Matthew 17:15

Verse

“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

American Standard Version (1901)

Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft-times into the water.

Bible in Basic English

Lord have mercy on my son: for he is off his head, and is in great pain; and frequently he goes falling into the fire, and frequently into the water.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Free Bible Version

“Lord, please have mercy on my son,” he said. “He loses his mind and suffers such terrible fits that he often falls in the fire or into water.

Geneva Bible 1599

And saide, Master, haue pitie on my sonne: for he is lunatike, and is sore vexed: for oft times he falleth into the fire, and oft times into the water.

King James (Authorized) Version

Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

One Unity Resource Bible

“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.

Translation for Translators

He said to him, “Sir/Lord, have mercy on my son and heal him! He has epilepsy and suffers very much. Because of this illness, he has fallen in the fire and in the water many times.

Unlocked Literal Bible

“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers severely. For he often falls into the fire or the water.

Noah Webster Bible

Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic, and grievously distressed; for often he falleth into the fire, and often into the water.

World English Bible

“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.

Young's Literal Translation

and saying, 'Sir, deal kindly with my son, for he is lunatic, and doth suffer miserably, for often he doth fall into the fire, and often into the water,

Context

The Boy with a Demon

¹⁴When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him.¹⁵“Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.¹⁶I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

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Summary

In this verse, a desperate father approaches Jesus, seeking help for his demon-possessed son. The father's plea reflects his faith in Jesus' ability to heal and deliver his son from torment. This interaction showcases the compassion and power of Jesus in responding to the father's request with mercy and authority. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of bringing our needs and concerns to Jesus in faith, trusting in His ability to intervene in our lives.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Lord, have mercy on my son,.... He addressed him with great marks of honour and respect, not only by gesture, but by words; he craves mercy, pity, and compassion; for the case he had to present, was a miserable one; and his earnestness and importunity he hoped might be excused, since it was for a child of his own. Luke adds "for he is mine only child"; and therefore his affection for him must be thought to be very strong, and he greatly concerned for its grievous affliction, and earnestly desirous of its health and life. For he is lunatic: not a mad man, but troubled with the epileptic disease; upon which, as on madness or lunacy, the changes and full of the moon have an influence: hence the next clause, and sore vexed, is rendered in the Arabic version, "and sore vexed at the beginning of full moons"; at which times, he had very grievous and frequent fits of his disorder: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water: which shows it to be the "epilepsy", or "falling sickness", he was afflicted with; which, whenever it seized him, whether by the fireside, or by the side of a river or brook, or any place of water, or in any other dangerous situation, he fell into it, not being able to help himself, or avoid any danger to which he was exposed. A larger account of this child's disorder, and of the circumstances of his cure, are related by Mar 9:17 where this case will be more fully considered. See Gill on Mar 9:17. See Gill on Mar 9:18.