Matthew 17 – The Transfiguration, Faith, and the Coming Kingdom
Matthew 17 reveals the glory of Christ in the Transfiguration, His power over sickness and demons, and a lesson on faith and humility. It highlights Jesus’ divine nature, the necessity of faith, and His coming suffering and resurrection.
A Glimpse of Glory and the Power of Faith
Matthew 17 is a pivotal chapter that provides a divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity and prepares the disciples for the road ahead.
✔ Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John.
✔ Moses and Elijah appear, signifying the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
✔ A demon-possessed boy is healed, revealing the power of faith.
✔ Jesus again foretells His death and resurrection.
✔ A miraculous provision occurs when Peter finds a coin in a fish’s mouth.
📖 Key Verse: “And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.” – Matthew 17:7
🔎 Christ’s glory is revealed, but He also calls His disciples to faith and humility.
Matthew Chapter 17 - Overview
Matthew 17:1-13 – The Transfiguration of Christ
📖 Matthew 17:2 – “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.”
🔎 Jesus’ divine glory is revealed. This moment prefigures His resurrection and second coming.
📖 Matthew 17:3 – “And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.”
🔎 Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) confirm that Jesus fulfills both.
📖 Matthew 17:5 – “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
🔎 God the Father affirms Jesus’ identity, echoing His baptism (Matthew 3:17).
📖 Matthew 17:7 – “And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.”
🔎 Jesus reassures His disciples. While His glory is overwhelming, He calls them to courage and faith.
Matthew 17:14-21 – The Healing of the Demon-Possessed Boy
📖 Matthew 17:15-16 – “Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed… And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.”
🔎 The disciples’ failure highlights the necessity of true faith.
📖 Matthew 17:20 – “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed… nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
🔎 Faith, even small but genuine, moves mountains. This means trusting God completely, not relying on human effort.
📖 Matthew 17:21 – “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
🔎 Some spiritual battles require deeper commitment—prayer and fasting align us with God’s power.
Matthew 17:22-23 – Jesus Foretells His Death Again
📖 Matthew 17:22-23 – “The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again.”
🔎 Jesus prepares the disciples for His coming suffering. Yet, they still struggle to understand the necessity of the cross.
Matthew 17:24-27 – The Coin in the Fish’s Mouth
📖 Matthew 17:27 – “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook… and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money.”
🔎 Jesus demonstrates supernatural provision. Even in small matters, God provides for His people.
Matthew Chapter 17 - Deeper Study
Overview: Christ’s Glory, Faith, and Divine Provision
🔹 Timeframe: Jesus prepares His disciples for the coming crucifixion.
🔹 Setting: The mountain of transfiguration, Galilee, and Capernaum.
🔹 Theme: Faith, humility, and preparation for the cross.
Key Takeaways
🔑 Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
🔑 Faith, not human effort, is the key to spiritual victory.
🔑 Jesus’ suffering and resurrection were central to His mission.
🔑 God provides for His people, even in unexpected ways.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 The Transfiguration & Christ’s Return – A preview of Jesus’ second coming in glory (Revelation 1:14).
🔮 Moses & Elijah as Witnesses – Foreshadows the two witnesses in Revelation 11.
🔮 Faith & Miracles – Reflects Elijah’s miracles, requiring complete trust in God (1 Kings 17).
Historical & Cultural Context
📜 Mountaintop Encounters – Mountains were often places of divine revelation (Exodus 19:3, 1 Kings 19:11-12).
📜 Demon Possession & Exorcism – Ancient Jews understood demonic affliction but relied on rituals, unlike Jesus’ direct authority.
📜 Temple Tax – A yearly tax required from Jewish males; Jesus’ provision showed His sovereignty over all things.
💡 Final Reflection: Do We Trust in Christ’s Power?
Matthew 17 reminds us that faith unlocks spiritual power and provision. Are we living by faith or by sight?
📌 Do we recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s plan?
📌 Are we fully trusting in Christ’s power, or relying on our own strength?
📌 Are we prepared to surrender to God’s will, even when we don’t understand?
🚀 The King is coming in glory—will we walk in faith until that day?
The Transfiguration
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Mat 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Mat 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Mat 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Mat 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
Mat 17:11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon
Mat 17:14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Mat 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
Mat 17:16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Mat 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
Mat 17:18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
Mat 17:19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
Mat 17:22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
Mat 17:23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
The Temple Tax
Mat 17:24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
Mat 17:25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Mat 17:26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
Mat 17:27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Date Written
Approximately 50-60 AD
Written By
The Apostle Matthew (Levi)
Language
Originally written in Greek (with strong Hebraic influence)
Verses
27