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Matthew 17 Commentary

Please choose a passage:

Matthew 17:1-8

Jesus fulfills the prophesy He told His disciples about a week earlier when He said that some of them would not see death until they saw the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

Matthew 17:9-13

Jesus forbids Peter, James, and John to tell anyone about what they just saw until after the Son of Man has risen from the dead.

A desperate father approaches Jesus begging him to heal his son’s lunacy. He said that Jesus’ disciples were unable to help. Jesus scolds the unbelieving and perverted generation and then casts out the demon, curing the boy.

Matthew 17:19-21

The disciples approach Jesus to ask Him about why there were unable to cast the demon out of the man’s son. Jesus tells them that it was because of their unbelief. He then tells them that if they have faith of a mustard seed they would be able to tell mountains to move and they would move.

Matthew 17:22-23

Jesus tells His disciples that He will be handed over, killed, and raised from the dead as He and His disciples gather together in Galilee. His comment deeply troubles the disciples.

Matthew 17:24-27

Tax collectors from the Temple ask Peter whether or not Jesus pays the temple tax prescribed by the Mosaic Law. Peter replies “Yes.” When Peter enters his house, Jesus asks him if the king’s sons pay taxes to their Father. Peter replies “No.”

Additional Resources

Book Theme

The Bible Says Commentary on the Book of Matthew

Chapter Context

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on a mountainside alone. His appearance changes to brilliant radiance and He reveals His glory to these three disciples. Moses and Elijah appear also and Jesus talks with them. Peter says they should stay, and a voice from Heaven announces that Jesus is God’s Son and all returns to normal. Jesus then reveals to His disciples that John the Baptist was Elijah. A crowd brings a demoniac to Jesus’s disciples, but they are unable to liberate the boy. Jesus casts out the evil spirit and rebukes His disciples for their lack of faith. Jesus again reminded them that He will be arrested and killed. In Capernaum, tax collectors ask Peter to pay the two-drachma tax. Jesus tells Peter to get it from the mouth of a fish and pay the men. Peter does.