The verse known as Matthew 17:21 presents a unique puzzle for modern Bible readers. Many contemporary translations, such as the ESV, NIV, and NASB, either omit this verse entirely or include it with a footnote explaining its absence from the earliest and most reliable manuscripts. This deep dive guide aims to explain why this verse is often “missing” and what that tells us about the transmission of Scripture. The question of why Matthew 17:21 is absent is not about theological controversy, but rather a fascinating journey into biblical textual criticism.
Unpacking the Textual History of Matthew 17:21
To understand the case of Matthew 17:21, we must first grasp the basics of biblical textual criticism. Since we do not possess the original autographs of the Bible, scholars rely on thousands of ancient manuscripts, fragments, and early church fathers’ writings to reconstruct the most accurate Greek and Hebrew texts. Over centuries of copying by hand, minor variations naturally occurred. Textual critics analyze these variants, weighing factors like manuscript age, geographical distribution, and stylistic consistency, to determine the most probable original wording.
In the case of Matthew 17, the disciples have just failed to cast out a demon from a boy, and Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith. In most ancient manuscripts, the passage concludes with Jesus stating, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). However, some later manuscripts add a verse after this, which reads, “But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.” This added phrase is the content of the problematic Matthew 17:21.
Why Modern Translations Omit Matthew 17:21
The primary reason modern translations omit Matthew 17:21 is the overwhelming evidence from the earliest and most authoritative Greek manuscripts. Manuscripts like Codex Vaticanus and Codex Sinaiticus, dating back to the 4th century, do not contain this verse. These manuscripts are generally considered by scholars to be among the most reliable witnesses to the New Testament text. The verse predominantly appears in later manuscripts, which exhibit a tendency towards harmonization—that is, scribes would sometimes add details from parallel passages in other Gospels to make a narrative more complete.
Indeed, a nearly identical statement, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer [and fasting],” is found in Mark 9:29. Textual scholars widely conclude that the inclusion of Matthew 17:21 in later manuscripts was likely a scribal addition, drawing from Mark’s account to enhance Matthew’s narrative or to incorporate a theological emphasis on prayer and fasting. While prayer and fasting are undoubtedly important biblical practices (Matthew 6:5-18), their inclusion here is generally not considered part of the original text of Matthew.
Theological Implications and Contextual Understanding
Does the absence of Matthew 17:21 diminish the importance of prayer and fasting? Not at all. The Bible is replete with teachings on these spiritual disciplines. Jesus himself practiced and taught prayer and fasting, and the apostles frequently emphasized their significance for spiritual power and discernment. Mark 9:29, which is widely accepted as original, clearly underscores the power of prayer (and in many manuscripts, fasting) in confronting particularly stubborn spiritual forces.
The story in Matthew 17 still powerfully conveys the need for faith (Matthew 17:20). The essence of the disciples’ failure wasn’t a lack of specific technique but a deficit of faith in God’s power. Jesus’ teaching focuses on the source of power—faith in God—which is expressed through dependence on Him, often manifested in practices like prayer. So, while Matthew 17:21 might not be an original part of Matthew’s Gospel, the theological truth it conveys regarding the efficacy of prayer and fasting remains central to Christian teaching, clearly attested elsewhere in Scripture. Read more about prayer or explore fasting in the Bible.
In summary, the case of Matthew 17:21 is a testament to the rigorous work of textual scholars who strive to present the most accurate rendering of God’s Word based on ancient evidence. Its absence from many modern Bibles reflects careful scholarship, not a disregard for the principles of prayer and fasting, which are amply taught throughout the rest of Scripture.