Matthew 17
Peter, James, and John Witness the Transfiguration of Jesus
(17:1–13)
1 Six days later, Jesus took aside Peter and Jacob [James] and John, his brother, and led them up into a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as pure light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with him. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down and were very terrified. 7 Jesus approached them, and when he touched them, he said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus. 9 After they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” 10 But his disciples asked him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 And Jesus answered, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things, 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they wished. So also, the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
The Healing of a Boy Possessed by a Demon (17:14–21)
14 When they reached the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, falling on his knees before him. 15 And he said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he suffers from epilepsy and is very ill. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 And Jesus responded by saying, “You faithless and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? How long will I have patience with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon came out of him, and the boy was cured from that moment. 19 Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out? 20 And he said to them, “Because of your lack of understanding; for truly I say to you, if you had an understanding even the size of a mustard seed, you might say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move; and nothing would be impossible for you.” [21]
Jesus Again Foretells His Betrayal, Death, and Resurrection (17:22–23)
22 While they were gathering themselves together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be resurrected on the third day;” and they were deeply troubled.
Jesus and Peter Pay the Two-Drachma Annual Temple Tax
(17:24–27)
24 When they came into Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax approached Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” 25 Peter replied, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, and said, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or a poll-tax—from their own children or from strangers?” 26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are exempt. 27 However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and remove the first fish that comes up; and when you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater (worth four drachmas). Take that and give it to them for me and for you.”
