Healing of the Epileptic Boy
A father brings his demon-possessed son whom the disciples could not heal. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and heals the boy, teaching that this kind requires prayer.
Parallel Accounts
Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
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Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), public domain.
Explore Further
Mark's account is dramatically longer and more detailed than Matthew's or Luke's, including the father's memorable cry "I believe; help my unbelief!" and the boy convulsing so violently he appeared dead. Matthew reduces the narrative to focus on the faith lesson. Some manuscripts of Matthew and Mark add "and fasting" to "prayer," but this is likely a later scribal addition.
Links the disciples' failure to their little faith.
Most detailed: the father's cry "I believe; help my unbelief!" and the boy appearing dead before Jesus raises him.
Brief account emphasizing the greatness of God.
The bulk of Jesus's public work centered in Galilee: calling of the Twelve, the Sermon on the Mount, parables, miracles, and growing opposition.
All pericopes