Matthew 17 · Verse 14

Matthew 17:14

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

Matthew 17:14, King James Version

Matthew 17:14 in other translations

BSB	When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him.
WEB	When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,
ASV	And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, and saying,
YLT	And when they came unto the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling down to him,
DARBY	And when they came to the crowd, a man came to him, falling on his knees before him, and saying,
BBE	And when they came to the people, a man went down on his knees to him, saying,
Webster	And when they had come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man kneeling down to him, and saying,

What does Matthew 17:14 mean?

Barnes' Notes

Verses 14-21. This narrative, with some additions, is found in Mk 9:14-29, Lk 9:37-43.

Verse 14. And when they were come to the multitude. This took place on the day following the transfiguration, Lk 9:37. This multitude was probably composed of persons who had attended on his ministry, and many of whom were his real disciples. With them, as Mark Mk 9:14 informs us, were scribes questioning with them. That is, they were probably professedly making inquiries about the Saviour, but really attempting to introduce their own sentiments, and to draw them off from him. They probably artfully asked them many questions about his birth, his family, his appearance, his manner of life, and his instructions, all which were contrary to the general expectation respecting the Messiah; and they intended, therefore, to insinuate that such a person could not be the Christ. The people were persuaded of it, and it would not have done to have attacked their opinions openly, but they attempted to gain the same point by sly insinuations. Error is always subtle, and often puts on the appearance of calm and honest inquiry. Well had he compared them to leaven, Mt 16:11,12. The multitude, seeing Jesus coming down, left the scribes, and ran to meet him, (Mark.) They were amazed, probably because they had not expected to see him there. In their joy at meeting him in this unexpected manner, they saluted him, (Mark;) i.e., they probably prostrated themselves before him, after the manner of salutation in eastern countries. Lk 10:4. Jesus, seeing the scribes and their artful design, reproved them by asking them why they questioned thus with his disciples? Mk 9:16. Conscious of their guilt and their base purpose, they returned no answer.

A certain man kneeling down to him. That is, saluting him, or showing high regard for him. Lk 10:4. It did not imply religious homage, but merely high respect and earnest entreaty.

(p) "And when" Mk 9:14, Lk 9:37

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 14 When they were come to the multitude - It appears that a congregation had been collected during our Lord's stay on the mount: how great must have been the desire of these people to hear the words of Christ! The assembly is self-collected, and no delay on the preacher's side discourages them - they continue to wait for him. In the present day how rare is this zeal! How few by the most pathetic invitation can be brought together, even at the most convenient times, to hear the same doctrines, and to get their souls healed by the same wonder-working Christ! Kneeling down to him - Or falling at his knees, γονυπετων. The ancients consecrated the Ear to memory; the Forehead to genius; the Right Hand to faith; and the Knees to mercy: hence those who entreated favor fell at and touched the knees of the person whose kindness they supplicated. See Wakefield's Commentary; and see the note on Exo 9:29; where the subject is largely explained.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 17:14-21

The case of afflicted children should be presented to God by faithful and fervent prayer. Christ cured the child. Though the people were perverse, and Christ was provoked, yet care was taken of the child. When all other helps and succours fail, we are welcome to Christ, may trust in him, and in his power and goodness. See here an emblem of Christ's undertaking as our Redeemer. It encourages parents to bring children to Christ, whose souls are under Satan's power; he is able to heal them, and as willing as he is able. Not only bring them to Christ by prayer, but bring them to the word of Christ; to means by which Satan's strong-holds in the soul are beaten down. It is good for us to distrust ourselves and our own strength; but it is displeasing to Christ when we distrust any power derived from him, or granted by him. There was also something in the malady which rendered the cure difficult. The extraordinary power of Satan must not discourage our faith, but quicken us to more earnestness in praying to God for the increase of it. Do we wonder to see Satan's bodily possession of this young man from a child, when we see his spiritual possession of every son of Adam from the fall!

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 17:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΚαὶKaiAndG2532

ἐλθόντωνelthontōnwhen were comingG2064

πρὸςprostoG4314

τὸνtontheG3588

ὄχλονochloncrowdG3793

προσῆλθενprosēlthencameG4334

αὐτῷautōto HimG846

ἄνθρωποςanthrōposa manG444

γονυπετῶνgonupetōnkneeling downG1120

αὐτὸνauton[to] HimG846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 17:14

Mark 9:14-29
And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; …
Mark 1:40
And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Acts 10:25-26
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
Mark 10:17
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Luke 9:37-43
And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him. And, behold, a man of the company cried out, saying, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth again, and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. …
Matthew 17:14-19
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

when.
Mr 9:14-29; Lu 9:37-43
kneeling.
Mr 1:40; 10:17; Ac 10:25,26

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Matthew 17:13
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:14
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Matthew 17:15
Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

Read all of Matthew 17

Matthew 17:14 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y como ellos llegaron al gentío, vino á él un hombre hincándosele de rodillas,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et quand ils furent venus auprès de la foule, un homme s’approcha de lui, se jetant à genoux devant lui,
German Elberfelder 1871	Und als sie zu der Volksmenge kamen, trat ein Mensch zu ihm und fiel vor ihm auf die Knie
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et cum venisset ad turbam, accessit ad eum homo genibus provolutus ante eum, dicens: Domine, miserere filio meo, quia lunaticus est, et male patitur: nam sæpe cadit in ignem, et crebro in aquam.