Matthew 17

The transfiguration (vs. 1-9)—Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain for an event we call the “transfiguration.” “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (v. 2). Moses, the great lawgiver, and Elijah, the great prophet, appeared and talked to Him. Peter spoke up, suggesting that three tabernacles be built, one each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But in Mark’s account of this event, we learn that Peter didn’t really know what he was saying because the three apostles “were greatly afraid” (Mark 9:6). Apparently the point of the transfiguration is found in verse 5: “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’" The authority of Jesus, above that of Moses and Elijah is established—hear Christ, not Moses.

Elijah and John the Baptist (vs. 10-13)—The disciples asked Jesus, “’Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’" (v. 10). The Lord had already told them (11:14) that John the Baptist was the Elijah who was promised—prophesied in Malachi 4:5—but He tells them again here. Or at least implies such and they got the point. All the Old Testament prophesies had to be fulfilled, of course, and Malachi’s prophesy about “Elijah” is that last one. The Old Testament closes on that note—that “Elijah” is coming. When you see him, you’ll know ”the great and dreadful day of the Lord” is coming (Mal. 4:6). John was that promised “Elijah.”

Jesus cures an epileptic (vs. 14-21)—His disciples had been unable to cure this demon-possessed boy, and Jesus is a bit frustrated at them: “’O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?’” (v. 17). Jesus casts the demon out and the disciples asked Him why they had failed. They didn’t have enough faith, Christ told them, then tried to encourage them by saying, “’for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you’” (v. 20). Jesus obviously is speaking in hyperbole here, but His words are designed to let us know the power of faith. He also comforted the apostles by indicating that the demon He cast out was apparently an especially tough one: “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (v. 21). We have no real clue, practically, of what that means because the age of literal demon possession is over.

Jesus speaks again about His coming suffering, death, and resurrection (vs. 22-23)—Matthew’s only comment about it was “And they were exceedingly sorrowful” (v. 23). Perhaps they felt it would be better to keep silent, given Jesus’ stern rebuke of Peter the first time He mentioned it.

Jesus pays the temple tax (vs. 24-27)—Someone asked Peter if Jesus paid the temple tax, to which the apostle replied “yes,” though he probably wasn’t sure, given the subsequent conversation with Jesus. The Lord uses the incident as an indication of Who He is: “’What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?’ Peter said to Him, ‘From strangers.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free’” (vs. 25-26). In other words, Jesus didn’t really have to pay the tax since His Father owned the temple and Christ was His “free” son (I find it interesting that not having to pay taxes makes a person “free"). But lest Jesus cause any needless offense, He paid the tax. Peter found the coin in a fish’s mouth, according to Jesus’ instructions (v. 27).