17Matthew 17

1Six day later, Jesus took with Him Peter and the brothers James and John, and brought them up a high mountain to a solitary place.Select Matthew 17:1

2There in their presence His form underwent a change; His face shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light.Select Matthew 17:2

3And suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them conversing with Him.Select Matthew 17:3

4Then Peter said to Jesus, "Master, we are thankful to you that we are here. If you approve, I will put up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."Select Matthew 17:4

5He was still speaking when a luminous cloud spread over them; and a voice was heard from within the cloud, which said, "This is My Son dearly beloved, in whom is My delight. Listen to Him."Select Matthew 17:5

6On hearing this voice, the disciples fell on their faces and were filled with terror.Select Matthew 17:6

7But Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Rouse yourselves and have no fear."Select Matthew 17:7

8So they looked up, and saw no one but Jesus.Select Matthew 17:8

9As they were descending the mountain, Jesus laid a command upon them. "Tell no one," He said, "of the sight you have seen till the Son of Man has risen from among the dead."Select Matthew 17:9

10"Why then," asked the disciples, "do the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?"Select Matthew 17:10

11"Elijah was indeed to come," He replied, "and would reform everything.Select Matthew 17:11

12But I tell you that he has already come, and they did not recognize him, but dealt with him as they chose. And before long the Son of Man will be treated by them in a similar way."Select Matthew 17:12

13Then it dawned upon the disciples that it was John the Baptist about whom He had spoken to them.Select Matthew 17:13

14When they had returned to the people, there came to Him a man who fell on his knees before Him and besought Him.Select Matthew 17:14

15"Sir," he said, "have pity on my son, for he is an epileptic and is very ill. Often he falls into the fire and often into the water.Select Matthew 17:15

16I have brought him to your disciples, and they have not been able to cure him."Select Matthew 17:16

17"O unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus; "how long shall I be with you? how long shall I endure you? Bring him to me."Select Matthew 17:17

18Then Jesus reprimanded the demon, and it came out and left him; and the boy was cured from that moment.Select Matthew 17:18

19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him, "Why could not we expel the demon?"Select Matthew 17:19

20"Because your faith is so small," He replied; "for I solemnly declare to you that if you have faith like a mustard-seed, you shall say to this mountain, `Remove from this place to that,' and it will remove; and nothing shall be impossible to you.Select Matthew 17:20

21But an evil spirit of this kind is only driven out by prayer and fasting."Select Matthew 17:21

22As they were travelling about in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men;Select Matthew 17:22

23they will put Him to death, but on the third day He will be raised to life again." And they were exceedingly distressed.Select Matthew 17:23

24After their arrival at Capernaum the collectors of the half-shekel came and asked Peter, "Does not your Teacher pay the half-shekel?"Select Matthew 17:24

25"Yes," he replied, and then went into the house. But before he spoke a word Jesus said, "What think you, Simon? From whom do this world's kings receive customs or capitation tax? from their own children, or from others?"Select Matthew 17:25

26"From others," he replied. "Then the children go free," said Jesus.Select Matthew 17:26

27"However, lest we cause them to sin, go and throw a hook into the Lake, and take the first fish that comes up. When you open its mouth, you will find a shekel in it: bring that coin and give it to them for yourself and me."Select Matthew 17:27