Matthew 17:1-27 King James Version
Jesus’ Transfiguration, the Healing of a Demon Possessed Boy, Prediction of His Death a Second Time, the Temple Tax
Matthew 17:1-27 King James Version. Matthew 17 contains profound revelations about Jesus’ divine nature, the power of faith, the necessity of His sacrificial death, and His miraculous provision. The Transfiguration confirms Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and emphasizes the importance of listening to Him.
The healing of the demon-possessed boy teaches the disciples about the power of faith. Jesus’ second prediction of His death and resurrection prepares the disciples for the future, and the episode with the temple tax underscores Jesus’ authority and His willingness to avoid causing unnecessary offense while demonstrating divine provision.
The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-13. Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He is transfigured before them. His face shines like the sun, and His clothes become as white as light. Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Jesus. Peter suggests building three shelters for them.
A bright cloud envelops them, and a voice from the cloud says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” The disciples fall facedown in fear, but Jesus touches them and tells them not to be afraid. When they look up, they see only Jesus.
As they come down the mountain, Jesus instructs them not to tell anyone about the vision until after He has been raised from the dead. The disciples ask about Elijah, and Jesus explains that Elijah has already come, referring to John the Baptist.
The Transfiguration reveals Jesus’ divine nature and His fulfillment of the Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah). The voice from the cloud confirms Jesus as the Son of God and commands the disciples to listen to Him. This event strengthens the disciples’ faith and prepares them for the upcoming challenges.
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
Matthew 17:14-21. A man approaches Jesus, asking Him to heal his son, who suffers from seizures and is possessed by a demon. The disciples were unable to heal the boy. Jesus expresses frustration at the lack of faith, rebukes the demon, and heals the boy. The disciples ask why they couldn’t drive out the demon, and Jesus replies that it is due to their little faith, explaining that with faith as small as a mustard seed, they can move mountains.
This passage underscores the importance of faith in performing miracles and emphasizes that even a small amount of genuine faith can achieve great things. It also highlights the disciples’ need for greater spiritual maturity and reliance on God’s power.
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
Matthew 17:22-23. Jesus tells His disciples that He will be betrayed into the hands of men, killed, and raised on the third day. The disciples are filled with grief.
Jesus’ prediction of His death and resurrection reinforces the inevitability of His sacrificial mission and prepares the disciples for the upcoming events. The disciples’ grief shows their deep emotional connection to Jesus and their struggle to understand the necessity of His suffering.
The Temple Tax
Matthew 17:24-27. When Jesus and His disciples arrive in Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax ask Peter if Jesus pays the tax. Peter answers yes. Jesus then teaches Peter that the sons of the kingdom are exempt from the tax, but to avoid causing offense, He instructs Peter to catch a fish, which will have a coin in its mouth to pay the tax for both of them.
This passage highlights Jesus’ authority and His identity as the Son of God, who is technically exempt from the temple tax. However, Jesus chooses to comply with societal norms to avoid unnecessary conflict. The miracle of the coin in the fish’s mouth demonstrates Jesus’ divine provision and power.
Matthew 17:1-27 King James Version
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, 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 when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and 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 suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: 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 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
