Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

¹After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.

²He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.

³Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.

⁴Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

⁵While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

⁶When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.

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

⁸Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.

⁹As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”

¹⁰His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things;

¹²but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”

¹³Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

¹⁴When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,

¹⁵“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.

¹⁶So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”

¹⁷Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”

¹⁸Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.

¹⁹Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”

²⁰He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

²¹But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”

Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

²²While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,

²³and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.

The Temple Tax

²⁴When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?”

²⁵He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”

²⁶Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.

²⁷But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”

Previous Matthew 16

Next Matthew 18

Matthew 17 presents Jesus' divine glory through the Transfiguration, where he appears in heavenly radiance alongside Moses and Elijah before three disciples, with God's voice affirming his sonship. Descending from this mountaintop experience, Jesus demonstrates his authority by healing a demon-possessed boy whom the disciples could not cure, teaching them about faith and prayer. The chapter concludes with Jesus' second prediction of his death and resurrection, and his provision for the temple tax through a miraculous coin in a fish's mouth.

Context

Following Peter's confession of Jesus as Messiah in chapter 16, this chapter reveals Jesus' divine glory while preparing disciples for his approaching passion.

Key Themes

Outline

1-8
The Transfiguration Jesus is transformed in glory before Peter, James, and John, appearing with Moses and Elijah as God's voice declares his divine sonship.
9-13
Discussion About Elijah Jesus explains that John the Baptist fulfilled the role of Elijah who was to come before the Messiah.
14-21
Healing the Demon-Possessed Boy Jesus heals a boy the disciples could not cure, teaching them about faith and the necessity of prayer and fasting.
22-23
Second Prediction of Death Jesus again foretells his coming death and resurrection, causing great sorrow among his disciples.
24-27
The Temple Tax Jesus provides for the temple tax through a miraculous coin found in a fish's mouth, demonstrating both submission and divine authority.

The Transfiguration

17:1–17:13

gospel narration triumphant

Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John, appearing with Moses and Elijah while God's voice declares him his beloved Son. Jesus explains that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist.

person_contrast

Jesus, who typically appears in authority and judgment contexts throughout Matthew, here uniquely manifests divine glory and revelation alongside Moses and Elijah.

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

17:14–17:21

gospel narration urgent

Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy after his disciples fail to do so, teaching them that such healing requires faith, prayer, and fasting. He rebukes the faithless generation while demonstrating the power of even small faith.

person_contrast

Jesus's harsh rebuke of the "faithless and perverse generation" immediately precedes his gentle healing of the boy, creating Matthew's starkest juxtaposition between divine judgment and compassion.

Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection

17:22–17:23

gospel speech mournful

Jesus again predicts his death and resurrection to his disciples while they are in Galilee. The disciples respond with great sorrow at this news.

person_contrast

Jesus employs the passive voice "delivered up" (paradidōmi) here, the same verb describing Judas's betrayal, subtly linking divine necessity with human treachery.

The Temple Tax

17:24–17:27

gospel dialogue contemplative

When questioned about paying the temple tax, Jesus teaches Peter about spiritual authority and freedom, then miraculously provides payment through a fish with a coin. He demonstrates both his divine authority and his willingness to avoid causing offense.

person_contrast

Jesus demonstrates supernatural knowledge by anticipating Peter's conversation about the temple tax before Peter can speak, revealing his divine omniscience in an unexpectedly mundane financial situation.

Insight Character Study

Jesus, who typically appears in authority and judgment contexts throughout Matthew, here uniquely manifests divine glory and revelation alongside Moses and Elijah.

Insight Character Study

Jesus's harsh rebuke of the "faithless and perverse generation" immediately precedes his gentle healing of the boy, creating Matthew's starkest juxtaposition between divine judgment and compassion.

Insight Character Study

Jesus employs the passive voice "delivered up" (paradidōmi) here, the same verb describing Judas's betrayal, subtly linking divine necessity with human treachery.

Insight Character Study