And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
After Jesus had cast out the spirit, the disciples came to Him privately to ask why they had been unable to cast it out. Power and authority over unclean spirits to work miracles of healing had previously been conferred upon them, and they had succeeded when they went out in faith. This time the spirit resisted their command, and their failure before many witnesses left them humiliated and perplexed, deeply mortified and without understanding of their defeat.
The reason for their failure was their unbelief and the carelessness with which they regarded the sacred work committed to them. They had not fitted themselves for their holy office by fasting and prayer, and it was impossible for them to vanquish Satan except as they received power from God.
They needed to go to God in humiliation and self-sacrifice, pleading for strength to conquer the enemy of souls, since nothing but entire dependence upon God and perfect consecration to the work would ensure success. Jesus encouraged the disappointed disciples with the promise that faith as a grain of mustard seed can command a mountain to remove and that nothing shall be impossible.
After Jesus had cast out the spirit, the disciples came to Him privately to ask why they had been unable to cast it out. Power and authority over unclean spirits to work miracles of healing had previously been conferred upon them, and they had succeeded when they went out in faith. This time the spirit resisted their command, and their failure before many witnesses left them humiliated and perplexed, deeply mortified and without understanding of their defeat.
The reason for their failure was their unbelief and the carelessness with which they regarded the sacred work committed to them. They had not fitted themselves for their holy office by fasting and prayer, and it was impossible for them to vanquish Satan except as they received power from God.
They needed to go to God in humiliation and self-sacrifice, pleading for strength to conquer the enemy of souls, since nothing but entire dependence upon God and perfect consecration to the work would ensure success. Jesus encouraged the disappointed disciples with the promise that faith as a grain of mustard seed can command a mountain to remove and that nothing shall be impossible.