Matthew17
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:
2and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
3And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.
4And Peter answered, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, I will make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
5While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7And Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, save Jesus only.
9And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.
10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?
11And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:
12but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.
13Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
14And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, and saying,
15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft-times into the water.
16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him hither to me.
18And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour.
19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?
20And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: 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
22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men;
23and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were exceeding sorry.
24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel?
25He saith, Yea. And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers?
26And when he said, From strangers, Jesus said unto him, Therefore the sons are free.
27But, lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a shekel: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 17.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: 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).
vv1-13
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.
vv14-21
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!
vv22-23
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.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετά (metá): properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 (ἀπό) or G1537 (ἐκ) and G1519 (εἰς) or G4314 (πρός); less intimate than G1722 (ἐν) and less close than G4862 (σύν))
ἕξ (héx): six
ἡμέρα (hēméra): day, i.e. (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the Jews as inclusive of the parts of both extremes); figuratively, a period (always defined more or less clearly by the context)
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
παραλαμβάνω (paralambánō): to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
Πέτρος (Pétros): a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle
Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos): Jacobus, the name of three Israelites
Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs): Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites
αὐτός (autós): the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Matthew 17The Old Testament law prescribing the annual half-shekel temple tax paid by every adult male Jew.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Luke's parallel account of the Transfiguration, detailing Jesus praying and the topic of His departure.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Mark's parallel account of the Transfiguration and the subsequent discussion concerning Elias.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Moses' face shining after speaking with God typifies and contrasts with Christ's intrinsic transfiguration glory.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Father's command, 'hear ye him,' fulfills Moses' prophecy of the Prophet to be raised up.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Peter's eyewitness testimony of Christ's majesty and the voice of the Father on the holy mount.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The prophecy of Elijah's return, which Jesus explains was fulfilled spiritually in John the Baptist.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jesus' explicit earlier identification of John the Baptist as the Elias who was to come.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Mark's expanded parallel narrative of the healing of the lunatic boy and the disciples' failure.
Supported by JFB
The first explicit prediction of Christ's death and resurrection, preceding this second announcement.
Supported by JFB
The same inner circle—Peter, James, and John—witnessed both Christ's glory and His Gethsemane agony.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Daniel falling on his face in terror upon seeing heavenly visions, requiring a strengthening touch.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Historical precedent for collecting the religious collection of Moses for the temple service.
Supported by JFB
The theological paradox of Christ's voluntary poverty and submission despite his infinite riches and ownership.
Supported by Matthew Henry