But this kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting.
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The Setting
Matthew 17:21 falls at the foot of the Mount of Transfiguration, where the disciples had failed to cast out a stubborn demon from a lunatic boy. The Lord first traces their failure to unbelief, then adds this further word: "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Different Kinds of Spirits
The verse opens by acknowledging that not every demonic stronghold yields to the same measure of faith. Some require deeper exercise of soul.
Leslie M. GrantVerse 21 however shows that there are different kinds of evil spirits, and this kind required prayer and fasting to expel. This does not deny what He has already said, but further explains it; for prayer is the very expression of dependent faith: in fact it is the positive side of faith; while fasting emphasizes its negative side. That is, faith, while depending on God, also judges every selfish motive.
A parallel note on Mark's account makes the same connection between this verse and the rebuke of unbelief that comes just before it:
Leslie M. GrantThe disciples in the house questioned the Lord as to why they were not able to cast out the demon, and were told, "This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting." There are therefore different kinds of spirits. However, the connection of this verse and verse 19 shows that we are faithless if we lack prayer and fasting. For prayer expresses dependence on God, while fasting emphasizes self-denial or no confidence in the flesh.
Unbelief Beneath the Failure
The disciples should have had Christ's resources at their disposal. The scene at the foot of the mountain exposes how Satan's power is only really broken where faith draws on Christ.
William KellyThe disciples failed to draw on the resources of Christ to put down the power of the enemy... The disciples wanted to know how it was that they could not cast him out, and He tells them, "Because of your unbelief." It is as sad as wonderful that unbelief is at the root of the difficulties Satan foists in; for he has lost his power over those that have faith... unbelief is unable to use the power of God, which ought to have been at the command of the disciples. "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place." The least working of faith in the soul is so far available for present difficulties.
What Prayer and Fasting Mean
The two terms are not merely religious exercises but describe the whole posture of a believer who refuses confidence in self and leans wholly on God.
MagazinesPrayer is the expression of entire dependence on God. Fasting indicates the absolute refusal of ourselves and all human gratifications. Practically the first man is completely set aside, and we walk in simple dependence on God alone. This will mean death to myself as a man here in every way. Faith connects our souls with another scene altogether, where the first man has no place.
Another comment fastens on fasting as the inward judgment of the flesh — treating self as if it did not exist:
Numerical Bible NotesIn fasting the Lord touches that inward mortification which expresses the realization of what man is in the sight of God... Fasting is treating them as if they did not exist, — not ministering to self: an unnatural condition which implies fallen nature; you can do nothing with it, but leave it out. The apostle speaks of this as the true characteristic of the children of God (Rom. 8:13-14).
A Pattern Illustrated in Ezra
Scripture provides a living example of the principle. Ezra's prayer and fasting over the sin of Israel showed the same secret of spiritual power that Matthew 17:21 describes.
MagazinesWhen the Lord came down from the mount, and cast out the demon from the afflicted lad, His disciples asked, "Why could not we cast him out?" The answer was, "Because of your unbelief;" and then... He added, "Howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." And surely we may say that an unclean spirit had entered into Israel at this time, and it was precisely because Ezra had been before God with prayer and fasting that he could be used to cast him out. Yea, is it not the secret of all spiritual power — to be thus alone with God? There is indeed no power without it.
Summary
- Different kinds. Some satanic strongholds will not yield except where faith is deepened by prayer and the judgment of self.
- Two sides of faith. Prayer is the positive side — dependence on God; fasting is the negative side — refusing every selfish motive and the gratifications of the flesh.
- Root of failure. The disciples could not cast the demon out because of unbelief; even faith "as a grain of mustard-seed" can move mountains, but the flesh trusted in cannot.
- First man set aside. True prayer and fasting practically put the natural man completely out of the way, walking in simple dependence on God alone.
- Secret of power. To be alone with God in prayer and self-denial — as Ezra was — is the secret of all spiritual power against the enemy.