17:1ffThe Transfiguration was a vision, a brief glimpse of the true glory of the King (16:27, 28). This was a special revelation of Jesus’ divinity to three of the disciples, and it was God's divine affirmation of everything Jesus had done and was about to do.
Life Application Study BibleMatthewChapter 17
Matthew 17
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1578, 1579
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17Matthew 17
1Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. 2As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. *Suddently, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus. 4Peter blurted out, “LORD, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials*—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5But even as he spoke, a bright cloud came over them, and a voice from the cloud said, 6This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” ®The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground. 7Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” 8And when they looked, they saw only Jesus. 9As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man* has been raised from the dead.” 10Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?*” 1Jesus replied, 11Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready for the Messiah. 12But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” 13Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist. Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy (112/Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43) 14At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, 15“LORD, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't heal him.” 17:4 Greek three tabemacies. 17:9 “Son of Man’ is a title Jesus used for himself. 17:10 Greek that Elijah must come first? 17Jesus replied, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 18Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well. 19Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately,“ Why couldn't we cast out that demon?” 20“You don't have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there, and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.*” Jesus Predicts His Death the Second Time (113/Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44-45) 22After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. 23He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief. Peter Finds the Coin in the Fish’s Mouth (114) 24On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax* came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn't your teacher pay the Temple tax?” 25“Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house. But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter?* Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?*” 26” They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied. “Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free! 27However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw ina line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin.* Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”
The Disciples Argue about Who Would Be the Greatest
(115/Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48)
Textual footnotes
- 17:24 Greek the two-drachma [tax]; also in 17:24b. See Exod 30:13-16; Neh 10:32-33.
- 17:25a Greek
Life Application Notes 10 notes
17:3The Transfiguration was a foretaste of heaven; the participants were doing something worth noting—talking together. In God's world, interactions count highly. People are individuals, with minds, hearts, and opinions. People are also part of a wider whole, connected by relationships built on sharing between whole persons. Friendship is the key. Make time and opportunities to talk with others. Good conversations act as training for eternity.
17:3-5Moses and Elijah were the two greatest prophets in the Oid Testament. Moses represents the law, ar the old covenant.
17:17The disciples had been given the authority to do the healing, but they had not yet learned how to appropriate the power of God. Jesus’ frustration is with the unbelieving and unresponsive generation. His disciples were merely a reflection of that attitude in this instance. Jesus’ purpose was not to criticize the disciples but to encourage them to greater faith.
17:17-20The disciples had been unable to cast out this demon, and they asked Jesus why. He said their faith was too small. It is the power of God, plus our faith, that moves mountains. The mustard seed was the smallest particle imaginable. Jesus said that even faith as small or undeveloped as a mustard seed would have been sufficient. Perhaps the disciples had tried to cast out the demon with their own ability rather than God's. There is great potential in even a little faith when we trust in God’s power to act. If we feel weak or powerless as Christians, we should examine our faith, making sure we are trusting God’s power, not our own ability to produce results.
17:20Jesus wasn’t condemning the disciples for substandard faith; he was trying to show how important faith would be in their future ministry. If you are facing a problem that seems as big and immovable as a mountain, turn your eyes from the mountain and look to Christ for more faith. Only then will you be able to overcome the obstacles that may stand in your way.
17:22,23Once again Jesus predicted his death (see also 16:21); but more important, he told of his resurrection. Unfortunately, the disciples heard only the first part of Jesus’ words and became discouraged. They couldn't understand why Jesus wanted to go back to Jerusalem, where he would walk right into trouble. The disciples didn’t fully comprehend the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection until Pentecost (Acts 2). They didn’t know that Jesus’ death and resurrection would make his Kingdom possible. We shouldn’t get upset at ourselves for being unable to understand everything about Jesus. After all, the disciples spent three years with him, saw his miracles, heard his words, and still had difficulty understanding. Despite their questions and doubts, however, they believed. We should do no less.
17:24All Jewish males had to pay a Temple tax to support Temple upkeep (Exodus 30:11-16). Tax collectors set up booths to collect these taxes. Only Matthew records this incident— perhaps because he had been a tax collector himself.
17:24-27Peter answered a question without really knowing the answer, putting Jesus and the disciples in an awkward position. Jesus used this situation, however, to emphasize his kingly role. Just as kings pay no taxes and collect none from their family, Jesus, the King, owed no taxes. But Jesus supplied the tax payment for both himself and Peter rather than offend those who didn’t understand his kingship. Although Jesus supplied the tax money, Peter had to go and get it. Ultimately all that we have comes to us from God’s supply, but he may want us to be active in the process.
17:24-27As God's people, we are foreigners on earth because our loyalty is always to our reat King—Jesus. Still we have to cooperate with the authorities and be responsible citizens. An ambassador to another country keeps the local laws in order to represent well the one who sent him. We are Christ's ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Are you being a good foreign ambassador for him to this world?