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Matthew 17 Jesus Transfigured on the Mountain

1 The Transfiguration
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 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, 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 he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.

7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.

12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”

13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

14 The Healing of a Boy With a Demon
When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.

15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. 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 shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed 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 filled with grief.

24 The Temple Tax
After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own sons or from others?”

26 “From others,” Peter answered.
“Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him.

27 “But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

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Analysis of Matthew Chapter 17

Matthew 17 is a crucial chapter in the New Testament, capturing key events and teachings of Jesus Christ. It contains some of the most powerful moments in the Gospel, including the Transfiguration, Jesus’ healing of a boy with a demon, and a discussion on faith and humility. Each verse of this chapter offers a rich tapestry of meaning and provides profound insights into the nature of Christ, the faith of the disciples, and the essence of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-13)

Matthew 17 begins with the account of the Transfiguration, a momentous event where Jesus’ divine nature is revealed to three of his closest disciples: Peter, James, and John.

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. – Matthew 17:1-3

This event holds significant theological importance. By taking Peter, James, and John to the mountaintop, Jesus provides them with an intimate glimpse of His divine glory. The radiant transformation (“His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light”) symbolizes the purity and holiness of Christ, while also foreshadowing His resurrection and second coming.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah represents the Law and the Prophets, respectively. This is crucial as it connects Jesus’ mission with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, indicating that He is the long-awaited Messiah. Moses, the giver of the Law, and Elijah, one of the greatest prophets, standing with Jesus, illustrates the unity of God’s plan of salvation through the ages.

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.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” – Matthew 17:4-5

Peter’s response, offering to build shelters, indicates his earnestness despite misunderstanding the full significance of the moment. His suggestion to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah equally is corrected by God the Father, who delivers a clear command: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” This divinely spoken affirmation emphasizes Jesus’ supreme authority and identity as the Son of God, surpassing the Law and the Prophets.

The disciples’ reaction (“fell facedown to the ground, terrified”) underscores the awe-inspiring power and holiness of God’s presence. Jesus’ comforting touch and words (“Get up. Don’t be afraid.”) not only calm their fears but also reveal His compassionate nature, reinforcing His role as Emmanuel, ‘God with us.’

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. – Matthew 17:9-13

Jesus’ instruction to keep the Transfiguration a secret until after His resurrection is vital. The disciples needed to fully witness His mission, including His suffering, death, and resurrection, to understand the Transfiguration’s true significance. Furthermore, Jesus clarifies the prophecy concerning Elijah, attributing this role to John the Baptist. John’s rejection and martyrdom serve as a parallel foreshadowing Jesus’ own impending suffering. This linkage deepens the continuity between Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in the New Testament.

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy (Matthew 17:14-21)

After descending the mountain, Jesus is met by a crowd and a desperate father who pleads for his son’s healing from a tormenting demon that the disciples failed to exorcise.

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” – Matthew 17:14-16

This passage highlights human desperation and the limitations of the disciples’ faith at this point. The father kneeling before Jesus and pleading for mercy showcases an act of faith and humility—an acknowledgment of Jesus as the ultimate source of healing and power.

“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment. – Matthew 17:17-18

Jesus’ stern rebuke of the “unbelieving and perverse generation” underscores His frustration with the lack of faith, not only among the general populace but also within His own disciples. His subsequent healing of the boy exhibits His divine authority and the immediacy of His power. Jesus’ ability to cast out the demon instantaneously reinforces His supremacy over all forces of evil.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” – Matthew 17:19-20

When the disciples question their failure, Jesus points to their lack of faith as the root cause. His metaphor of faith as small as a mustard seed becoming capable of moving mountains is profoundly instructive. It isn’t the size of the faith that matters but its genuineness and the disciples’ trust in God’s power. This teaching encourages believers to cultivate a deep, authentic faith capable of overcoming the seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time (Matthew 17:22-23)

When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief. – Matthew 17:22-23

Jesus’ second prediction of His death serves as a somber reminder of the imminent culmination of His earthly ministry. This acknowledgment of His forthcoming suffering and death juxtaposed with the promise of resurrection emphasizes the necessary path to redemption through sacrifice. The disciples’ grief highlights their still-limited understanding of the resurrection’s promise and glory.

The Temple Tax (Matthew 17:24-27)

The chapter concludes with an intriguing account of Jesus addressing the issue of the temple tax.

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” – Matthew 17:24-27

The temple tax was a levy for the maintenance of the Jewish temple. When tax collectors question Peter regarding Jesus’ payment of this tax, Jesus uses the opportunity to reveal a deeper truth about His identity and mission. By asking Peter whether the kings of earth collect taxes from their own children or from others, Jesus illustrates that, as the Son of God, He is exempt from the temple tax. However, to avoid causing offense or misunderstanding, Jesus performs a miracle to demonstrate His humility and respect for societal norms. The miraculous provision of a coin in the fish’s mouth not only underscores Jesus’ sovereign power over creation but also His mindful approach to not create unnecessary stumbling blocks for others.

Conclusion

Matthew 17 offers a multifaceted portrait of Jesus Christ, blending His divine glory with His earthly humility. From the awe-inspiring Transfiguration to the compassionate exorcism, and from the sobering prediction of His death to the subtle teaching on social obligations, this chapter encapsulates crucial aspects of Jesus’ ministry. Each event and teaching reinforces the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ divine identity, prepares them for future challenges, and instructs believers on the importance of faith, humility, and discernment. As readers engage with this chapter, they are invited to reflect on the depth of Christ’s mission and the transformative power of faith in their own lives.