Mateo 17

1 La transfiguración
Seis días después, Jesús tomó a Pedro y a los dos hermanos, Santiago y Juan, y los llevó a una montaña alta para estar a solas.

2 Mientras los hombres observaban, la apariencia de Jesús se transformó a tal punto que la cara le brillaba como el sol y su ropa se volvió tan blanca como la luz.

3 De repente, aparecieron Moisés y Elías y comenzaron a conversar con Jesús.

4 Pedro exclamó: «Señor, ¡es maravilloso que estemos aquí! Si deseas, haré tres enramadas como recordatorios:
una para ti, una para Moisés y la otra para Elías».

5 No había terminado de hablar cuando una nube brillante los cubrió, y desde la nube una voz dijo: «Este es mi Hijo muy amado, quien me da gran gozo. Escúchenlo a él».

6 Los discípulos estaban aterrados y cayeron rostro en tierra.

7 Entonces Jesús se les acercó y los tocó.
—les dijo—,

8 Cuando levantaron la vista, Moisés y Elías habían desaparecido, y vieron sólo a Jesús.

9 Mientras descendían de la montaña, Jesús les ordenó:

10 Luego sus discípulos le preguntaron:
—¿Por qué los maestros de la ley religiosa insisten en que Elías debe regresar antes de que venga el Mesías?

11 Jesús contestó:

12 Pero les digo, Elías ya vino, pero no fue reconocido y ellos prefirieron maltratarlo. De la misma manera, también harán sufrir al Hijo del Hombre.

13 Entonces los discípulos se dieron cuenta de que hablaba de Juan el Bautista.

14 Jesús sana a un muchacho endemoniado
Al pie del monte, les esperaba una gran multitud. Un hombre vino y se arrodilló delante de Jesús y le dijo:

15 «Señor, ten misericordia de mi hijo. Le dan ataques y sufre terriblemente. A menudo cae al fuego o al agua.

16 Así que lo llevé a tus discípulos, pero no pudieron sanarlo».

17 Jesús dijo:

18 Entonces Jesús reprendió al demonio, y el demonio salió del joven. A partir de ese momento, el muchacho estuvo bien.

19 Más tarde, los discípulos le preguntaron a Jesús en privado:
—¿Por qué nosotros no pudimos expulsar el demonio?

20 —les dijo Jesús—.

21

22 Jesús predice otra vez su muerte
Luego, cuando volvieron a reunirse en Galilea, Jesús les dijo:

23 Y los discípulos se llenaron de profundo dolor.

24 El pago del impuesto del templo
Cuando llegaron a Capernaúm, los cobradores del impuesto
del templo se acercaron a Pedro y le preguntaron:
—¿Tu maestro no paga el impuesto del templo?

25 —Sí, lo paga —contestó Pedro.
Luego entró en la casa, pero antes de tener oportunidad de hablar, Jesús le preguntó:

26 —Se los cobran a los que han conquistado —contestó Pedro.
—dijo Jesús—,

27 Sin embargo, no queremos que se ofendan, así que desciende al lago y echa el anzuelo. Abre la boca del primer pez que saques y allí encontrarás una gran moneda de plata.
Tómala y paga mi impuesto y el tuyo.

Mateo 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.