And he said unto them,
This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
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Bede
AD 735
In Marc., 3, 38: In all cases, the difference between the mind of the Scribes and of the people ought to be observed; for the Scribes are never said to have shown any devotion, faith, humility, and reverence, but as soon as the Lord was come, the whole multitude was greatly amazed and feared, and ran up to Him, and saluted Him; wherefore there follows, “And running to Him, saluted Him.”.
The question, indeed, which was raised may, if I am not deceived, have been this, wherefore they, who were the disciples of the Saviour, were unable to heal the demoniac, who was placed in the midst, which may be gathered from the following words; “And one of the multitude answered and said, “Master, I have brought unto thee my son, whichhath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and hefoameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away.”.
So far, however, is He from being angry with the person, though He reproved the sin, that He immediately added, "Bring him unto Me; and the...
And they bring no help to those over whom they make their adjurations; but they speak with terrible words, and affright people, but do not act with true faith, according to the teaching of our Lord, who hath said: "This kind goeth not out but by fasting and prayer"
They passed through Galilee, and He would not that any one should know it. Lest He should be detained by the Galileans from love of Himself and His benefits. For He was hastening to Jerusalem to His cross and death, about which He was speaking privately to His disciples, that He might accomplish the will of His Father, and redeem the human race.
Now he expresses in the words of his petition his want of faith; for that is the reason why he adds, “But ifthou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. "For in that he says, “If thou canst do anything,” he shows that he doubts His power, because he had seen that the disciples of Christ had failed in curing him; but he says, “have compassion onus,” to show the misery of the sons, who suffered, and the father, who suffered with him. It goes on: “Jesus said unto him, If thoucanst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Mor. x., 30: But he who is freed from the power of the evil spirit is thought to be dead; for whosoever has already subdued earthly desires, puts to death within himself his carnal mode of life, and appears to the world as a dead man, and many look upon him as dead; for they who know not how to live after the Spirit, think that he who does not follow after carnal pleasures is altogether dead.
But there is no peace forman under the sun; envy is ever slaying the little ones, and lightnings strike the tops of the great mountains. Of all those who run to the Church, some as the multitudes come in faith to learn, others, as the Scribes, with envy andpride.It goes on, “And straightway all the people, when they beheld Jesus, were greatly amazed, and feared.”.
This saying, “If thoucanst,” is a proof of the freedom of the will. Again, all things are possible to him that believeth, which evidently means all those things which are prayed for with tears in the name of Jesus, that is, of salvation.
By this also we are taught that our faith is tottering, if it lean not on the stay of the help of God. But faith by its tears receives the accomplishment of its wishes. Wherefore it continues, “When Jesus saw that the multitude came running together, He rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee come out of him, and enter no more into him.”.
Further, in...
The Lord himself consecrated his baptism by a forty days’ fast, and taught us that the more violent devils cannot be overcome except by prayer and fasting.
The Scriptures declare that this man was weak in faith, for Christ says, “O faithless generation:” and He adds, "If thou canst believe. "But although his want of faith was the cause of their not casting out the devil, he nevertheless accuses thedisciples.Wherefore it is added, “And I spake to thydisciples that they should cast him out; but they could not. "Now observe his folly; in praying to Jesus in the midst of the crowd, he accuses the disciples, wherefore the Lord before the multitude so much the more accuses him, and not only aims the accusation at himself, but also extends it to all the Jews; for it is probable that many of those present had been offended, and had held wrong thoughts concerning Hisdisciples.Wherefore there follows, “He answereth them and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shallI suffer you?” By which He showed both that He desired death, and that it was aburden to Him to converse with them.
But this the Lord permitted forthe sa...
After He had shown His gloryin the mount to the three disciples, He returns to the other disciples, who had not come up with Him into the mount; wherefore it is said, “And when He came toHis disciples, He saw a great multitude about them, and the Scribes questioning with them. "For the Pharisees, catching the opportunity of the hour when Christ was not present, came up to them, to try to draw the mover to themselves.
For the multitude was glad tosee Him, so that they saluted Him from afar, as He was coming to them; but some suppose that His countenance had become more beautiful from His transfiguration, and that this induced the crowd to salute Him. It goes on: “And He asked them, What question ye with them? "Why does the Lord put this question? That confession may produce salvation, and the murmuring of our hearts may be appeased by religious works.
The reason that He rebuked the foul spirit, when He saw the crowd running together, was that He did not wish to cure him before the multi...
