Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.4 Then 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.5 While 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!6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and do not be afraid.8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.9 Now 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.10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?11 Jesus answered and said to them, Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 But 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.13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

Instruction About Faith

14 And 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.16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.17 Then 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.18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, Why could we not cast it out?20 So 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. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

Instruction About Jesus Death

22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up. And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

Instruction About Taxes

24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?25 He 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?26 Peter said to Him, From strangers.27 Nevertheless, 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.

MATTHEW 17

The True Glory of Jesus

(Mark 9.2-13; Luke 9.28-36)

1  t Six days later Jesus took Peter and the brothers James and John with him. They went up on a very high mountain where they could be alone.

2 There in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. His face was shining like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
3 All at once Moses and Elijah were there talking with Jesus.

4 So Peter said to him, “Lord, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5  t While Peter was still speaking, the shadow of a bright cloud passed over them. From the cloud a voice said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him. Listen to what he says!” 6 When the disciples heard the voice, they were so afraid they fell flat on the ground. 7 But Jesus came over and touched them. He said, “Get up and don't be afraid!”

8 When they opened their eyes, they saw only Jesus.

9 On their way down from the mountain, Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Son of Man had been raised from death.

10  t The disciples asked Jesus, “Don't the teachers of the Law of Moses say Elijah must come before the Messiah does?”
11  t Jesus told them, “Elijah certainly will come and get everything ready. 12 t In fact, he has already come. But the people did not recognize him and treated him just as they wanted to. They will soon make the Son of Man suffer in the same way.”

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

Jesus Heals a Boy

(Mark 9.14-29; Luke 9.37-43a)

16 I brought him to your disciples, but none of them could heal him.”
17 Jesus said, “You people are too stubborn to have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here.”

18 Then Jesus spoke sternly to the demon. It went out of the boy, and right then he was healed.

19 Later the disciples went to Jesus in private and asked him, “Why couldn't we force out the demon?”

20-21  t Jesus replied:
It is because you don't have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.t

Jesus Again Speaks //about His Death

(Mark 9.30-32; Luke 9.43b-45)

23 who will kill him. But three days later he will rise to life.” All of this made the disciples very sad.

Paying the Temple Tax

24  t When Jesus and the others arrived in Capernaum, the collectors for the temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” Peter answered.
After they had returned home, Jesus went up to Peter and asked him, “Simon, what do you think? Do the kings of this earth collect taxes and fees from their own people or from foreigners?”t

26 Peter answered, “From foreigners.”
Jesus replied, “Then their own peoplet don't have to pay. 27 But we don't want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to pay your taxes and mine.”