Matthew17

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John on a high mountain, where Moses and Elias appear, and a voice from heaven declares Him God's beloved Son. Afterward, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy, rebuking His disciples for their unbelief and emphasizing prayer and fasting. He then foretells His death and resurrection and miraculously provides money for the temple tribute through Peter.
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The Transfiguration of Jesus

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. ​
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—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. 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.

Discussion About Elijah

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.

Healing a Demon-Possessed Boy

14
When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus and knelt before Him.
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.
19
Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
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.” ​
21
Not present in the manuscripts this translation follows.

Jesus Predicts His Death Again

22
When they gathered together in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men. ​
23
They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life.” And the disciples were deeply grieved.

Paying the Temple Tax

24
After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax 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 declared.
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. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.” ​

Study Notes for Matthew 17

Verse 1

The selection of Peter, James, and John marks them as the inner circle, often present at key events. The 'high mountain' symbolizes a place of divine revelation (cf. Moses on Sinai).

Verse 2

This event is a proleptic (anticipatory) glimpse of Christ's future glory in the Kingdom, confirming his divine identity before the coming suffering.

Verse 3

Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets. Their appearance validates Jesus as the fulfillment and culmination of the entire Old Testament revelation.

Verse 4

Peter’s suggestion to build tabernacles (tents) seeks to preserve the moment of glory, indicating his desire to remain in the presence of the divine rather than return to ministry and suffering.

Verse 5

The voice repeats the declaration from Jesus' baptism (3:17), confirming his messianic status, but adds the crucial command, 'hear ye him,' establishing Jesus' authority above the Law and Prophets.

Verse 9

Jesus commands silence until after the resurrection because the disciples would not fully understand the nature of the suffering Messiah until his victory over death was complete.

Verse 10

The disciples recall the prophecy (Malachi 4:5) that Elijah must return before the Messiah's great day, attempting to reconcile this vision with current prophetic expectations.

Verse 12

Jesus clarifies that the prophecy of Elijah's return was fulfilled in John the Baptist, whose rejection and suffering foreshadowed Jesus' own impending rejection and suffering.

Verse 15

The term 'lunatick' (Gr. *selēniazomai*, 'moonstruck') was used for epilepsy or seizure disorders, but Matthew attributes the condition directly to demonic possession (v. 18).

Verse 17

Jesus' frustration is directed not just at the crowd, but specifically at the disciples’ inability to perform the healing despite the authority previously granted to them (10:1).

Verse 20

Jesus emphasizes that the failure was due to a lack of faith, contrasting the power of genuine faith (even small, like a mustard seed) with their current spiritual impotence.

Verse 21

This verse, absent in some early manuscripts, highlights the traditional understanding that certain powerful spiritual battles require focused spiritual discipline beyond simple command.

Verse 22

This is the second major prediction of his passion (cf. 16:21), occurring immediately after the glorious Transfiguration, reinforcing that suffering is a necessary prerequisite to glory.

Verse 24

The 'tribute money' (*didrachma*) was the annual half-shekel Temple tax required of every Jewish male aged 20 and over for the upkeep of the Jerusalem Temple (Exod. 30:11–16).

Verse 25

Jesus uses the analogy of earthly kings to establish his divine sonship. Since kings do not tax their own sons, Jesus is inherently exempt from the Temple tax, being the Son of God.

Verse 27

Jesus pays the tax to avoid causing offense (*skandalon*) or undermining the ministry, demonstrating submission to human custom while simultaneously performing a miracle to provide the funds.

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