Matthew 17
In Matthew 17, Jesus begins with a scene in which He takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain and is transfigured. This event, in which Jesus' face shines like the sun and His clothes become as white as light, is an important moment that reveals Jesus' divinity and glory. The appearance of Moses and Elijah is also noteworthy, since they represent the Law and the Prophets and suggest that Jesus fulfills everything and is the one who brings it to completion. Through this scene, the disciples were given an opportunity to come to a deeper understanding of Jesus' nature and God's will.
1verseAfter six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
2verseHe was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
3verseBehold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
4versePeter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5verseWhile he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6verseWhen the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
7verseJesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
8verseLifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
9verseAs they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
10verseHis disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11verseJesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things;
12versebut I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”
13verseThen the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
14verseWhen they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,
15verse“Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
16verseSo I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
17verseJesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
18verseJesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
19verseThen the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
20verseHe said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
21verseBut this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”
22verseWhile they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,
23verseand they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
24verseWhen they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?”
25verseHe said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
26versePeter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
27verseBut, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
Lessons While Coming Down the Mountain
As they come down from the mountain, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about this experience until after His resurrection. This suggests that the event will truly have meaning only when Jesus' mission has been fully accomplished. The disciples ask about the Jewish expectation that Elijah must come first, and Jesus explains that Elijah's mission was already fulfilled through John the Baptist. It helps us realize that God's plan works in ways that go beyond human expectations or traditional interpretations.
A Demon-Possessed Boy and the Limits of the Disciples
Below the mountain, the disciples face an incident in which they cannot heal a demon-possessed boy. Jesus rebukes their lack of faith and their failure in prayer and fasting, teaching that the importance of steadfast trust is essential, because true power comes from deep reliance on God. This passage reminds us once again that faith is a central value in the life of faith.
The Cross Mentioned Again
Jesus once again foretells His death and resurrection. The disciples fall into deep sorrow. This shows that Jesus' path is not one of glory alone. It also implies that even for the disciples, the journey of faith includes a process of suffering that is difficult to understand and hard to accept.
The Scene of Paying the Temple Tax
In the final part, there is an account of paying the temple tax. Jesus and Peter obtain one coin from the mouth of a fish and pay the temple tax. This scene shows that although Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth, He follows the request humbly so as not to cause an obstacle for others. At the same time, it prompts us to think about the relationship between Jesus' identity as the Son of God and life within the order of the world.
Meditation Points
- The 'original glory' that Jesus displayed on the Mount of Transfiguration points us in the direction of how each of us should view Jesus.
- Through the disciples' limitations and lack of faith, take time to reflect on the need for prayer and full reliance in the life of faith.
- Jesus' obedience and humility provide an example of a life that lowers Himself and cares for others, regardless of His status or role.
Apply It to Yourself
- Pray with a desire for closeness with the Lord, asking how you can experience the glory Jesus showed on the Mount of Transfiguration in your own life.
- Reflect on whether there are no unresolved problems due to the weakness of faith, and set aside time to draw closer to God through prayer and the Word.
- In the environment where you live, think about practicing humility like Jesus and showing consideration that does not become a stumbling block to people around you.