Matthew 17:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus teaches that this kind of spirit comes out only through prayer and fasting.
What Does Matthew 17:21 Mean?
Jesus adds that some deliverances yield only to prayer and fasting. There are burdens that give way not to a quick word but to a life deeply joined to God, where the body is humbled and the heart is bent toward heaven in sustained dependence.
Prayer and fasting are not techniques for forcing God's hand but the posture of those who know their need and seek His power. They train the soul to rely on God rather than self. Christ points His followers to a deeper communion, where strength for the hardest battles is drawn from waiting humbly upon the Lord.
Matthew 17:21 in the Original Language
nesteia (νηστεία), 'fasting' -- abstaining from food to humble oneself and seek God in earnest prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 17:21
What does Matthew 17:21 mean?
Jesus teaches that this kind of spirit comes out only through prayer and fasting.