Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Luke 9:42
And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tore [him.] And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.
42. rebuked the unclean spirit ] See the fuller details and the memorable cry of the poor father in Mar 9:21-24. The child had been rendered deaf and dumb by his possession; in the last paroxysm he wallowed on the ground foaming, and then lay as dead till Jesus raised him by the hand. Interesting parallels to these strange and horrible paroxysms in a condition which may well be ascribed to demoniac possession may be found in a paper on Demoniacs by Mr Caldwell, Contemp. Rev., Feb., 1876. The boy’s ‘possession’ seems on its natural side to have been the deadliest and intensest form of epileptic lunacy which our Lord had ever healed, and one far beyond the power of the real or pretended Jewish exorcisms. Hence the words of Jesus were peculiarly emphatic, Mar 9:25.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 42. The devil threw him down, and tare him.] See this case considered at large, on Mt 17:15-18, and on Mr 9:14-27.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And as he was yet a coming,…. Whilst he was in the way bringing to Jesus, before he came to him:
the devil threw him down, and tare him; knowing who Jesus was, and that he was able to dispossess him: and having reason to believe he would, was resolved to do all the mischief he could, and give him all the pain add distress he was able, whilst he was in him; and therefore threw him to the ground, and convulsed him in a terrible manner at the same time:
and Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit; for his malice and cruelty, and ordered him to depart:
and healed the child; by dispossessing the spirit:
and delivered him again to his father; free from the possession, and in perfect health, and which must be very pleasing and acceptable to him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
As he was yet a coming ( ). Genitive absolute. While he was yet coming (the boy, that is, not Jesus). Note quaint English “a coming” retained in the Revised Version.
Dashed him ( ). First aorist active indicative of or , to rend or convulse, a common verb, used sometimes of boxers giving knockout blows.
Tare grievously (). Rare word as only here and Mr 9:20 in the N.T., which see.
Gave him back to his father ( ). Tender touch alone in Luke as in 7:15.
They were all astonished ( ). Imperfect passive of the common verb or , to strike out, a picturesque description of the amazement of all at the easy victory of Jesus where the nine disciples had failed.
At the majesty of God ( ). A late word from the adjective and that from (great). In the N.T. only here and Ac 19:27 of Artemis and in 2Pe 1:16 of the Transfiguration. It came to be used by the emperors like our word “Majesty.”
Which he did ( ). This is one of the numerous poor verse divisions. This sentence has nothing to do with the first part of the verse. The imperfect active covers a good deal not told by Luke (see Mark 9:30; Matt 17:22). Note the attraction of the relative
hois into the case of
psin , its antecedent.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Threw him down [] . See on teareth, Mr 9:18.
Tare [] . Only here in New Testament. Convulse, which is the exact Latin equivalent, would, perhaps, be the nearest rendering. Sparagmov, a kindred noun, is the word for a cramp.
43 – 45. Compare Mt 17:22, 23; Mr 9:30 – 32.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And as he was yet a coming,” (eti de proserchomenou autou) “Then while he was still approaching,” as occurred also, Luk 8:49; Mar 9:20.
2) “The devil threw him down, and tare him.” (erreksen auton to daimonion kai sunesparaksen) “The demon threw him down violently and tore him,” in a bloody manner, Mar 9:20, as a final act of abuse before being driven out of the young man. It was an impudent demon, daring and testing Jesus Christ.
3) “And Jesus , rebuked the unclean spirit,” (epetimeses de ho lesous to pneumati to akatharto) “Then Jesus rebuked the unclean (deranged) spirit,” also called “a devil” or demon, Mat 17:18. He charged, ordered, or commanded him to come out of the boy, Mar 9:25.
4) “And healed the child,” (kai easato ton paida) “And he cured the boy,” the lad of a boy, Mat 17:18, as the demon “departed out of him and he was cured that very hour,” instantaneously, Mar 9:26.
5) “And delivered him again to his father.” (kai apedoken auton to patri autou) “And he restored him to his father,” gave him to his father, from the control of the demon, as described at length Mar 9:21-27. It is a tender and compassionate story of our Lord’s restoration to life and sanity of a father’s only son.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
‘And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tore him grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.’
The father’s description of his son’s problems were clearly revealed as correct when he sought to bring his son to Jesus. The evil spirit dashed him down and tore him dreadfully. It may be that it was aware that it was about to be faced up to One Whose authority it could not reject and was reluctant to meet up with Him. But Jesus would have none of it. He rebuked the unclean spirit, which had no alternative but immediately to depart. Then having healed the boy Jesus gave him back to his father.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Luk 9:42 . , while the boy was approaching Jesus, in accordance with His request that he should be brought to Him, the demon made a final assault on his victim, rending and convulsing him.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
a coming = coming near.
devil = demon. A spirit, Luk 9:39.
threw = dashed.
tare = completely convulsed. Greek. susparasso. Occurs only here in N.T.
child. Greek. pais. App-108. Not the same word as in Luk 9:47.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the devil: Luk 9:39, Mar 1:26, Mar 1:27, Mar 9:20, Mar 9:26, Mar 9:27, Rev 12:12
and delivered: Luk 7:15, 1Ki 17:23, 2Ki 4:36, Act 9:41
Reciprocal: Gen 19:14 – Up Zec 3:2 – The Lord rebuke Mat 17:18 – rebuked Mar 5:2 – with Mar 9:25 – he rebuked Luk 4:35 – thrown Luk 8:29 – caught Act 10:38 – healing 2Co 12:21 – that I
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2
This devil is the same spirit mentioned in verse 39 and so termed in this. It had supernatural power and tare the boy. The original word for this and also in verse 39, means he was thrown into convulsions. It was an affliction, hence the Lord rebuked the unclean spirit, not the lad.