Christian Quest
Study 19
The demonic son healed

Reading:
Matthew 17:14-27
Mark 9:14-32
Luke 9:37-45

Commentary

While in this area, we find the three synoptic writers following the course of Jesus ministry in closer harmony as to the order of events, we see the variances of writing style and trivial details. Anyone who works in investigation or a field that entails interviewing or interrogating witnesses knows that if you question three different witnesses you will get three versions of a story. Likewise, it is not in the details that differ, but in those facts which agree that matter. If inconsequential details are slightly at variance, it just helps solidify the fact that the separate accounts are not in a conspiracy, the three being reported in collusion with one another. In our view, that in itself lends validity of the facts that do agree in the three separate accounts.

In this study we have three versions of Jesus healing a possessed or epileptic child. Each of the synoptic writers report the event from their individual perspectives. Yet the main points of the incident are in amazing agreement, lending credibility to the fact that the event did occur and that a man, Jesus, did in fact perform the healing of such an afflicted child.

Only Matthew reports an account of Jesus paying the tax for himself and the Apostle Peter by instructing Peter to hook a fish, and find in its mouth a stater to pay the tax. The tax of two drachma was required of every male Jew. A stater was a shekle worth four drachma, therefore the stater would pay the taxes for two men, in this case, Jesus and Peter.

Again we see that Jesus is trying to impress on his disciples what must be weighing heavily on Jesus' mind, the ordeal in which that he is going to be killed in fulfillment of prophecy, which must come to pass, but the disciples do not truly comprehend.

Synopsis

Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42
Jesus had recently secretly disclosed to his disciples that he was the Messiah, and that he must face death in Jerusalem after which he would be raised on the third day. His disciples had not understand, indeed were somewhat in disbelief about the events that were soon to befall their Master. These things were no doubt weighing heavily on Jesus' mind. He was returning from the mountain with Peter, James and John, where he had appeared in dazzling transfiguration with Moses and Elijah. Upon their arriving from their descent, they encountered a crowd of people waiting to see Jesus and the disciples arguing with Scribes.. A man approached him with his son, whom he believed to be possessed of demons because of frequent seizures. He said the child would fall frothing at the mouth into fire or pools of water. Mark provides the added detail that the boy was mute and also the point that the son came into a heavy seizure upon approaching Jesus, which Luke reported as well. We also gain the clue from Mark that although the son is referred to as a boy, he may be a teen or near grown, for when Jesus asked how long he had been this way, the father replied since childhood. The disciples had evidently attempted to heal the the boy without success. All three accounts tell of the disciples not being able to heal the boy, to which Jesus asked the question in seeming exasperation, "How long will I be with this unbelieving generation". He granted the boy be brought to him, and he healed him much to the amazement of all who were present. Again, Mark is the one who tells that the boy first when again into convulsions and then appeared to be dead. But Jesus took his hand and he arose.

Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45
As they begin to journey through Galilee, Jesus tries to keep private with his apostles to convince them that he must be handed over to men to be killed and raised from the dead in three days. But as reported by Mark and Luke, the grieved apostles still do not comprehend the situation.

Matthew 17:24-27 - Upon a return to Capernaum, Peter is approached to pay their taxes of two drachma each man. Jesus instructs Peter to hook a fish from the sea and fetch a stater (worth four drachma) to pay their taxes.

Optional research:

• Where is Capernaum in proximity to Caesarea Philippi where Jesus cured the man's son of seizures.

Review questions:

• Where was Jesus coming from and with whom when they encountered the crowd where the father was waiting for Jesus with his afflicted son.
• Why did he believe the boy was possessed of spirits?
• Who were arguing with the disciples?
• Why did Jesus ask how long he would be with this generation of little faith?
• Where did they go after the boy was healed and why did Jesus avoid being seen.
• What happened to Peter when they returned to Capernaum, according to which Gospel account.
• How much is a stater?
• When interested you most about this lesson?

Optional discussion:

How do you feel about variances of detail in the same account among the three Synoptic Gospels?