EP 4 – The Deliverance of the Lunatic Boy
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The deliverance of the lunatick boy is recorded in: Mark 9:14-29; Matthew 17:14-20; or Luke 9:37-43. Below is the story as rendered in Matthew’s account:
“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.
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:14-20, KJV)
Previous Lessons Recap
In the deliverance of this boy, we again encounter the five deliverance lessons below that we have already discussed in depth in the earlier case studies of the Canaanite woman’s daughter and the demon-possessed man in the synagogue:
- Even Children Need Deliverance: Luke 9:38 – “Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child.” The Bible does not present children as exempt from spiritual attacks. The enemy targets families and future generations (Isaiah 49:25). Parents must not assume children are automatically free from spiritual bondage. Spiritual covering, prayer, and discernment are essential in the home.
- Deliverance Can Be Messy and Dramatic: Mark 9:18 – “And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away.” The manifestation was violent and disturbing. This reminds us that demonic oppression often reveals itself dramatically when confronted. We should not be shocked or afraid when deliverance appears intense. Freedom sometimes looks chaotic before it becomes peaceful.
- Faith Is Important in Deliverance: Mark 9:19 – “O faithless generation… bring him unto me.” Jesus highlighted unbelief as a major hindrance. Faith positions a person to receive deliverance. Doubt weakens spiritual authority. Faith must be cultivated through a relationship with God, not religious routine.
- Deliverance is a Ministry of Love and Compassion: Matthew 17:15 – “Lord, have mercy on my son.” The father cried out for mercy. Jesus was moved by compassion, not judgment. Deliverance must flow from love for people, not anger toward demons.
- Deliverance is Either Instant or Gradual: Matthew 17:18 – “And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.” The phrase ‘cured that very hour’ speaks of immediate freedom after Jesus came into the picture. But don’t forget that initially there was a delay and resistance because the disciples had been unable to deal with this case initially (Matthew 17:16). This war is called no retreat, no surrender. Refuse to give up until your Kairos divine moment of deliverance matches the chronos time.
Beyond the shared lessons above, the deliverance of the lunatick boy also reveals the SIX additional truths below:
Lesson One: Deliverance Is a Public Ministry of Engagement, Not Escapism
“And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.” (Luke 9:37) Jesus and His disciples were coming down from the mountain where they had just experienced deep spiritual encounters. Peter even suggested they remain there and build tents and stay there forever (Mark 9:5). He was suggesting staying in that ‘Christian Bubble’ of isolation to avoid going back to real-life issues. If Jesus agreed to live in that isolation, we would not be having this story of deliverance.
Most of us are like Peter because who wants to come down from the mountain to deal with scribes arguing, disciples confused, a desperate father, and a tormented boy. Instead of isolation, escapism, assumption, and running away, Jesus chose to come out of the place of comfort and go down into the places of conflict and confrontation.
Jesus offered real-life solutions to real-life issues. For example, in this instance, Jesus responded by silencing the scribes, comforting the father, healing the boy, and instructing the disciples. He did not escape human suffering.
Real Life Application:
- Deliverance ministry exists for broken people, not spiritual retreats.
- There is a place for private prayer and public ministry. Both are equally important.
- True spirituality moves from the prayer closet into human need. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Theodore Roosevelt
- Avoid hiding behind spiritual activities while ignoring people in pain.
Lesson Two: There Are Ranks and Levels of Demonic Powers
“And I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.” (Mark 9:18) The disciples had successfully cast out demons before in Luke 10:17, yet they failed here. This shows that not all demonic powers operate at the same level. Some are more stubborn, powerful, resistant, vicious, and wicked than others. For example, in this case, some factors point to the fact that the demon was more wicked, such as:
- Societal belief: Jewish exorcists believed mute demons were impossible to cast out because their names could not be learned.
- Astronomy priesthood: The word lunatick in Greek means affected by the moon, pointing to deep manipulation of the celestial bodies.
- Bondage of a child: Isaiah 49:24-26 describes that the kind that is able to inflict trans-generational bondages is terrible and mighty.
Other Scriptural Support for Ranks of Demonic Powers:
- Ephesians 6:12 – Paul lists demoniac hierarchy: principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places.
- Luke 11:24-26 – The demon returns with seven others more wicked than itself. The number seven represents completeness, suggesting multiple levels of wickedness that make the situation worse.
- Luke 10:19 – Jesus gave authority over two groups of satanic powers—serpents and scorpions—then said “all the power of the enemy,” indicating there are many other types.
- Mark 9:29 – The phrase “this kind” indicates there are different kinds of demons with varying levels of strength.
Real Life Application:
- Be well prepared for some demons are stronger and more resistant than others.
- There is no one size fits all approach to deliverance. 2+3 is 4 and also 2 +2 is 4 – be willing to learn and be flexible and led by the Holy Spirit.
- Do not quit when resistance increases. Persistence is part of warfare.
Lesson Three: Discernment Is Essential in Deliverance Ministry
“..ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water..” (Matthew 17:15) The boy displayed symptoms that today could be medically diagnosed as epilepsy. However, Jesus discerned a demonic cause. And this begs the question, in mental issues should we diagnosis or do deliverance intervention? The answer is we should do both for Jesus both healed (medical) and cast our devils. Medicine has its place and deliverance has its own too. Not every problem is a demon. Some conditions can also be:
- Curses that must be broken
- Flesh issues that require discipline
- Psychological or medical conditions
Other than in the diagnosis, Jesus demonstrated discernment where He addressed the demon as a separate being, showing clarity between the person and the spirit. Also, Jesus also discerned that the scribes were not seeking truth, so He did not engage in debates.
Real Life Application:
- Accurate discernment determines effective response. Match your enemies’ weapon. Don’t go to a gun fight with a machete.
- Desire the revelatory gifts of the Holy Spirit.
- Sharpen your spiritual senses of hearing, seeing, and knowing.
- Knowledge protects believers from misdirected warfare (Hosea 4:6).
Lesson Four: Failure Is Part of Deliverance Ministry
“And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not.” (Luke 9:40) Jesus does not fail BUT His followers can fail and this should remind us the need for:
- Continued Learning: For example, the disciples later asked Jesus why they could not cast the demon as seen in Matthew 17:19.
- Self-Awareness: Know your strengths and weaknesses and remember we have a high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). He is not looking for the perfect but the F.A.T (Faithful, Available & Teachable). Therefore, failure does not disqualify us, it instructs.
- The superiority of Jesus. Deliverance is not about personal power for its not by power or might but by the spirit of God (Zechariah 4:6). Therefore, stay connected to the source to overcome limitations (Acts 1:8; Psalm 91; John 15:5)
Lesson Five: Deliverance Flows from Intimacy with God, Not Formulas
“This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” (Mark 9:29) Prayer and fasting align our hearts with God’s heart of compassion as revealed in John 3:16 (His love for the lost), 1 John 3:8, and John 10:10 (His desire to destroy the works of the devil). Therefore, prayer and fasting match our spirit with God’s heart and demonstrate:
- Our identification with the afflicted – How can you understand someone’s hunger when you’ve never missed a meal? Fasting cultivates empathy for those in bondage.
- Awareness of spiritual resistance – The difficulty of fasting reminds us of the warfare others face as they struggle for freedom without being delivered.
- Dependence on God – It displays our faith in God alone, not our own abilities. It is a petition to heaven, tuning our hearts to heaven’s frequency.
- Willingness to sacrifice for freedom – It is a statement of self-denial for others, just as Jesus laid down everything for humanity’s sake.
Real Life Application:
- Cultivate a disciplined prayer life that goes beyond routine.
- Fast as led by the Holy Spirit, not out of legalism.
- Allow compassion to fuel your warfare, not pride or reputation.
- Spend time in God’s presence regularly to develop spiritual sensitivity and discernment.
- Study and meditate on Scripture to build your faith and understand God’s heart for the captives.
Lesson Six: Demons and Curses Are Not the Same
“And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.” (Mark 9:21) When Jesus asked how long the boy had suffered, the father answered, “from childhood.” This suggests the presence of a generational issue. This helps us understand why the disciples were unable to cast out the spirit (Mark 9:18). The problem was not only a demon. There was likely a generational curse giving the demon a legal right to stay even after being cast out.
A demon is a spiritual entity that can be cast out by authority in the name of Jesus. A curse, however, is a spiritual verdict. Demons do not usually initiate curses. Instead, they enforce them. A generational curse, it’s an edict or memo of punishment for a transgression of a law decreed by the courtroom of Heaven:
- On an individual: Cain was cursed by God after shedding innocent blood (Genesis 4:11–12).
- On a tribe or city: Meroz was cursed for refusing to help the Lord’s cause (Judges 5:23).
- On the land: Disobedience brought curses upon the land itself (Malachi 3:9; Deuteronomy 28:15–24).
- On a household: Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho (Joshua 6:26).
Other than generational curses, there are other types of curses, such as:
- Self-inflicted curses: Jephthah spoke words that eventually cost him deeply (Judges 11:30-35).
- Parental curses: Reuben lost his birthright because of his actions and his father’s pronouncement (Genesis 49:3-4).
What makes a generational curse worse is the fact that it originates in the courtroom of heaven and is enforced over bloodlines until they are addressed spiritually. This explains why, at times, a person may undergo deliverance, yet the problem keeps returning. The demon may be cast out, but the legal ground remains. As long as the curse is still active, demons have the right to return and continue their work.
Curses must be addressed through repentance, prayer, fasting, and judicial intercession, appealing to God’s mercy and redemption. This is why Jesus said, “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29). This means you must learn how to do the judicial kind of prayers where you plead your case in the courtroom of Heaven, as Jesus taught in Luke 18.
We see a powerful example of this principle in Abraham’s life. Abraham is the first person in Scripture called a prophet, not because he foretold the future, but because he was instructed to intercede. God told Abimelech that Abraham would pray for him so that the curse on his household could be lifted (Genesis 20:7, 17-18). This was judicial intercession, not deliverance by command.
Real Life Application:
- Not every bondage is solved by casting out a demon. Some situations require addressing the spiritual root through repentance, prayer, fasting, and intercession before God.
- Learn to distinguish between demonic oppression and covenantal or generational curses.
- Do not be discouraged when deliverance seems incomplete. Seek God for deeper insight into the root issue.
- Engage in prayer and fasting when dealing with long-standing, repetitive, or family-pattern problems.
- Understand spiritual protocols so that your warfare is effective, not frustrating.
NOTE: A full teaching series on curses will follow later. For further study on generational curses, I recommend The Secrets to Generational Curses: Break the Stronghold in the Bloodline by Alexander Pagani.
Conclusion
The deliverance of the lunatick boy shows us that deliverance ministry is real, demanding, and deeply relational. It also shows us how deliverance ministry operates in real life, not in isolation, but in the middle of human pain, confusion, and failure. For this reason, the deliverance ministry requires faith, discernment, preparation, humility, and total dependence on Jesus.
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