Luke 9:40
New International Version
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

New Living Translation
I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

English Standard Version
And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

Berean Standard Bible
I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”

Berean Literal Bible
And I begged Your disciples that they might cast it out, and they were not able."

King James Bible
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

New King James Version
So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

New American Standard Bible
And I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”

NASB 1995
“I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”

NASB 1977
“And I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”

Amplified Bible
I begged Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

Christian Standard Bible
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”

American Standard Version
And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

Contemporary English Version
I begged your disciples to force out the demon, but they couldn't do it."

English Revised Version
And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I begged your disciples to force the spirit out of him, but they couldn't do it."

Good News Translation
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't."

International Standard Version
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't."

Majority Standard Bible
I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”

NET Bible
I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so."

New Heart English Bible
I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they could not."

Webster's Bible Translation
And I besought thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not.

Weymouth New Testament
I entreated your disciples to expel the spirit, but they could not."

World English Bible
I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn’t.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I implored Your disciples that they might cast it out, and they were not able.”

Berean Literal Bible
And I begged Your disciples that they might cast it out, and they were not able."

Young's Literal Translation
and I besought thy disciples that they might cast it out, and they were not able.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I implored thy disciples that they cast it out; and they could not.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I desired thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I asked your disciples to cast him out, and they were unable.”

New American Bible
I begged your disciples to cast it out but they could not.”

New Revised Standard Version
I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I besought your disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And I begged of your disciples to cast it out and they could not.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And I entreated thy disciples to cast it out; but they were not able.

Godbey New Testament
And I besought thy disciples, that they should cast him out; and they were not able.

Haweis New Testament
And I besought thy disciples that they would cast him out, and they could not.

Mace New Testament
I desired your disciples to cast out this spirit; but they were not able.

Weymouth New Testament
I entreated your disciples to expel the spirit, but they could not."

Worrell New Testament
and I besought Thy disciples to cast it out, but they were not able."

Worsley New Testament
And I prayed thy disciples to cast him out, and they could not.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Boy with an Evil Spirit
39A spirit keeps seizing him, and he screams abruptly. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It keeps mauling him and rarely departs from him. 40 I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.” 41“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”…

Cross References
Matthew 17:16
I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

Mark 9:18
Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”

Matthew 17:19-20
Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” / “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mark 9:28-29
After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” / Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”

Matthew 10:1
And calling His twelve disciples to Him, Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.

Mark 6:7
Then Jesus called the Twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits.

Luke 10:17
The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.”

Acts 19:13-16
Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.” / Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. / But one day the evil spirit responded, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” ...

Matthew 21:21
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

John 14:12
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

2 Kings 4:29-31
So Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment, take my staff in your hand, and go! If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not answer him. Then lay my staff on the boy’s face.” / And the mother of the boy said, “As surely as the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he got up and followed her. / Gehazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the boy’s face, but there was no sound or response. So he went back to meet Elisha and told him, “The boy has not awakened.”

2 Kings 5:11
But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.

Exodus 7:11-12
But Pharaoh called the wise men and sorcerers and magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same things by their magic arts. / Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.

Numbers 11:14-15
I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. / If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.”

1 Kings 18:26-29
And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. / At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” / So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And I sought your disciples to cast him out; and they could not.

and they.

Luke 9:1
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Luke 10:17-19
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name…

2 Kings 4:31
And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

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Able Begged Besought Cast Couldn't Disciples Drive Entreated Expel Request Spirit
Luke 9
1. Jesus sends his apostles to work miracles, and to preach.
7. Herod desires to see Jesus.
10. The apostles return.
12. Jesus feeds five thousand;
18. inquires what opinion the world had of him; foretells his passion;
23. proposes to all the pattern of his patience.
28. The transfiguration.
37. He heals the lunatic;
43. again forewarns his disciples of his passion;
46. commends humility;
51. bids them to show mildness toward all, without desire of revenge.
57. Many would follow him, but upon conditions.














I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable
I begged
The Greek word used here is "ἐδεήθην" (edeēthēn), which conveys a sense of earnest pleading or supplication. This word reflects the desperation and urgency of the father's request. In the context of the Gospels, it often denotes a deep, heartfelt appeal to Jesus or His followers for help. This plea underscores the father's faith in Jesus' power, even when faced with the disciples' inability to help. It reminds us of the importance of approaching God with humility and sincerity in our prayers, trusting in His ability to intervene in our lives.

Your disciples
The term "disciples" refers to the followers of Jesus, specifically the twelve apostles who were chosen and commissioned by Him. In the historical context, these men were given authority by Jesus to cast out demons and heal the sick (Luke 9:1-2). However, their inability in this instance highlights their human limitations and the necessity of faith and reliance on God's power. This serves as a reminder that even those closest to Jesus can struggle and fail, emphasizing the need for continual dependence on Christ.

to drive it out
The phrase "to drive it out" refers to the act of exorcism, the expulsion of a demon or evil spirit. The Greek word "ἐκβάλλω" (ekballō) is used, meaning to cast out or expel. This action was a significant part of Jesus' ministry, demonstrating His authority over the spiritual realm. The disciples' failure to perform this act in this instance points to a lack of faith or understanding, as Jesus later explains. It serves as a lesson on the necessity of spiritual preparedness and faith in God's power to overcome evil.

but they were unable
The phrase "they were unable" highlights the disciples' failure in this situation. The Greek word "ἠδυνήθησαν" (ēdynēthēsan) indicates a lack of power or ability. This failure is not due to a lack of authority, as Jesus had already given them power over demons, but rather a lack of faith or spiritual readiness. This moment serves as a teaching point for the disciples and for us, illustrating that spiritual authority and success in ministry are dependent on faith and reliance on God, not merely on human effort or past successes.

Verse 40. - And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. This appears to have been a case of the deadliest kind of epileptic lunacy. Our Lord distinctly assumes here that the disease in this case was occasioned by an unclean spirit who had taken possession of the suffering child. The whole question of demoniacal possession, its extent, its cause, whether or no it still survives in some of the many mysterious phases of madness, is very difficult. It has been discussed elsewhere (see notes on Luke 4:33 and following verses).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I begged
ἐδεήθην (edeēthēn)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1189: To want for myself; I want, need; I beg, request, beseech, pray. Middle voice of deo; to beg, i.e. Petition.

Your
σου (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

disciples
μαθητῶν (mathētōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3101: A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.

to
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

drive it out,
ἐκβάλωσιν (ekbalōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1544: To throw (cast, put) out; I banish; I bring forth, produce. From ek and ballo; to eject.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they were unable.”
ἠδυνήθησαν (ēdynēthēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.


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Luke 9:39
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