Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

1 Six days later Jesus *took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and *led them up on a high mountain by themselves.2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified.7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, "Get up, and do not be afraid."8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."10 And His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"11 And He answered and said, "Elijah is coming and will restore all things;12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands."13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

The Demoniac

14 When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before Him and saying,15 "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.16 I brought him to Your disciples, and they could not cure him."17 And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him here to Me."18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured at once.

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not drive it out?"20 And He *said to them, "Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.21 [tBut this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."]

22 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men;23 and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved.

The Tribute Money

24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the ttwo-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax? "25 He *said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?"26 When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt.27 However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find ta shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me."

Matthew 17

1 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:2 and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.3 And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.4 And 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.5 While 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.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 lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, save Jesus only.

9 And 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.10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?11 And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:12 but 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.13 Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, saying,15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and off-times into the water.16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.17 And 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.18 And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour.

19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?20 And 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 But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting.

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

24 And 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?25 He 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?26 And when he said, From strangers, Jesus said unto him, Therefore the sons are free.27 But, 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.