Matthew 17

Jesus' Appearance Is Changed

1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James with him. He led them up a high mountain. They were all alone.2 There in front of them his appearance was changed. His face shone like the sun. His clothes became as white as the light.3 Just then Moses and Elijah appeared in front of them. Moses and Elijah were 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 will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud surrounded them. A voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!"
6 When the disciples heard this, they were terrified. They fell with their faces to the ground.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 They came down the mountain. On the way down, Jesus told them what to do. "Don't tell anyone what you have seen," he said. "Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
10 The disciples asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah has to come first?"
11 Jesus replied, "That's right. Elijah is supposed to come and make all things new again.12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People didn't recognize him. They have done to him everything they wanted to do. In the same way, they are going to make the Son of Man suffer."
13 Then the disciples understood that Jesus was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus Heals a Boy Who Had a Demon

14 When they came near the crowd, a man approached Jesus. He got on his knees in front of him.15 "Lord," he said, "have mercy on my son. He shakes wildly and suffers a great deal. He often falls into the fire or into the water.16 I brought him to your disciples. But they couldn't heal him."
17 "You unbelieving and evil people!" Jesus replied. "How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."
18 Jesus ordered the demon to leave the boy, and it came out of him. He was healed at that very moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private. They asked, "Why couldn't we drive out the demon?"
20-21 He replied, "Because your faith is much too small. What I'm about to tell you is true. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough. You can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' And it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
22 They came together in Galilee. Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men.23 They will kill him. On the third day he will rise from the dead."
Then the disciples were filled with deep sadness.

Jesus Pays the Temple Tax

24 Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum. There the tax collectors came to Peter. They asked him, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"
25 "Yes, he does," he replied.
When Peter came into the house, Jesus spoke first. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "Who do the kings of the earth collect taxes and fees from? Do they collect from their own sons or from others?"
26 "From others," Peter answered.
"Then the sons don't have to pay," Jesus said to him.27 "But we don't want to make them angry. So go to the lake and throw out your fishing line. Take the first fish you catch. Open its mouth. There you will find the exact coin you need. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

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.