Matthew 17

Jesus Talks with Moses and Elijah

1 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, up on a high mountain by themselves.2 While they watched, Jesus’ appearance was changed; his face became bright like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.3 Then Moses and Elijah 

4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put up three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While Peter was talking, a bright cloud covered them. A voice came from the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!”
6 When his followers heard the voice, they were so frightened they fell to the ground.7 But Jesus went to them and touched them and said, “Stand up. Don’t be afraid.”

8 When they looked up, they saw Jesus was now alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone about what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

10 Then his followers asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus answered, “They are right to say that Elijah is coming and that he will make everything the way it should be. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. They did to him whatever they wanted to do. It will be the same with the Son of Man; those same people will make the Son of Man suffer.”

13 Then the followers understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist.

Jesus Heals a Sick Boy

14 When Jesus and his followers came back to the crowd, a man came to Jesus and bowed before him.15 The man said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has epilepsy 

16 I brought him to your followers, but they could not cure him.”
17 Jesus answered, “You people have no faith, and your lives are all wrong. How long must I put up with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy here.”

18 Jesus commanded the demon inside the boy. Then the demon came out, and the boy was healed from that time on.

19 The followers came to Jesus when he was alone and asked, “Why couldn’t we force the demon out?”
20 Jesus answered, “Because your faith is too small. I tell you the truth, if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. All things will be possible for you. [21 That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and fasting.]” 

Jesus Talks About His Death

22 While Jesus’ followers were gathering in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man will be handed over to people,

23 and they will kill him. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the followers were filled with sadness.

Jesus Talks About Paying Taxes

24 When Jesus and his followers came to Capernaum, the men who collected the Temple tax came to Peter. They asked, “Does your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

25 Peter answered, “Yes, Jesus pays the tax.”
Peter went into the house, but before he could speak, Jesus said to him, “What do you think? The kings of the earth collect different kinds of taxes. But who pays the taxes—the king’s children or others?”

26 Peter answered, “Other people pay the taxes.”
Jesus said to Peter, “Then the children of the king don’t have to pay taxes. 27 But we don’t want to upset these tax collectors. So go to the lake and fish. After you catch the first fish, open its mouth and you will find a coin. Take that coin and give it to the tax collectors 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.