Reformed Puritan Exegesis of Matthew 17:21
Reformed Puritan Exegesis of Matthew 17:21
Matthew 17:21 states, "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (NASB) [1]. This verse is part of the narrative where Jesus heals a boy possessed by a demon after his disciples fail to do so.
The verse is situated within the larger context of Jesus' ministry and the disciples' role in it. The preceding verses describe the disciples' inability to cast out the demon, and Jesus' subsequent rebuke of the faithless generation (Matthew 17:14-20). The passage is part of Matthew's Gospel, which emphasizes Jesus' authority and the disciples' responsibility to continue his work.
The historical setting of this passage is crucial for understanding its significance. Jesus is addressing his disciples, who are struggling to cast out a demon. The verse reflects the early Christian community's concerns about spiritual warfare and the role of prayer and fasting in overcoming demonic forces.
The key terms in this verse are "prayer" and "fasting." The Greek words used are προσευχή (proseuchē) and νηστεία (nēsteia), respectively. While the verse does not provide an explicit definition of these terms, the context suggests that they are essential for spiritual discipline and empowerment.
One major exegetical decision surrounding Matthew 17:21 concerns its textual authenticity. Some manuscripts omit the verse, leading to debates about its inclusion in the original text. However, many Reformed and Puritan commentators have accepted the verse as part of the canonical text.
Reformed Puritan exegesis of Matthew 17:21 emphasizes the importance of prayer and fasting in spiritual warfare. According to John Calvin, prayer is essential for spiritual quickening and regeneration [2]. Charles Hodge, one theologian, highlights the significance of prayer in the life of the believer, citing its role in accessing divine power and guidance [5].
Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist/Puritan commentator, interprets Matthew 17:21 as emphasizing the need for spiritual discipline and humility in the face of spiritual challenges. one tradition notes that the disciples' failure to cast out the demon was due to their lack of faith and prayer [6].
The Patristic tradition also provides insight into the interpretation of Matthew 17:21. Augustine, for example, discusses the importance of prayer and fasting in the context of spiritual growth and purification [3].
In Reformed and Puritan theology, Matthew 17:21 has been used to support the doctrine of spiritual discipline and the importance of prayer and fasting in the Christian life. The verse has been seen as a call to humility and dependence on God in the face of spiritual challenges.
The interpretation of Matthew 17:21 has also been influenced by the broader theological context of the Reformed and Puritan traditions. The emphasis on the sovereignty of God and the importance of human cooperation with divine grace is reflected in the exegesis of this verse.
The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, also provides a distinct interpretation of Matthew 17:21. Aquinas discusses the verse in the context of Christ's transfiguration and the disciples' role in the Church [4].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 17:21 (NASB) — ["But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."]”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 56: say, preaching carrying spiritual quickening along with it. ( 2 Cor. 3:6 ), since teachers would cry aloud to no purpose, did not Christ, the internal teacher, by means of his Spirit, draw to himself those who are given him of the Father. Therefore, as we have said that salvation is perfected in the person of Christ, so, in order to make us partakers of it, he baptizes us “with the Holy Spirit and with fire,” ( Luke 3:16 ), enlightening us into the faith of his Gospel, and so regenerating us to be new creatures. Thus cleansed from ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL, MATT. CHAP. V. 3 AND 8, "BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT:" ETC., BUT ESPECIALLY ON THAT, "BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART: FOR THEY SHALL SEE GOD." (part 13): have comprehended all these things, not in the mere understanding but in action also ("for a good understanding have all they that do hereafter),"(1) then if thou canst, stretch out thyself to attain to the knowledge of the "love of Christ which passeth knowledge." When thou hast attained to it, thou "wilt be filled with all the fulness of God." Then will be fulf”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of Christ's Transfiguration, Art. 1: Article: Whether it was fitting that Christ should be transfigured? I answer that, Our Lord, after foretelling His Passion to His disciples, had exhorted them to follow the path of His sufferings (Mt. 16:21,24). Now in order that anyone go straight along a road, he must have some knowledge of the end: thus an archer will not shoot the arrow straight unless he first see the target. Hence Thomas said (Jn. 14:5): "Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?" Above all is this necessary”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 137: of his creatures; that in all cases of suffering there is an imperative reason for its infliction, consistent with the highest wisdom and benevolence. God pities even the wicked whom He condemns, as a father pities the disobedient child whom he chastises. And as the father can truthfully and with a full heart say that he delights not in the sufferings of his child, so our Father in heaven can say, that He delights not in the death of the wicked. The difficulty as to the passage in 1 Timothy ii. 4 , arises simply from the ambiguity of the”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:21: We have here the conclusion of this long and excellent sermon, the scope of which is to show the indispensable necessity of obedience to the commands of Christ; this is designed to clench the nail, that it might fix in a sure place: he speaks this to his disciples, that sat at his feet whenever he preached, and followed him wherever he went. Had he sought his own praise among men, he would have said, that was enough; but the religion he came to establish is in power, not in word only (Co1 4:20), and therefore something more is necessary. I. He shows, by a plain r”