17Matthew 17

The True Glory of Jesus

1Six days later Jesus took Peter and the brothers James and John with him. They went up on a very high mountain where they could be alone.Select Matthew 17:1

2There in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. His face was shining like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.Select Matthew 17:2

3All at once Moses and Elijah were there talking with Jesus.Select Matthew 17:3

4So Peter said to him, “Lord, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”Select Matthew 17:4

5While Peter was still speaking, the shadow of a bright cloud passed over them. From the cloud a voice said, “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him. Listen to what he says!”Select Matthew 17:5

6When the disciples heard the voice, they were so afraid they fell flat on the ground.Select Matthew 17:6

7But Jesus came over and touched them. He said, “Get up and don't be afraid!”Select Matthew 17:7

8When they opened their eyes, they saw only Jesus.Select Matthew 17:8

9On their way down from the mountain, Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen until after the Son of Man had been raised from death.Select Matthew 17:9

10The disciples asked Jesus, “Don't the teachers of the Law of Moses say Elijah must come before the Messiah does?”Select Matthew 17:10

11Jesus told them, “Elijah certainly will come and get everything ready.Select Matthew 17:11

12In fact, he has already come. But the people did not recognize him and treated him just as they wanted to. They will soon make the Son of Man suffer in the same way.”Select Matthew 17:12

13Then the disciples understood Jesus was talking to them about John the Baptist.Select Matthew 17:13

Jesus Heals a Boy

14Jesus and his disciples returned to the crowd. A man knelt in front of himSelect Matthew 17:14

15and said, “Lord, have pity on my son! He has a bad case of epilepsy and often falls into a fire or into water.Select Matthew 17:15

16I brought him to your disciples, but none of them could heal him.”Select Matthew 17:16

17Jesus said, “You people are too stubborn to have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here.”Select Matthew 17:17

18Then Jesus spoke sternly to the demon. It went out of the boy, and right then he was healed.Select Matthew 17:18

19Later the disciples went to Jesus in private and asked him, “Why couldn't we force out the demon?”Select Matthew 17:19

21Jesus replied: It is because you don't have enough faith! But I can promise you this. If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.Select Matthew 17:21

Jesus Again Speaks about His Death

22While Jesus and his disciples were going from place to place in Galilee, he told them, “The Son of Man will be handed over to peopleSelect Matthew 17:22

23who will kill him. But three days later he will rise to life.” All of this made the disciples very sad.Select Matthew 17:23

Paying the Temple Tax

24When Jesus and the others arrived in Capernaum, the collectors for the temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?”Select Matthew 17:24

25“Yes, he does,” Peter answered. After they had returned home, Jesus went up to Peter and asked him, “Simon, what do you think? Do the kings of this earth collect taxes and fees from their own people or from foreigners?”Select Matthew 17:25

26Peter answered, “From foreigners.” Jesus replied, “Then their own people don't have to pay.Select Matthew 17:26

27But we don't want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to pay your taxes and mine.”Select Matthew 17:27