Grace and Space

Lk 9:43b-45

Conquered evil: The second prediction of the passion concludes the account of the healing of the boy with a demon (9:37-43) and functions as a theological statement by Luke.
By attaching the second prediction of the passion to the healing narrative, Luke is asking the reader to make a connection between the passion of Jesus (no mention is made of the resurrection) and the healing. Power over evil is a result of the passion of Jesus, according to Luke.
Since at this point in the Gospel, there has not yet been the passion, the disciples do not understand what Jesus is talking about. The meaning of Jesus’ passion is hidden from them, but it is not hidden from the reader. Jesus’ overall mission—preaching, healing, suffering, death, resurrection—is crystallized in the healing of the boy. Through his suffering, death, and resurrection, Jesus has conquered the power of evil.