Matthew 17:14-20
Epileptic ( σεληνιαζετα ). Literally, "moonstruck," "lunatic." The symptoms of epilepsy were supposed to be aggravated by the changes of the moon (cf. 4:24).He has it bad ( κακως εχε ) as often in the Synoptic Gospels.
Perverse ( διεστραμμενη ). Distorted, twisted in two, corrupt. Perfect passive participle of διαστρεφω.
Little faith ( ολιγοπιστιαν ). A good translation. It was less than "a grain of mustard seed" ( κοκκον σιναπεως ). See 13:31 for this phrase. They had no miracle faith. Bruce holds "this mountain" to be the Mount of Transfiguration to which Jesus pointed. Probably so. But it is a parable. Our trouble is always with "this mountain" which confronts our path. Note the form μεταβα ( μετα and βηθ ).
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