Moses, Elijah, and Jesus, 17:1-13 (Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36).
[1] Matthew said this happened six days after the confession. Luke said it was eight days after (Luke 9:28). Luke must have counted the partial beginning and ending days as whole days. These three disciples also went with Jesus when He healed the daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:37) and when He prayed in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37; Mark 24:33). The mountain mentioned in Matthew 17:1 is thought to be either Mt. Tabor (about 10 kilometres southwest of Nazareth) or Mt. Hermon (about 23 kilometres from Caesarea Philippi).
[2-3] Three things happened: (1) Jesus’ appearance changed; (2) Moses and Elijah appeared; and (3) God spoke from heaven (verse 5). Jesus’ face began to shine. He is described this way in Revelation 1:16. Moses’ face also shone when he came down from the mountain (Exodus 34:29ff.; 2 Corinthians 3:11). Jesus’ appearance became that of a heavenly being. Moses and Elijah were great men of the Old Testament. They were symbols of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah). Elijah was expected to appear before the Messiah (Malachi 4:4-5).
[4-5] Peter was often the spokesman for the followers of Christ (Matthew 16:16; 16:22). He wanted to show respect for all three by building three holy tents. It was good that he submitted his good intentions to Jesus by saying, “If you wish.” All of our plans should be subject to the will of God (James 4:15). A cloud also accompanied the Israelites (Exodus 13:21-22; 40:34-38). The voice repeated what was said when Jesus was immersed (Matthew 3:17). This time the voice stressed that the one to listen to is Jesus. He is more important than Moses and all the prophets (see Hebrews 1:2).
[6-8] Men who have seen visions reacted the same way (Revelation 1:17). All men one day will fall before God (Romans 14:11). The disciples were afraid in the presence of God, perhaps because they had overlooked the importance of Christ. Jesus did not want them to be afraid. He helps us not to be afraid even in the presence of God (Hebrews 4:14-16; Ephesians 2:18). For other passages on fear, see Matthew 10:31; 14:27; 28:5, 10. When they saw Jesus again, He probably appeared as a man again. His appearance may still have been glowing (see Mark. 9:15).
[9] Unlike other commands for silence, here Jesus placed a time limit on the silence. “I” refers to the Son of Man. For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20.
Matthew 17:10-18
10 They asked Jesus, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come before the Messiah?”
11 Jesus answered, “Elijah comes and makes all things right. 12 But, I am telling you, Elijah has already come! They did not acknowledge him. Instead, they treated him as they wished. In the same way, I am about to suffer many things from them.” 13 Then the followers understood that Jesus was talking to them about John (the one who immersed people). 14 When they got to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus. Kneeling down, 15 he said, “Lord, please help my son. He has a very bad case of epilepsy. Many times he falls into the fire. Often he falls into the water. 16 I brought him to your followers, but they could not heal him.” 17 Jesus answered, “You people are a generation with no faith. You are warped. How long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here to me.” 18 Jesus gave an order and the demon came out of him. The boy was healed from that moment on.
[10-13] Peter, James, and John asked about the role of Elijah. Elijah was to appear before the Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6). They thought Elijah had not yet appeared. Jesus explained that John (the one who immersed people) was the figurative return of Elijah (see Matthew 11:14). The “I” in verse twelve is literally “Son of Man.” For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20.
Jesus Heals a Boy Who Had an Evil Spirit, 17:14-21 (Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43).
[14-15] Demons could cause a person to go mad (Matthew 8:28ff.). They could cause illness, as in this case. They could also cause unusual powers and abilities (Acts 16:16-18). The father was powerless to help his son. Jesus was his only hope! Epilepsy is a disease that violently affects the central nervous system. It brings a loss of muscle control and loss of consciousness.
[16-18] The disciples had been given the power to drive out demons (Matthew 10:1, 8). Jesus did not have to perform some lengthy ceremony. He simply rebuked the demon, and the demon left instantly. The boy was cured instantly. The power of Jesus was shown.
Matthew 17:19-27
19 Then Jesus’ followers came to him alone. They asked, “Why were we not able to throw out the demon?” 20 Jesus answered them, “Because you have so little faith. I am telling you the truth: If your faith were the size of the small seed of the mustard plant, then you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there!’ and the mountain would move. Nothing would be impossible for you.” 21
22 When they gathered together in the land of Galilee, Jesus said to them, “I am about to be handed over to some men. 23 They will kill me.” (This made the followers feel very sad.) “However, on the third day, I will rise from death.” 24 They came to the town of Capernaum. The temple tax collectors came to Peter and said, “Your teacher pays the temple tax, doesn’t he?” 25 Peter said, “Yes.” When Peter went into the house, before Peter could say anything, Jesus spoke, “Simon, what do you think? From whom do kings on earth take their taxes or tariffs? From their own sons or from other people?” 26 Peter said, “From other people.” Jesus said to him, “So their sons are free from being taxed. 27 However, we don’t want to offend then? Go to the lake and throw in your hook. Take the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a coin. Take it and use it to pay the temple tax for you and me.”
[19-21] The followers of Jesus could not cast out the demon because of their little faith. Mark adds that this kind of demon required prayer on the part of the believer (Mark 9:29). Prayer invites God and His power to cast out demons. God is greater than demons. Many manuscripts include verse twenty-one (like Mark): “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Jesus said that even a small amount of faith could do great things. The boy’s father had a small faith but wished for more (Mark 9:23-24). The expression “moving mountains” is a way of saying “you can overcome great difficulties.”
Jesus Will Be Killed, 17:22-23 (Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:43-45).
[22-23] “I” is literally “Son of Man.” For “Son of Man,” see Matthew 8:20. Jesus repeated His prediction of His death and resurrection (Matthew 16:21). Death makes men sad. Yet, the resurrection of Jesus defeated death and its sadness.
Jesus Pays the Temple Tax, 12:24-27.
[24] Capernaum was on Lake Galilee. It was Peter’s home town. The tax was begun in Exodus 30:11-16.
[25-26] Peter said that Jesus honoured His commitment to the temple. Jesus gave an illustration of how governments tax. The taxes He spoke of were customs fees and census taxes. Foreigners were taxed, but citizens were free.
[27] Jesus was the Son of the God of the temple. Yet, He went ahead and paid the tax even though He was a very poor man
Matthew 18:1-10
18 1 At that time, the followers came to Jesus. They asked, “Who is the most important in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 So Jesus called for a little child and placed the child in the middle of them. 3 He said, “I am telling you the truth: If you don’t change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 The person who humbles himself like this little child is the most important one in the kingdom of heaven. 5 The person who, in my name, welcomes a little child such as this one welcomes me.” 6 “If someone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large rock hanging around his neck and to be drowned in the deep ocean. 7 It will be horrible for the world, because of the things which cause people to sin. Things will surely happen which will cause people to sin. But it will he horrible for the person who causes this to happen. 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you! It would be better for you to enter eternal life injured or crippled than to be thrown into eternal fire with two hands or two feet. 9 If your eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away from you! It would be better for you to enter eternal life with one eye than to be thrown into hell fire with two eyes.” 10 “Don’t treat one of these little ones as if they were not important. I tell you, their angels in heaven are always looking at my heavenly Father’s face.”