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§23 Jesus Heals an Epileptic Boy (Luke 9:37–43a)

Luke’s story of the exorcism and healing of the epileptic boy is taken from Mark 9:14–27. Luke has abbreviated and refined the story in such a way that it ties in more closely with the transfiguration episode and contributes in a general way to the overriding question of Luke 9 concerning the identity of Jesus. Having just descended from the mountain, Jesus has the opportunity to define his messiahship in terms of ministry to the sick and needy.

The man in the crowd who called out in desperation reminds us of Jairus (8:40–42), while the fact his afflicted son is his only child reminds us of the widow of Nain (7:11–17). According to the description, the boy was an epileptic, although the cause of the condition is attributed to a spirit (v. 39) and, later, an evil spirit (v. 42; lit. “demon”). The curious feature of this incident is the inability of his disciples to drive it out. Since Peter, James, and John were with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, the reference, at least in the Lucan context, would have to be to some of the other disciples. What is puzzling is that in 9:1 Jesus had given his disciples “power and authority to drive out all demons,” and yet in this case they were unable to effect a cure. It is unlikely that disciples other than the Twelve are in view. Fitzmyer (p. 809) wonders if the power given to the Twelve in 9:1 was only for the mission itself and so was temporary. This may be, for it is in the context of the later mission of the Seventy that the disciples of Jesus once again experience authority over demons (see 10:17). (Although, in 9:49–50 others apparently are able to cast out demons in Jesus’ name.)

The disciples’ inability to exorcise the demon and cure the boy prompts Jesus’ outburst in v. 41. His questions, in all likelihood, refer to everyone, not just to his disciples (in Mark the emphasis lies very much on the lack of faith). In asking, how long?… Jesus is hinting at the nearing end of his earthly ministry. By referring to the generation as unbelieving and perverse Jesus is setting the stage for his own rejection. His generation is not yet prepared to receive him. Because of their unbelief and perversity they are not yet ready to repent and receive God’s blessing.