17:18a

Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy: It is only at this point in the story that we clearly see that a demon was causing the epilepsy in 17:15b. The demon was in the boy. Jesus rebuked this demon and caused it to leave the boy.

In some languages, it may be necessary to include some implied information here. For example:

Jesus rebuked the demon ⌊who was causing the epilepsy⌋, and it came out of the boy.
-or-
There was a demon in the boy ⌊making him shake⌋. Jesus ordered the demon to leave, and it left.

rebuked: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rebuked means “commanded,” “ordered,” or “spoke sternly” to the demon.

For example:

commanded (New Century Version)
-or-
ordered (God’s Word)

the demon: The word demon refers to a spirit being who was once an angel, but who rebelled against God. A demon is also referred to as “evil spirit.” These evil spirits can control peoples’ actions and can make them sick. A demon is not the spirit of a dead person.

Here are some other ways to translate demon:

• Use a general term in your language that refers to a spirit that is evil and can control people. For example:

a demon
-or-
a devil

• Use a specific term in your language that refers to a certain type of spirit. Do not use a term that refers to the spirit of a dead person.

• Use a descriptive phrase. For example:

an evil spirit

This word also occurs at 11:18b.

it came out of the boy: The words came out refer to exiting from inside something else. It is like someone coming out of a house.

The Greek text does not indicate that anyone saw the demon come out of the boy. The effect on the boy showed that the demon came out.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

the demon went out of the boy
-or-
the demon exited the child

17:18b

and he was healed from that moment: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as from that moment indicates that the boy was healed immediately. There was no delay between the exiting of the demon and the healing.

Here is another way to translate this clause:

At that moment the boy was cured. (God’s Word)

This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

the boy was immediately cured

• Use another type of verb. For example:

right away, the boy became well

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