American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Matthew 17
1
And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart,
Reference
2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Reference
Light
Psalm 104:2
Matthew 28:3
Parallel theme
Luke 9:29
Revelation 10:1
Revelation 20:11
Mark 9:3
John 1:14
Romans 12:2
John 17:24
4
Then answered Peter, and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Reference
Temple
Luke 9:33
5
While he yet spoke, 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 you him.
Reference
9
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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 8:30
10
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
Reference
11
And Jesus answered and said to them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Reference
12
But I say to you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done to him whatever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Reference
13
Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 11:14
14
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Reference
15
Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for often he falls into the fire, and oft into the water.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 4:24
16
And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.
17
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 here to me.
Reference
Faith
Numbers 14:11
Matthew 6:30
Mark 16:14
Mark 9:19
Matthew 8:26
Parallel theme
Acts 13:18
Proverbs 1:22
Exodus 10:3
Matthew 13:58
Numbers 14:27
18
And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Reference
References Jesus
Matthew 9:22
19
Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 9:28
20
And Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief: for truly I say to you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.
Reference
Faith
Luke 17:6
Mark 11:23
Matthew 21:21
Mark 9:23
1 Corinthians 13:2
John 11:40
Parallel theme
Luke 18:27
Luke 1:37
Matthew 13:31
Mark 4:31
21
However, this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.
22
And while they stayed in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 8:31
Matthew 17:23
Acts 7:52
Luke 24:26
Luke 9:22
Luke 24:46
Matthew 16:28
Matthew 24:10
Matthew 26:46
References Jesus
Matthew 16:21
23
And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
Reference
24
And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?
Reference
25
He said, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What think you, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Reference
26
Peter said to him, Of strangers. Jesus said to him, Then are the children free.
Summary of Matthew 17
Matthew 17 begins with the Transfiguration, where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and is transformed before them, with His face shining and His clothing becoming brilliantly white as Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Him.
The appearance of Moses and Elijah connects Jesus with the Law and the Prophets, but the heavenly voice makes the central message unmistakable by identifying Jesus as God's beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him, showing that Jesus possesses an authority greater than any previous servant of God.
As they descend from the mountain, Jesus explains that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, helping the disciples understand that God's prophetic promises were being fulfilled through events they had already witnessed.
The narrative then shifts dramatically from heavenly glory to human suffering when a desperate father brings his demon-oppressed son to Jesus after the disciples have been unable to help him, and Jesus immediately delivers the boy, demonstrating His complete authority over spiritual forces.
Jesus uses the disciples' failure to teach them about faith, prayer, and dependence upon God, explaining that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish extraordinary things when it genuinely trusts God's power rather than relying upon human ability.
Jesus then again tells His disciples that He will be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day, but instead of understanding the necessity of His mission, the disciples become deeply sorrowful because they still struggle to comprehend why the Messiah must suffer.
The final section takes place in Capernaum, where collectors of the Temple tax question Peter about whether Jesus pays the required contribution, giving Jesus an opportunity to explain that, as God's Son, He possesses a unique relationship to the Temple.
Although Jesus establishes that He is free from the obligation in a deeper theological sense, He chooses to pay the tax so that no unnecessary offense is created, and He miraculously provides the required coin through a fish, demonstrating both His divine authority and His willingness to act with humility and consideration toward others.
The central message is that Matthew 17 reveals Jesus' divine glory while simultaneously emphasizing the path of suffering that lies before Him, showing that the glorious Son of God willingly moves toward the cross and calls His disciples to develop genuine faith, prayerful dependence, and trust in God's purposes even when those purposes are difficult to understand.
The chapter ultimately brings together revelation and suffering, supernatural power and humble service, showing that the Jesus revealed in heavenly glory is the same Jesus who responds compassionately to desperate human need, prepares His disciples for His death and resurrection, and teaches them to trust God's power rather than their own strength.
The appearance of Moses and Elijah connects Jesus with the Law and the Prophets, but the heavenly voice makes the central message unmistakable by identifying Jesus as God's beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him, showing that Jesus possesses an authority greater than any previous servant of God.
As they descend from the mountain, Jesus explains that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, helping the disciples understand that God's prophetic promises were being fulfilled through events they had already witnessed.
The narrative then shifts dramatically from heavenly glory to human suffering when a desperate father brings his demon-oppressed son to Jesus after the disciples have been unable to help him, and Jesus immediately delivers the boy, demonstrating His complete authority over spiritual forces.
Jesus uses the disciples' failure to teach them about faith, prayer, and dependence upon God, explaining that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish extraordinary things when it genuinely trusts God's power rather than relying upon human ability.
Jesus then again tells His disciples that He will be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day, but instead of understanding the necessity of His mission, the disciples become deeply sorrowful because they still struggle to comprehend why the Messiah must suffer.
The final section takes place in Capernaum, where collectors of the Temple tax question Peter about whether Jesus pays the required contribution, giving Jesus an opportunity to explain that, as God's Son, He possesses a unique relationship to the Temple.
Although Jesus establishes that He is free from the obligation in a deeper theological sense, He chooses to pay the tax so that no unnecessary offense is created, and He miraculously provides the required coin through a fish, demonstrating both His divine authority and His willingness to act with humility and consideration toward others.
The central message is that Matthew 17 reveals Jesus' divine glory while simultaneously emphasizing the path of suffering that lies before Him, showing that the glorious Son of God willingly moves toward the cross and calls His disciples to develop genuine faith, prayerful dependence, and trust in God's purposes even when those purposes are difficult to understand.
The chapter ultimately brings together revelation and suffering, supernatural power and humble service, showing that the Jesus revealed in heavenly glory is the same Jesus who responds compassionately to desperate human need, prepares His disciples for His death and resurrection, and teaches them to trust God's power rather than their own strength.