But this kind of demon does not come out in any other way, except by prayer and fasting.”
With these words Jesus shows that overcoming certain evil spirits requires not only faith, but also deep spiritual preparation through prayer and fasting. Prayer, as a living connection with God, and fasting, as the restraint of bodily desires and the focusing of the soul, together strengthen the believer’s inner power. The phrase “But this kind of demon” refers to resistant, cunning, and deeply entrenched evil spirits that do not retreat before superficial faith. With this word Jesus reminds the disciples that true spiritual victories are born from a life of faith marked by deep, steadfast, genuine devotion.