Matthew 17NKJV
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Matthew17

New King James Version

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

2and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

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

4Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.

7But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

8When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

9Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.”

10And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.

12But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.”

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

14And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying,

15“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.

16So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

17Then 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 here to Me.”

18And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

20So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

21However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

22Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men,

23and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

24When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”

25He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”

26Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.

27Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Matthew 17.

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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

AndG2532Greek

καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

afterG3326Greek

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))

sixG1803Greek

ἕξ (héx): six

daysG2250Greek

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)

JesusG2424Greek

Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs): Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites

tookG3880Greek

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

PeterG4074Greek

Πέτρος (Pétros): a (piece of) rock (larger than G3037 (λίθος)); as a name, Petrus, an apostle

JamesG2385Greek

Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos): Jacobus, the name of three Israelites

JohnG2491Greek

Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs): Joannes (i.e. Jochanan), the name of four Israelites

hisG846Greek

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 17
v24Exodus 30:13thematic

The Old Testament law prescribing the annual half-shekel temple tax paid by every adult male Jew.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v1Luke 9:28-36thematic

Luke's parallel account of the Transfiguration, detailing Jesus praying and the topic of His departure.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Mark 9:2-13thematic

Mark's parallel account of the Transfiguration and the subsequent discussion concerning Elias.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Exodus 34:29-35typology

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

v52 Peter 1:16-18thematic

Peter's eyewitness testimony of Christ's majesty and the voice of the Father on the holy mount.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Malachi 4:5-6fulfillment

The prophecy of Elijah's return, which Jesus explains was fulfilled spiritually in John the Baptist.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v12Matthew 11:14thematic

Jesus' explicit earlier identification of John the Baptist as the Elias who was to come.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v14Mark 9:14-29thematic

Mark's expanded parallel narrative of the healing of the lunatic boy and the disciples' failure.

Supported by JFB

v22Matthew 16:21thematic

The first explicit prediction of Christ's death and resurrection, preceding this second announcement.

Supported by JFB

v1Matthew 26:37thematic

The same inner circle—Peter, James, and John—witnessed both Christ's glory and His Gethsemane agony.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v6Daniel 8:17-18thematic

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