Matthew 17

1 After six days, Yeshua took with him Kefa, Ya`akov, and Yochanan, his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.

2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.

3 Behold, there appeared to them Moshe and Eliyah talking with him.

4 Kefa answered, and said to Yeshua, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let's make three tents here: one for you, one for Moshe, and one for Eliyah."

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."

6 When the talmidim heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.

7 Yeshua came and touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid."

8 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Yeshua alone.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Yeshua commanded them, saying, "Don't tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."

10 His talmidim asked him, saying, "Then why do the Sofrim say that Eliyah must come first?

11 Yeshua answered them, "Eliyah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,

12 but I tell you that Eliyah has come already, and they didn't recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so will the Son of Man also suffer by them."

13 Then the talmidim understood that he spoke to them of Yochanan the immerser.

14 When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling to him, saying,

15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.

16 So I brought him to your talmidim, and they could not cure him."

17 Yeshua answered, "Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me."

18 Yeshua rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.

19 Then the talmidim came to Yeshua privately, and said, "Why weren't we able to cast it out?"

20 He said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For most assuredly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.

21 But this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting."

22 While they were staying in the Galil, Yeshua said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,

23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up." They were exceedingly sorry.

24 When they had come to Kafar-Nachum, those who collected the didrachmas came to Kefa, and said, "Doesn't your teacher pay the didrachma?"

25 He said, "Yes." When he came into the house, Yeshua anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Shim`on? From whom do the kings of the eretz receive toll or tribute? From their sons, or from strangers?"

26 Kefa said to him, "From strangers." Yeshua said to him, "Therefore the sons are exempt.

27 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened his mouth, you will find a stater. Take that, and give it to them for me and you."

Matthew 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.