How come Gehazi couldn't bring the boy back to life?

[TheMike0012]

In 2 Kings 4:31. Shortly afterward, Elisha was able to bring him back.

Seeing as how Elisha sent him ahead of himself, it would seem that he was capable, or, at least, that Elisha was confident that he could do it.

It seems similar to the gospels when Jesus’ disciples couldn’t exorcise a demon, so he did it himself, after saying: “O unbelieving and perverse generation”. Could it be similar, or is it something else?

 

[CRV]

George Haydock’s Catholic Bible Commentary

The child is not risen. By the staff of Eliseus is represented the rod of Moses, or the old law, which was incapable of restoring life to mankind, then dead by sin. It was necessary that Christ himself should come in our flesh, to restore us to life again. In this, Eliseus, as a figure of Christ, behoved to go in person to restore the dead child to life. (Challoner) — St. Augustine (contra Faust. xii. 35.) shews that many like things recorded in the Old Testament are figures of the New. (Worthington) — Many of the fathers observe, that this miracle was intended to shew the necessity of the Incarnation to redeem lost man. The staff did not therefore restore life. Some lay the blame on Giezi; others on the woman, who required the prophet to come in person; and others suppose that Eliseus followed herein his own spirit. But all this is destitute of proof. (Calmet) — He might alter his mind (Tirinus) at the request of the woman, and to imitate Elias; (3 Kings xvii. 21.) all by God’s direction. (Haydock) — He had before trusted that God would perform the miracle by means of the staff, as he did formerly by the rod of Moses, or by the mantle of Elias. (Menochius)

 

[EndTimes]

It seems similar to the gospels when Jesus’ disciples couldn’t exorcise a demon, so he did it himself, after saying: “O unbelieving and perverse generation”. Could it be similar, or is it something else?

Unsure… In the case of Jesus - He appears to be speaking of a lack of Faith…

 

[Dan_Defender]

It could be that Elisha himself was at fault in supposing he could transfer the spirit and power of a prophet to his servant; and acted in over-haste without a Divine incentive.