Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

1 ¹Six days later Jesus took with Him ²Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

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

3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, ³I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, ⁴a voice out of the cloud said, "⁵This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.

7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and ⁶do not be afraid."

8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

9 ⁷As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "⁸Tell the vision to no one until ⁹the Son of Man has ¹⁰risen from the dead."

10 And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that ¹¹Elijah must come first?"

11 And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things;

12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also ¹²the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."

13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

The Demoniac

14 ¹³When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying,

15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a ¹⁴lunatic and is very ill *; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.

16 "I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him."

17 And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long * shall I be with you? How long * shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."

18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once *.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately * and said, "Why * could we not drive it out?"

20 And He said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, ¹⁵if you have faith the size of ¹⁶a mustard seed, you will say to ¹⁷this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and ¹⁸nothing will be impossible to you.

21 [ "¹⁹But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."]

22 ²⁰And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men;

23 and ²¹they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved.

The Tribute Money

24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected ²²the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay ²³the two-drachma tax?"

25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect ²⁴customs or ²⁵poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?"

26 When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt.

27 "However, so * that we do not ²⁶offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me."

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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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 26

1. Matthew 17:1-8: {Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36}
2. Matthew 26:37; Mark 5:37; Mark 13:3
3. Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33
4. Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22; 2 Peter 1:17
5. Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 3:17; Matthew 12:18
6. Matthew 14:27
7. Matthew 17:9-13: {Mark 9:9-13}
8. Matthew 8:4
9. Matthew 8:20; Matthew 17:12, 22
10. Matthew 16:21
11. Malachi 4:5; Matthew 11:14; Matthew 16:14
12. Matthew 8:20; Matthew 17:9, 22
13. Matthew 17:14-19: {Mark 9:14-28;} Matthew 17:14-18: {Luke 9:37-42}
14. Matthew 4:24
15. Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23; Luke 17:6
16. Matthew 13:31; Luke 17:6
17. Matthew 17:9; 1 Corinthians 13:2
18. Mark 9:23; John 11:40
19. Mark 9:29
20. Matthew 17:22, 23: {Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44, 45}
21. Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:9
22. Exodus 30:13; Exodus 38:26
23. Exodus 30:13; Exodus 38:26
24. Romans 13:7
25. Matthew 22:17, 19
26. Matthew 5:29, 30; Matthew 18:6, 8, 9; Mark 9:42, 43, 45, 47; Luke 17:2; John 6:61; 1 Corinthians 8:13