 17:17 shows Jesus expressing frustration at the lack of faith and understanding among the people around Him, calling them a "faithless and perverse generation" and asking how long He must continue to bear with them. Jesus then tells them to bring the troubled boy to Him so He can help directly.

In this scene, Jesus is speaking to a crowd that includes His disciples, who had just failed to heal a boy suffering from severe symptoms. The words "faithless" and "perverse" highlight a deep disappointment with their inability to trust God and their distorted way of thinking. Jesus’ response sets up the miracle that follows and underscores the importance of faith in His ministry.

The Greek behind Matthew 17:17

  • "Faithless" (ἄπιστος, apistos): This word means lacking faith or trust. Jesus uses it to describe a general absence of trust in God’s power, not just among the crowd but also His own disciples.
  • "Perverse" (διαστραμμένη, diestrammenē): This term means twisted or turned away from what is right. It suggests a moral or spiritual distortion, not just a simple mistake.
  • "Generation" (γενεά, genea): In Greek, this word can refer to a group of people living at the same time, but it also carries a sense of shared attitudes or characteristics. Here, it points to a widespread problem, not just a few individuals.
  • "Suffer" (ἀνέξομαι, anexomai): This word means to endure or put up with. Jesus’ question, "how long shall I suffer you?" shows His patience is being tested, but He still chooses to help.

Why Matthew 17:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that even those closest to Jesus, like His disciples, sometimes struggled with faith, showing that doubt and misunderstanding were common challenges.
  • By calling the generation "faithless and perverse," Jesus draws attention to a deeper issue than just one failed healing—He points to a widespread spiritual problem.
  • The verse sets the stage for the miracle that follows, emphasizing that Jesus’ power is not limited by human weakness, but faith is still crucial for experiencing His work.

Where else these words appear

“perverse” Greek G1294 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 9:41 And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
  • Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer(for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
  • Acts 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

“suffer” Greek G430 · used in 14 verses

  • Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
  • Ephesians 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

“O” Greek G5599 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
  • Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
  • Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

“long” Greek G4219 · used in 17 verses

  • Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
  • Mark 9:19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
  • Luke 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.