Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

2 He was transformed^[a] in front of them, and His face shone like the sun. Even His clothes became as white as the light.

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

4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it's good for us to be here! If You want, I will make^[b] three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered^[c] them, and a voice from the cloud^[d] said: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!

6 When the disciples heard it, they fell facedown and were terrified.

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

8 When they looked up they saw no one except Him^[e]-Jesus alone.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Don't tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised ^[f] from the dead."

10 So the disciples questioned Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

11 "Elijah is coming ^[g] and will restore everything," He replied.^[h]

12 "But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn't recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." ^[i]

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

The Power of Faith over a Demon

14 When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him.

15 "Lord," he said, "have mercy on my son, because he has seizures^[j] and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water.

16 I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn't heal him."

17 Jesus replied, "You unbelieving and rebellious ^[k] generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."

18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon,^[l] and it^[m] came out of him, and from that moment^[n] the boy was healed.

19 Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"

20 "Because of your little faith," He^[o] told them. "For I assure you: If you have faith the size of ^[p] a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. [

21 However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.]" ^[q]

The Second Prediction of His Death

22 As they were meeting^[r] in Galilee, Jesus told them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.

23 They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised up." And they were deeply distressed.

Paying the Temple Tax

24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the double-drachma tax^[s] approached Peter and said, "Doesn't your Teacher pay the double-drachma tax?"

25 "Yes," he said. When he went into the house, Jesus spoke to him first,^[t] "What do you think, Simon? Who do earthly kings collect tariffs or taxes from? From their sons or from strangers?" ^[u]

26 "From strangers," he said.^[v] "Then the sons are free," Jesus told him.

27 "But, so we won't offend them, go to the sea, cast in a fishhook, and catch the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth you'll find a coin. ^[w] Take it 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or transfigured
• [b]. Other mss read wish, let's make
• [c]. Or enveloped; Ex 40:34-35
• [d]. 2 Pt 1:16-18
• [e]. Other mss omit Him
• [f]. Other mss read Man has risen
• [g]. Other mss add first
• [h]. Other mss read Jesus said to them
• [i]. Lit suffer by them
• [j]. Lit he is moonstruck; thought to be a form of epilepsy
• [k]. Or corrupt, or perverted, or twisted; Dt 32:5
• [l]. Lit rebuked him or it
• [m]. Lit the demon
• [n]. Lit hour
• [o]. Other mss read your unbelief," Jesus
• [p]. Lit faith like
• [q]. Other mss omit bracketed text; Mk 9:29
• [r]. Other mss read were staying
• [s]. Jewish men paid this tax to support the temple; Ex 30:11-16. A double-drachma could purchase 2 sheep.
• [t]. Lit Jesus anticipated him by saying
• [u]. Or foreigners
• [v]. Other mss read Peter said to Him
• [w]. Gk stater, worth 2 double-drachmas