Luke 9:40
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Jesus had given the Twelve authority over demons and diseases (Luke 9:1), and they had exercised this successfully during their preaching tour (9:6). Their failure here echoes Israel's defeat at Ai after Jericho's victory (Joshua 7)—presumption following triumph. Jewish exorcists used elaborate formulas and rituals (Acts 19:13-16), but Jesus' disciples had been given simple authority in His name. Their failure while Jesus was absent parallels the church's struggle throughout history—powerlessness when prayer life declines. The early church understood this lesson, devoting themselves to prayer (Acts 2:42, 6:4). The incident warned against presumptuous ministry divorced from dependent communion with God.
Questions for Reflection
- What causes spiritual authority previously exercised successfully to become ineffective, as the disciples experienced?
- How does the disciples' failure while Jesus was on the mountain warn against dependence on external authority rather than personal communion with God?
- In what ways can past ministry success breed complacency that leads to present powerlessness?
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Analysis & Commentary
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. The father had already sought help: edeēthēn (ἐδεήθην, "I besought" or "begged")—the same urgent pleading now directed to Jesus was first directed to the disciples. The phrase to cast him out (hina ekbalōsin auto, ἵνα ἐκβάλωσιν αὐτό) uses ekballō (to expel or drive out)—the standard term for exorcism. The devastating conclusion: and they could not (kai ouk ēdynēthēsan, καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν)—they were powerless.
This failure is striking—the disciples had previously cast out demons successfully (9:1, 6). What changed? Jesus later explains: this kind requires prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). Their earlier success may have bred complacency, relying on technique rather than God's power. The failure occurred while Jesus was on the mountain, suggesting their dependence on His presence rather than cultivating their own prayerful dependence on the Father. This public failure humiliated them but taught a crucial lesson: spiritual authority flows from intimacy with God, not mere authorization or past success.