17:21

There is a textual issue here. The best Greek manuscripts do not have the words in 17:21. Most English versions do not include these words in the text. They include this verse only as a footnote. This verse was probably added later to make this story in the book of Matthew be like the story in the book of Mark.

It is good to include this verse only as a footnote, as many English versions do. Here is an example footnote:

Only some of the later Greek manuscripts include 17:21, which says: “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

(See below for help in translating this verse.)

If the major language version in your area includes this verse in the text, you may want to include it in brackets. For example:

[But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”] (New American Standard Bible)

If you put 17:21 in a footnote, here are several ways to number the verses:

• At the beginning of 17:20, put the verse numbers 20–21. Put the footnote marker at the end. For example:

20–21Jesus replied: (Contemporary English Version)

It is because you don’t have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you. ‡

• Put in the number 21 after the last word of 17:20, and have the footnote marker after it. For example:

20Jesus answered, “Because your faith is too small. I tell you the truth, if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. All things will be possible for you.” 21‡ (New Century Version)

• Do not include verse number 21. Put the footnote marker after verse 20. For example:

20He told them, “Because you have so little faith. I can guarantee this truth: If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ‡ (God’s Word)

(New American Standard Bible) But this kind: The phrase this kind refers to “this kind of demon.” For example, the God’s Word footnote says:

However, this kind ⌊of demon⌋ (God’s Word)

(New American Standard Bible) does not go out: These words refer to “casting out” the demon. For example, the Contemporary English Version footnote says:

to force out (Contemporary English Version)

(New American Standard Bible) except by prayer and fasting: These words means that “only prayer and fasting” will force that type of demon out of a person. For example, the New Century Version footnote says:

only if you use prayer and give up eating (New Century Version)

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