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.

The Transfiguration of Jesus

1
After six days, Yeshua took with him Peter, Jacob, and Yochanan his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. ​
2
He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. ​
3
Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. ​
4
Peter answered, and said to Yeshua, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ​
5
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” ​
6
When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
7
Yeshua came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
8
Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Yeshua alone.

Discussion About Elijah

9
As they were coming down from the mountain, Yeshua commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” ​
10
His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ​
11
Yeshua answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,
12
but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.” ​
13
Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of Yochanan the Immerser.

Healing a Demon-Possessed Boy

14
When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying,
15
“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. ​
16
So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
17
Yeshua answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.” ​
18
Yeshua rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
19
Then the disciples came to Yeshua privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
20
He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. ​
21
But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.” ​

Jesus Predicts His Death Again

22
While they were staying in Galilee, Yeshua said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men, ​
23
and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.

Paying the Temple Tax

24
When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your rabbi pay the didrachma?” ​
25
He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Yeshua anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?” ​
26
Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Yeshua said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
27
But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.” ​

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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