9:37–43a Luke’s story of the exorcism and healing of the epileptic boy is taken from Mark 9:14–27. Luke has abbreviated and refined the story in such a way that it ties in more closely with the transfiguration episode and contributes in a general way to the overriding question of Luke 9 concerning the identity of Jesus. Having just descended from the mountain, Jesus has the opportunity to define his messiahship in terms of ministry to the sick and needy.

The man in the crowd who called out in desperation reminds us of Jairus (8:40–42), while the fact his afflicted son is his only child reminds us of the widow of Nain (7:11–17). According to the description, the boy was an epileptic, although the cause of the condition is attributed to a spirit (v. 39) and, later, an evil spirit (v. 42; li…