Luke 9:1
King James Version
9 Then he called his twelve disciples together,
and gave them power and authority over all devils,
and to cure diseases.
JESUS gave His disciples power to drive out demons, to cure diseases, and to preach the gospel.
But why is it that, at one specified time, they failed to drive out a demon?
Let's hear the Bible's account:
Mark 9:14-27
King James Version
14 And when he came to his disciples,
he saw a great multitude about them,
and the scribes questioning with them.
15 And straightway all the people,
when they beheld him, were greatly amazed,
and running to him saluted him.
16 And he asked the scribes,
What question ye with them?
17 And one of the multitude answered and said,
Master,
I have brought unto thee my son,
which hath a dumb spirit;
18 And wheresoever he taketh him,
he teareth him:
and he foameth,
and gnasheth with his teeth,
and pineth away:
and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out;
and they could not.
19 He answereth him, and saith,
O faithless generation,
how long shall I be with you?
how long shall I suffer you?
bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him:
and when he saw him,
straightway the spirit tare him;
and he fell on the ground,
and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father,
How long is it ago since this came unto him?
And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire,
and into the waters, to destroy him:
but if thou canst do any thing,
have compassion on us, and help us.
23 Jesus said unto him,
If thou canst believe,
all things are possible to him that believeth.
24 And straightway the father of the child cried out,
and said with tears,
Lord, I believe;
help thou mine unbelief.
25 When Jesus saw that the people 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.
26 And the spirit cried,
and rent him sore,
and came out of him:
and he was as one dead;
insomuch that many said,
He is dead.
27 But Jesus took him by the hand,
and lifted him up; and he arose.
Humbled, and shamefaced, the apostles asked JESUS:
Mark 9:28
King James Version
28 And when he was come into the house,
his disciples asked him privately,
Why could not we cast him out?
The LORD answered simply:
Mark 9:29
King James Version
29 And he said unto them,
This kind can come forth by nothing,
but by prayer and fasting.
Matthew's account of the LORD's answer goes this way:
Matthew 17:20-21
King James Version
20 And Jesus said unto them,
Because of your unbelief:
for verily I say unto you,
If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye shall say unto this mountain,
Remove hence to yonder place;
and it shall remove;
and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out
but by prayer and fasting.
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