14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 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. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. (Matthew 17:14-16 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. A sick patient brought to Christ, the great physician, for cure and healing. A lunatic, that is, a person, at certain times of the moon, afflicted with the falling sickness.
2. This sickness of his was aggravated by Satan, who bodily possessed him, and cruelly cast him into the fire and into the water, but rather for torture than dispatch.
O how does Satan, that malicious tyrant, rejoice in doing hurt to mankind! Lord, abate his power, since his malice will not be abated.
Observe, 3. The person who brought him forth for cure, his compassionate father, who kneeled down and cried out, need will make a person both humble and eloquent. Everyone has a tongue to speak for himself; happy is he that keeps a tongue for others.
4. The physicians that he was first brought unto: first, to the disciples; and when they could not cure him, then to Jesus. We never apply ourselves importunately to the God of power, till we begin to despair of the creature’s help.