They could not cure him. — This, then, would seem to have been the subject-matter of debate. The scribes were taunting the disciples, who had probably trusted to their use of the wonted formula of their Master’s name, and were now wrangling in their own defence. Neither scribes nor disciples had thought of gaining the spiritual power which might avail by the means which they both recognised as effective.
Related Commentaries of Matthew 17:16
Matthew 17:16
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.