Eastern Epilepsy and Mania
Matthew 17:14-21
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,…


In Sidon there are cases of epileptic fits which, in external manifestation, closely resemble that mentioned in this verse. These fits have seized a young man in my house repeatedly; "And, lo! the spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out, and foameth at the mouth, and gnasheth with his teeth," and is east down wherever he may be seized, and pineth away until you would think he was actually dead. Matthew calls him a lunatic, but, according to Mark, it was a dumb spirit. And there are cases in which the disease referred to accompanies, and in others it obviously occasions, dumbness. I will not say that such unfortunate creatures are tormented by an evil spirit, but I am sure that no cavilling sceptic can prove that they are not.

(Dr. Thomson.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

WEB: When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying,




Christ's Life Made Up of Contrasts
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