Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

1 After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ¹

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

3 Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters ^[a]—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. ^[b] Listen to Him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.

7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.”

8 And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all things.

12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”

13 Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

The Boy with a Demon

14 When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him. ²

15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

16 I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

17 “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to Me.”

18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

The Power of Faith

19 Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” ³

20 “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” ^[c]

The Second Prediction of the Passion

22 When they gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. ⁴

23 They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved.

The Temple Tax

24 After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax ^[d] came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?”

25 “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”

26 “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.

27 “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. ^[e] Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.”

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.

Cross References

• 1. (Mark 9:1–13; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Peter 1:16–21)
• 2. (Mark 9:14–29; Luke 9:37–42)
• 3. (Luke 17:5–10)
• 4. (Mark 9:30–32; Luke 9:43–45)

Footnotes

• [a] Or three tabernacles
• [b] Cited in 2 Peter 1:17
• [c] BYZ and TR include 21 But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting; see Mark 9:29.
• [d] Greek the didrachma; twice in this verse
• [e] Greek a stater; that is, a silver coin worth approximately one shekel