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Read Matthew Chapter 17

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1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4Then 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.

5While 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.

6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

9And 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.

10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

11And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12But 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.

13Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

14And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

17Then 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.

18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20And 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.

21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

23And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25He 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?

26Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27Notwithstanding, 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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Explanation

Matthew 17

In short

Jesus takes three disciples up a mountain where his appearance becomes brilliant and glowing. He speaks with Moses and Elijah, and God's voice from a cloud tells the disciples to listen to Jesus. Then Jesus heals a boy no other disciple could help, and later provides money for a tax in a surprising way.

What the text says

Verses 1-2: Jesus takes Peter, James, and John alone to a high mountain, and his face shines like the sun while his clothes become white as light. Verses 3-4: Moses and Elijah appear talking with him, and Peter says it is good to be there and offers to build three shelters. Verses 5-8: A bright cloud covers them, and a voice from the cloud says "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." The disciples are terrified, but Jesus touches them and tells them not to be afraid. When they look, only Jesus remains.

Verses 9-13: Coming down the mountain, Jesus orders them not to tell anyone until he has risen from the dead. They ask why the scribes say Elijah must come first. Jesus says Elijah will come and restore all things, but has already come, and people did to him as they wished. The disciples understand he means John the Baptist.

Verses 14-21: A man kneels to Jesus, saying his son is troubled and often falls into fire or water. Jesus heals the boy by rebuking a devil. The disciples ask why they could not cure him. Jesus says it is because of their lack of faith, and that faith even as small as a grain of mustard seed could move a mountain. This kind requires prayer and fasting.

Verses 22-27: Jesus tells them he will be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day. At Capernaum, collectors of tribute money ask Peter if Jesus pays it. Jesus asks whose sons are free from tribute, and tells Peter to catch a fish, open its mouth, and find money inside to pay for both of them.

Takeaways

  • Jesus displayed divine power and glory while on earth, confirmed by God's own voice.
  • The disciples' doubt and weak faith limited what they could accomplish.
  • Jesus used unexpected means, like a fish's mouth, to provide what was needed.

Explanation written with the help of AI. The Bible text above is not changed. Context and interpretation are flagged as such; always come back to the text itself.