# Overview Matthew Chapter 17 begins with the #Transfiguration of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], a pivotal event that occurs on a high mountain where Jesus takes #Peter, #James, and #John with Him. During this transcendent moment, Jesus' appearance is transformed, His face shining like the sun and His clothes becoming as white as light. #Moses and #Elijah appear, speaking with Jesus, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets bearing witness to Him. #Peter, overwhelmed and not fully understanding the significance, suggests building three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. However, a bright cloud envelops them, and a voice from the cloud, identified as #God the Father, declares Jesus as His beloved Son, urging the disciples to listen to Him. This divine affirmation echoes the baptism of Jesus, reinforcing His identity and mission. The disciples fall face down in fear, but Jesus reassures them, and they see only Him as they descend from the mountain. The chapter continues with Jesus healing a demon-possessed boy whom the disciples could not heal, showcasing His authority and power over evil. Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith, emphasizing that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. He then predicts His death and resurrection for the second time, reminding the disciples of the necessity of His forthcoming sacrifice. The chapter concludes with the temple tax incident, where Jesus instructs Peter to catch a fish, in whose mouth a coin is found to pay the tax for both of them. This event demonstrates Jesus' sovereignty over creation and His fulfillment of the law, even in mundane matters. Throughout Chapter 17, the themes of divine revelation, faith, and Jesus' divine authority are woven together, preparing the disciples for the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. ## Theological Insights Matthew 17 presents several key theological themes that are deeply interwoven with the narrative of Jesus' ministry and His divine identity. 1. **The Transfiguration of Jesus**: The chapter begins with the event of the Transfiguration, where Jesus is revealed in His divine glory on a mountain, accompanied by #Moses and #Elijah ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17#^1-3]]). This event underscores Jesus' fulfillment of the #Law and the #Prophets, represented by Moses and Elijah respectively. The heavenly voice declaring Jesus as the beloved Son ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17#^5]]) echoes the divine affirmation at His baptism ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 3#^17]]), highlighting His divine authority and identity as the #SonofGod. 2. **The Messianic Mission**: The appearance of Moses and Elijah can be seen as a testament to Jesus' mission as the promised #Messiah who fulfills the Old Testament prophecies. [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 18#^15]] speaks of a prophet like Moses, which finds fulfillment in Jesus. Similarly, Elijah's presence points to the prophetic expectation of Elijah's return before the Day of the Lord ([[Malachi/Malachi Chapter 4#^5-6]]), which is interpreted as fulfilled in John the Baptist ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17#^10-13]]). 3. **Faith and the Power of God**: The healing of the demon-possessed boy ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17#^14-21]]) highlights the necessity of faith to access the power of God. Jesus' rebuke of the disciples for their little faith serves as a reminder of the importance of faith in the believer's life. The statement that faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains underscores the potency of genuine faith aligned with God's will. 4. **The Suffering Messiah**: Jesus foretells His death and resurrection to His disciples ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17#^22-23]]), emphasizing the #suffering that is integral to His mission. This prediction of His passion is a crucial reminder of the purpose of His incarnation—redemption through suffering and sacrifice—foreshadowing the events that will unfold in #Jerusalem. 5. **The Kingdom and Humility**: The discourse on paying the temple tax ([[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 17#^24-27]]) provides insight into Jesus’ understanding of His identity and mission. By instructing Peter to find a coin in the mouth of a fish, Jesus affirms His sovereignty over creation. Yet, He also demonstrates humility and submission to avoid causing offense. This act symbolizes the balance between divine authority and humility, a recurring theme in Jesus' ministry. Overall, Matthew 17 showcases Jesus' divine nature, His fulfillment of Old Testament expectations, the power of faith, the significance of His suffering, and the example of humility, all pivotal to understanding His messianic mission and the nature of His kingdom. ## Thematic Connections ### The Transfiguration and Divine Glory The #Transfiguration of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]] in Matthew 17 is a profound manifestation of divine glory, echoing the transformative experiences of #Moses on #MountSinai (see [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 34]]) and the prophetic visions of #Ezekiel (see [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 1]]). This event serves as a testament to Jesus’ divine nature and his fulfillment of the #Law and the #Prophets, represented by the presence of #Moses and #Elijah. ### The Voice of God and Divine Sonship The divine proclamation, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him," reinforces Jesus' identity as the Son of God, akin to the declaration at his baptism in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 3]]. This theme of divine sonship and authority is critical throughout #Matthew, underscoring Jesus' unique relationship with the Father and establishing his authority over all things. ### Faith and Healing The healing of the demon-possessed boy highlights the theme of faith as a requirement for divine intervention. Jesus’ rebuke of the disciples for their lack of faith parallels his teachings elsewhere, such as in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 14]], emphasizing that faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can accomplish great things. This underscores the power and necessity of faith in the believer's life. ### Suffering and Glory Jesus' prediction of his suffering, death, and resurrection in this chapter resonates with the theme of suffering preceding glory. This motif is mirrored in the lives of the prophets, such as #Isaiah's suffering servant (see [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53]]), and foreshadows the path to glory through suffering for believers, as articulated in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 8]]. ### The Kingdom of Heaven and Humility The discussion of the temple tax and Jesus’ instruction to Peter to find a coin in the fish's mouth speaks to the themes of the kingdom of heaven and humility. This episode reflects the teaching that God provides for his mission in unexpected ways, and it also emphasizes the humility and submission required of those who belong to God’s kingdom, as Jesus models submission to earthly authorities. This theme is further reflected in the call to humility in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 18]]. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Transfiguration and the Law and the Prophets The #Transfiguration of Jesus in Matthew 17 is a profound fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets as represented by the presence of #Moses and #Elijah. This event echoes the prophecy of a coming prophet like Moses from [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 18|Deuteronomy 18:15]], as Jesus is revealed as the one who fulfills the Law given through Moses. Similarly, Elijah's presence aligns with the prophecy from [[Malachi/Malachi Chapter 4|Malachi 4:5-6]] about Elijah's return before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. The divine voice declaring Jesus as the beloved Son (Matthew 17:5) fulfills the Messianic promise in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 2|Psalm 2:7]], affirming Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. ### The Suffering of the Messiah Jesus' prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection in Matthew 17:22-23 aligns with the suffering servant motifs found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 53|Isaiah 53]]. This prophecy foresees the Messiah's role as one who suffers for the sins of the people, providing redemption and demonstrating God's plan for salvation. ### The Temple Tax and the Sonship of Jesus In Matthew 17:24-27, Jesus' discussion about the temple tax highlights His identity as the Son of God, who is exempt from such earthly obligations. This interaction subtly fulfills the prophecy of the coming Messiah who would be the Son of God, as mentioned in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 7|2 Samuel 7:14]], where God promises David that his offspring will be God's son. This fulfillment underscores Jesus' divine sonship and His authority above earthly institutions, emphasizing His role in God's redemptive plan. ## Verses - **Matthew 17:1** - "Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, #James and #John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone." - See also [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 26]] for another instance of Jesus taking Peter, James, and John to a secluded place. - **Matthew 17:2** - "As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light." - This transformation is reminiscent of Moses' encounter with God in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 34]]. - **Matthew 17:3** - "Suddenly, #Moses and #Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus." - Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively, which Jesus fulfills as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 5]]. - **Matthew 17:4** - "Peter exclaimed, 'Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'" - **Matthew 17:5** - "But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.'" - Similar divine affirmation occurs at Jesus' baptism in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 3]]. - **Matthew 17:6** - "The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground." - **Matthew 17:7** - "Then Jesus came over and touched them. 'Get up,' he said. 'Don’t be afraid.'" - **Matthew 17:8** - "And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus." - **Matthew 17:9** - "As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, 'Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.'" - See the fulfillment of this prophecy in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 28]]. - **Matthew 17:10** - "Then his disciples asked him, 'Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?'" - **Matthew 17:11** - "Jesus replied, 'Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready.'" - **Matthew 17:12** - "But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer." - This refers to John the Baptist as seen in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 11]]. - **Matthew 17:13** - "Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist." - **Matthew 17:14** - "At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said," - **Matthew 17:15** - "'Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.'" - **Matthew 17:16** - "'So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.'" - **Matthew 17:17** - "Jesus said, 'You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.'" - **Matthew 17:18** - "Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well." - **Matthew 17:19** - "Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, 'Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?'" - **Matthew 17:20** - "'You don’t have enough faith,' Jesus told them. 'I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.'" - Faith compared to a mustard seed is also mentioned in [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 13]]. - **Matthew 17:21** - "But this kind of demon won’t leave except by prayer and fasting." - **Matthew 17:22** - "After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, 'The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.'" - **Matthew 17:23** - "'He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.' And the disciples were filled with grief." - **Matthew 17:24** - "On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, 'Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?'" - **Matthew 17:25** - "'Yes, he does,' Peter replied. Then he went into the house, but before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, 'What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?'" - **Matthew 17:26** - "'They tax the people they have conquered,' Peter replied. 'Well, then,' Jesus said, 'the citizens are free!'" - **Matthew 17:27** - "'However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.'"