20. They brought him to Jesus.As soon as the spirit saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a fit, so that he fell on the ground and rolled round, foaming at the mouth.
21. “How long has he been like this?” Jesus asked the father.“Ever since he was a child,” he replied.
22. “Many times the evil spirit has tried to kill him by throwing him in the fire and into water. Have pity on us and help us, if you possibly can!”
23. “Yes,” said Jesus, “if you yourself can! Everything is possible for the person who has faith.”
24. The father at once cried out, “I do have faith, but not enough. Help me to have more!”
25. Jesus noticed that the crowd was closing in on them, so he gave a command to the evil spirit. “Deaf and dumb spirit,” he said, “I order you to come out of the boy and never go into him again!”
26. The spirit screamed, threw the boy into a bad fit, and came out. The boy looked like a corpse, and everyone said, “He is dead!”
27. But Jesus took the boy by the hand and helped him to rise, and he stood up.
28. After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn't we drive the spirit out?”
29. “Only prayer can drive this kind out,” answered Jesus; “nothing else can.”