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
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, ​
2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. ​
3
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. ​
4
Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. ​
5
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. ​
6
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Discussion About Elijah

9
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. ​
10
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? ​
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And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
12
But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. ​
13
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Healing a Demon-Possessed Boy

14
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15
Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. ​
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And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. ​
18
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. ​
21
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. ​

Jesus Predicts His Death Again

22
And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: ​
23
And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

Paying the Temple Tax

24
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? ​
25
He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? ​
26
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27
Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee. ​

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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