Mateo 17

1 Seis días después, Jesús tomó<***> consigo a Pedro, a Jacobo y a Juan su hermano, y los llevó<***> aparte a un monte alto;

2 y se transfiguró delante de ellos; y su rostro resplandeció como el sol, y sus vestiduras se volvieron blancas como la luz.

3 Y he aquí, se les aparecieron Moisés y Elías hablando con El.

4 Entonces Pedro, tomando la palabra, dijo a Jesús: Señor, bueno es estarnos aquí; si quieres, haré aquí tres enramadas, una para ti, otra para Moisés y otra para Elías.

5 Mientras estaba aún hablando, he aquí, una nube luminosa los cubrió; y una voz salió de la nube, diciendo: Este es mi Hijo amado en quien me he complacido; a El oíd.

6 Cuando los discípulos oyeron esto, cayeron sobre sus rostros y tuvieron gran temor.

7 Entonces se les acercó Jesús, y tocándolos, dijo: Levantaos y no temáis.

8 Y cuando alzaron sus ojos no vieron a nadie, sino a Jesús solo.

9 Mientras descendían del monte, Jesús les ordenó, diciendo: No contéis a nadie la visión hasta que el Hijo del Hombre haya resucitado de entre los muertos.

10 Y sus discípulos le preguntaron, diciendo: ¿Por qué, pues, dicen los escribas que Elías debe venir primero?

11 Y respondiendo El, dijo: Elías ciertamente viene, y restaurará todas las cosas;

12 pero yo os digo que Elías ya vino y no lo reconocieron, sino que le hicieron todo lo que quisieron. Así también el Hijo del Hombre va a padecer a manos de ellos.

13 Entonces los discípulos entendieron que les había hablado de Juan el Bautista.

14 Cuando llegaron a la multitud, se le acercó un hombre, que arrodillándose delante de El, dijo:

15 Señor, ten misericordia de mi hijo, porque es epiléptico y sufre terriblemente, porque muchas veces cae en el fuego y muchas en el agua.

16 Y lo traje a tus discípulos y ellos no pudieron curarlo.

17 Respondiendo Jesús, dijo: ¡Oh generación incrédula y perversa! ¿Hasta cuándo estaré con vosotros? ¿Hasta cuándo os tendré que soportar? Traédmelo acá.

18 Y Jesús lo reprendió y el demonio salió de él, y el muchacho quedó curado desde aquel momento.

19 Entonces los discípulos, llegándose a Jesús en privado, dijeron: ¿Por qué nosotros no pudimos expulsarlo?

20 Y El les dijo<***>: Por vuestra poca fe; porque en verdad os digo que si tenéis fe como un grano de mostaza, diréis a este monte: "Pásate de aquí allá", y se pasará; y nada os será imposible.

21 Pero esta clase no sale sino con oración y ayuno.

22 Mientras andaban juntos por Galilea, Jesús les dijo: El Hijo del Hombre va a ser entregado en manos de los hombres.

23 Y le matarán, y al tercer día resucitará. Y ellos se entristecieron mucho.

24 Cuando llegaron a Capernaúm, se acercaron a Pedro los que cobraban el impuesto de dos dracmas y dijeron: ¿No paga vuestro maestro las dos dracmas?

25 El dijo<***>: Sí. Y cuando él llegó a casa, Jesús se le anticipó, diciendo: ¿Qué te parece, Simón? ¿De quiénes cobran tributos o impuestos los reyes de la tierra, de sus hijos o de los extraños?

26 Y cuando respondió: De los extraños, Jesús le dijo: Entonces los hijos están exentos.

27 Sin embargo, para que no los escandalicemos, ve al mar, echa el anzuelo, y toma el primer pez que salga; y cuando le abras la boca hallarás un estáter ; tómalo y dáselo por ti y por mí.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. O, Santiago
• [b]. Impuesto para sostener el templo, equivalente a dos denarios, o sea dos das de sueldo
• [c]. O, siclo; i.e., moneda equivalente a cuatro dracmas