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Explanation for:
Matthew
17
:
16
Then Jesus answered and said: O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
9
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"This does not suggest that He was filled with frustration; rather, He embodies humility and gentleness, as He remains silent before those who afflict Him, as stated in Isaiah 53:7. He did not react with rage; instead, He resembled a healer who observes a patient disregarding his guidance. The healer might lament, 'How long will I come to your home? How long will I invest effort in your care while you continue to defy my instructions?' Thus, His anger was directed not at humanity but at wrongdoing. Through this individual, He admonished the Jews for their lack of faith, subsequently stating: \\"Bring him to Me.\\""},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"‘Oh, a perverse generation... and unfaithful.’ This remark was made because the father of the afflicted boy, as referenced in Matthew 17:16, criticized the disciples, claiming they were unable to cure him. He believed they lacked the necessary experience in their teacher's practices. However, the teacher approached, and with the disciples amidst the turmoil, they sought to understand, asking, ‘Why were we unable to heal him?’ (cf. Matthew 17:19). Their ability to heal was obstructed by the blasphemy of disbelievers, who declared, ‘This man casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons’ (cf. Luke 11:15). They contended that the disciples were not yet adequately trained, questioning their lack of success in healing. Thus, He responded, ‘O perverse generation!’. Consequently, He promptly selected and dispatched seventy-two disciples across various paths, granting them the power to perform miraculous healings to reveal the fallacy of that perspective. ‘How long must I endure with you?’ For when they take His life, they will witness that His name works miracles and signs."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Scriptures reveal that this individual exhibited considerable weakness in his faith. This is demonstrated by several factors: Christ’s declaration that “all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23), the man’s own admission, “Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24), and the fact that Christ prohibited the unclean spirit from entering him again. Furthermore, the man questioned Christ, saying, “If you can do anything.” If you argue that this lack of belief was the reason the evil spirit did not depart, then why does Christ rebuke the disciples? He indicated that they had the capability to heal the sick solely through their faith. Often, the faith of an intercessor can suffice to secure a desired outcome, even from those lacking belief, and the power of a miracle worker can effect miracles despite the absence of faith in those approaching him. Both scenarios are validated in Scripture. Cornelius’ household received the grace of the Spirit through their faith, and Elisha was able to resurrect a dead man even when no one else believed, for those who placed him did so from fear rather than faith, simply casting him aside in their distress. The one they tossed was indeed lifeless, yet by the virtue of the sacred body, he arose. Thus, it is clear that some disciples lacked strength in faith, though not all; the foundational figures among them were not among this weakness.\\n\\nAdditionally, one can discern the folly of this man from a different angle. He expressed his grievances against the disciples to Jesus in front of the crowd: “I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him” (Matthew 17:16). In response, Christ redirected the criticism from His disciples, addressing the entire congregation, stating, “O unfaithful and perverse generation, how long will I be with you” (Matthew 17:17)? By doing so, He avoided isolating the man in accusation while pointing out the broader deficiency in belief among the people. Many present might have been inclined to hold negative views about the disciples. In saying, “as long as I am with you,” Christ reveals that His impending death is not an end he fears, but rather a longing for the transition from this world, indicating that the struggle lies not in His suffering but in the continuation of life alongside them.\\n\\nYet, His response did not solely consist of rebukes; He also instructed, “Bring him to Me here,” and then inquired of the father how long his son had endured this affliction, thereby shielding the disciples from blame while instilling in the father a renewed hope that his son would be freed from suffering. Should He permit the son to be tormented, it would not be for mere display; when the crowds gathered, He commanded the spirit to cease. His actions aimed to bolster the father's faith, enabling him to witness the demon's distress at Jesus' command, so that he might ultimately believe in the miracle about to unfold."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Consequently, the Lord, addressing the individual for blaming the disciples, exclaims, \\"O faithless generation.\\" This indicates that their weakness is not as grave as your lack of faith, which, being substantial, has surpassed their resilience. In rebuking this individual, the Lord is also condemning all who doubt and those gathered around. By stating, \\"as long as I will be with you,\\" He expresses His deep yearning for the agony of the cross and His distance from them. For how long will I remain with these transgressors and skeptics? See Matthew 17:14."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"This general criticism arises from the shared disbelief among the multitude of Jews who had witnessed numerous miracles performed not only by Christ but also by His followers. Their hearts are corrupted, that is, they are misleading and lacking understanding. While I am among you; while I endure your skepticism… harboring resentment and longing for death, for their lack of faith prevents them from receiving healing. Bring him back. To avoid seeming without power, He exorcises the demon. He commanded that the man afflicted by the demon be brought forth, so that His authority might be revealed to those who viewed Him as powerless."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"The gentle and lowly in spirit (Matthew 11:29) may experience anger, while the one who lacks anger faces rebuke. However, witness the wisdom of the righteous and the humility of God: since a public admonition is generally easier to accept than a private one, He addresses it collectively. He does not say, \\"O unfaithful and corrupt one,\\" but rather \\"O unfaithful and corrupt generation,\\" directing His condemnation towards the people present or to the broader Jewish community. He then added, \\"As long as I am with you,\\" indicating that the time of His suffering and death was approaching, and that enduring His own suffering and death was preferable to the persistence of their disbelief and moral decay. This reflects the justice of His mission; for as mercy is exalted in judgment (James 2:13), He said, \\"Bring Me to him this day,\\" expressing His compassion for the one who suffers."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In that moment, the father of the boy tormented by demons raised his grievances to Jesus Christ. However, Christ, deflecting the blame directed at His disciples before the crowd, leveled His own rebuke, and from His lips came a heartfelt expression of sorrow and indignation: \\"O faithless and perverse generation! Despite all My miracles, do you still lack faith? HOW LONG SHALL I BE WITH YOU? HOW LONG MUST I ENDURE YOU?\\" This statement is akin to the physician addressing a sick patient who ignores his counsel, as Blessed Jerome explains. “How long must I come to you and expend my efforts? I command one thing, yet you do another.” It is clear that the Lord’s displeasure was directed not at humanity, but at their sins, as evidenced by His subsequent command: \\"Bring him to Me.\\" When the boy was brought forth, the evil spirit stirred violently upon seeing the Divine Healer, causing him to convulse and fall to the ground, foaming at the mouth. One interpreter remarks that \\"Satan, in his fury, fears the impending judgement that awaits him.\\" It was impossible to directly comfort the afflicted boy, so the Lord turned to his father instead, seeking to inspire faith and hope through His divine compassion. \\"How long has this been happening to him?\\" the Lord inquired. The father responded, \\"Since childhood,\\" and to further evoke compassion, he relayed the perilous condition of his son, pleading, \\"If You are more capable than Your disciples, have mercy on us and help us!\\" The same heartfelt parental plea reflected in this \\"help us\\" resonates with the words of the Canaanite woman. Yet within the father's words, \\"if You can do anything,\\" there lingered doubt and disbelief, prompting the Lord to respond, \\"If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes\\" (Mark 9:23). When the flicker of faith sparked in the depths of the father’s heart, it illuminated the overwhelming darkness of his doubt, leading to a tearful exclamation: \\"I believe, Lord; help my unbelief\\" (Mark 9:24). This is often the case; a person only realizes the gravity of their unbelief when faith's grace shines upon their heart. Meanwhile, the crowd continued to swell, each person eager to witness the fate of the tormented youth."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"O faithless and perverse generation\\": this poignant and condemnatory statement, along with the subsequent remarks, is illuminated in part by the observation that the father of the possessed boy, seemingly lamenting to Jesus regarding the disciples' inability to cure his son, demonstrates a lack of faith. Furthermore, the presence of the scribes, who were disputing with the disciples about their failure to heal the afflicted youth, likely incited the crowd and turned their hearts against Christ. The phrase \\"Until I am with you\\" serves as a serious admonition to the Jews for their disbelief, despite the multitude of miracles and wonders that Jesus performed, rather than a sign of His own impatience."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The setback experienced by the Apostles partially stemmed from the lack of faith exhibited by the father of the boy afflicted with a demon. In response, Jesus exclaimed: \\"O unbelieving generation! How many miracles have been performed among you through my disciples in my name! Yet you continue to doubt! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with your incessant requests for signs before you believe?\\" This expression is not one of reproach or anger; rather, it reflects Jesus’ deep sorrow over the lack of faith among the people influenced by the Pharisees."}]}
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