Gospel of Matthew
Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024
CHAPTER 17 - Transfiguration
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Parallel Passages: Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36 |
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And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 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.
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.
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 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.
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They watch as Jesus is transfigured in front of them. Then they recognize Moses and Elijah suddenly being present with Jesus. A voice comes from out of the cloud and says “This is my beloved son”. We saw this occur before at the Baptism in chapter 3:17.
The disciples heard the VOICE OF GOD! They are instructed not to repeat what happened until after His resurrection! Imagine trying to keep that a secret! They are also just told that He would rise from the dead! Is anybody listening?
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Matthew Chapter 17 verses 10-13 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 9:11-13 |
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And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 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. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
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Another conversation regarding John the Baptist being return of Elias (Matthew 11:14)
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Matthew Chapter 17 verses 14-21 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43 |
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And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 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.
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 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.
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
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. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
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Man with a lunatic son comes to Jesus. Disciples had not been able to cast out the demon. Many times you will hear this passage taught due to verse 20 and “faith as a grain of mustard seed”. However, there is more. Jesus also states that “…this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting…”. There are some evil forces at work that may need more prayer and fasting to remove.
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Matthew Chapter 17 verses 22-23 |
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Parallel Passages: Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45 |
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And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
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Once again, he tells them that he would be killed and raised again on the third day.
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Matthew Chapter 17 verses 24-26 |
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And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? 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? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
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Back to Capernaum. Those that collect tribute asked Peter if Jesus paid tributes. Peter said yes without talking to Jesus, when he comes in Jesus questions “what Peter was thinking” when he gave that answer.
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Matthew Chapter 17 verses 27 |
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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.
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Other than raising the dead; this has to be one of the greatest miracles although it is very simple. Jesus tells Peter to: go cast a hook into the sea and the first fish he catches will have money in its mouth to pay the tribute.
Why a fish with coins in its mouth? Could he have as easily told Peter to go dig a hole in a certain spot?