Matteo 17

1 E SEI giorni appresso, Gesù prese seco Pietro, e Giacomo, e Giovanni, suo fratello, e li condusse sopra un alto monte, in disparte.

2 E fu trasfigurato in lor presenza, e la sua faccia risplendè come il sole, e i suoi vestimenti divenner candidi come la luce.

3 Ed ecco, apparvero loro Mosè ed Elia, che ragionavano con lui.

4 E Pietro fece motto a Gesù, e gli disse: Signore, egli è bene che noi stiam qui; se tu vuoi, facciam qui tre tabernacoli; uno a te, uno a Mosè, ed uno ad Elia.

5 Mentre egli parlava ancora, ecco, una nuvola lucida li adombrò; ed ecco, una voce venne dalla nuvola, dicendo: Questo è il mio diletto Figliuolo, in cui ho preso il mio compiacimento; ascoltatelo.

6 E i discepoli, udito ciò, caddero sopra le lor facce, e temettero grandemente.

7 Ma Gesù, accostatosi, li toccò, e disse: Levatevi, e non temiate.

8 Ed essi, alzati gli occhi, non videro alcuno, se non Gesù tutto solo.

9 Poi, mentre scendevano dal monte, Gesù diede loro questo comandamento: Non dite la visione ad alcuno, finchè il Figliuol dell’uomo sia risuscitato dai morti.

10 E i suoi discepoli lo domandarono dicendo: Come adunque dicono gli Scribi che convien che prima venga Elia?

11 E Gesù, rispondendo, disse loro: Elia veramente deve prima venire, e ristabilire ogni cosa.

12 Ma io vi dico, che Elia è già venuto, ed essi non l’hanno riconosciuto, anzi hanno fatto inverso lui ciò che hanno voluto; così ancora il Figliuol dell’uomo sofferirà da loro.

13 Allora i discepoli intesero ch’egli avea loro detto ciò di Giovanni Battista.

14 E QUANDO furon venuti alla moltitudine, un uomo gli si accostò, inginocchiandosi davanti a lui,

15 e dicendo: Signore, abbi pietà del mio figliuolo, perciocchè egli è lunatico, e malamente tormentato; poichè spesso cade nel fuoco, e spesso nell’acqua.

16 Ed io l’ho presentato a’ tuoi discepoli, ma essi non l’hanno potuto guarire.

17 E Gesù, rispondendo, disse: Ahi! generazione incredula e perversa! infino a quando mai sarò con voi? infino a quando mai vi comporterò? conducetemelo qua.

18 E Gesù sgridò il demonio, ed egli uscì fuor di lui; e da quell’ora il fanciullo fu guarito.

19 Allora i discepoli, accostatisi a Gesù in disparte, dissero: Perchè non abbiam noi potuto cacciarlo?

20 E Gesù disse loro: Per la vostra incredulità; perciocchè io vi dico in verità, che se avete di fede quant’è un granel di senape, voi direte a questo monte: Passa di qui a là, ed esso vi passerà; e niente vi sarà impossibile.

21 Or questa generazione di demoni non esce fuori, se non per orazione, e per digiuno.

22 Ora, mentre essi conversavano nella Galilea, Gesù disse loro: Egli avverrà che il Figliuol dell’uomo sarà dato nelle mani degli uomini; ed essi l’uccideranno;

23 ma nel terzo giorno egli risusciterà. Ed essi ne furono grandemente contristati.

24 E QUANDO furon venuti in Capernaum, coloro che ricoglievano le didramme vennero a Pietro, e dissero: Il vostro Maestro non paga egli le didramme?

25 Egli disse: Sì. E quando egli fu entrato in casa, Gesù lo prevenne, dicendo: Che ti pare, Simone? da cui prendono i re della terra i tributi, o il censo? da’ figliuoli loro, o dagli stranieri?

26 Pietro gli disse: Dagli stranieri. Gesù gli disse: Dunque i figliuoli son franchi.

27 Ma, acciocchè noi non li scandalezziamo, vattene al mare, e getta l’amo, e togli il primo pesce che salirà fuori, ed aprigli la gola, e tu vi troverai uno statere; prendilo e dallo loro, per te, e per me.

Matteo 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

The transfiguration of Christ. (1-13) Jesus casts out a dumb and deaf spirit. (14-21) He again foretells his sufferings. (22,23) He works a miracle to pay the tribute money. (24-27)

Verses 1-13 Now the disciples beheld somewhat of Christ's glory, as of the only begotten of the Father. It was intended to support their faith, when they would have to witness his crucifixion; and would give them an idea of the glory prepared for them, when changed by his power and made like him. The apostles were overcome by the glorious sight. Peter thought that it was most desirable to continue there, and to go no more down to meet the sufferings of which he was so unwilling to hear. In this he knew not what he said. We are wrong, if we look for a heaven here upon earth. Whatever tabernacles we propose to make for ourselves in this world, we must always remember to ask Christ's leave. That sacrifice was not yet offered, without which the souls of sinful men could not have been saved; and important services were to be done by Peter and his brethren. While Peter spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, an emblem of the Divine presence and glory. Ever since man sinned, and heard God's voice in the garden, unusual appearances of God have been terrible to man. They fell prostrate to the earth, till Jesus encouraged them; when looking round, they beheld only their Lord as they commonly saw him. We must pass through varied experiences in our way to glory; and when we return to the world after an ordinance, it must be our care to take Christ with us, and then it may be our comfort that he is with us.

Verses 14-21 The case of afflicted children should be presented to God by faithful and fervent prayer. Christ cured the child. Though the people were perverse, and Christ was provoked, yet care was taken of the child. When all other helps and succours fail, we are welcome to Christ, may trust in him, and in his power and goodness. See here an emblem of Christ's undertaking as our Redeemer. It encourages parents to bring children to Christ, whose souls are under Satan's power; he is able to heal them, and as willing as he is able. Not only bring them to Christ by prayer, but bring them to the word of Christ; to means by which Satan's strong-holds in the soul are beaten down. It is good for us to distrust ourselves and our own strength; but it is displeasing to Christ when we distrust any power derived from him, or granted by him. There was also something in the malady which rendered the cure difficult. The extraordinary power of Satan must not discourage our faith, but quicken us to more earnestness in praying to God for the increase of it. Do we wonder to see Satan's bodily possession of this young man from a child, when we see his spiritual possession of every son of Adam from the fall!

Verses 22-23 Christ perfectly knew all things that should befall him, yet undertook the work of our redemption, which strongly shows his love. What outward debasement and Divine glory was the life of the Redeemer! And all his humiliation ended in his exaltation. Let us learn to endure the cross, to despise riches and worldly honours, and to be content with his will.

Verses 24-27 Peter felt sure that his Master was ready to do what was right. Christ spoke first to give him proof that no thought can be withholden from him. We must never decline our duty for fear of giving offence; but we must sometimes deny ourselves in our worldly interests, rather than give offence. However the money was lodged in the fish, He who knows all things alone could know it, and only almighty power could bring it to Peter's hook. The power and the poverty of Christ should be mentioned together. If called by providence to be poor, like our Lord, let us trust in his power, and our God shall supply all our need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. In the way of obedience, in the course, perhaps, of our usual calling, as he helped Peter, so he will help us. And if any sudden call should occur, which we are not prepared to meet, let us not apply to others, till we first seek Christ.