New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Matthew 17
1
After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James with him. He led them up a high mountain. They were all alone.
Reference
2
There in front of them his appearance was changed. His face shone like the sun. His clothes became as white as the light.
Reference
Light
Psalm 104:2
Matthew 28:3
Parallel theme
Luke 9:29
Revelation 10:1
Revelation 20:11
Mark 9:3
John 1:14
Romans 12:2
John 17:24
3
Just then Moses and Elijah appeared in front of them. Moses and Elijah were talking with Jesus.
Reference
4
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters. One will be for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Reference
Temple
Luke 9:33
5
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud surrounded them. A voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Listen to him!"
Reference
6
When the disciples heard this, they were terrified. They fell with their faces to the ground.
Reference
9
They came down the mountain. On the way down, Jesus told them what to do. "Don't tell anyone what you have seen," he said. "Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 8:30
10
The disciples asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah has to come first?"
Reference
11
Jesus replied, "That's right. Elijah is supposed to come and make all things new again.
Reference
12
But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People didn't recognize him. They have done to him everything they wanted to do. In the same way, they are going to make the Son of Man suffer."
Reference
13
Then the disciples understood that Jesus was talking to them about John the Baptist.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 11:14
14
When they came near the crowd, a man approached Jesus. He got on his knees in front of him.
Reference
15
"Lord," he said, "have mercy on my son. He shakes wildly and suffers a great deal. He often falls into the fire or into the water.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 4:24
16
I brought him to your disciples. But they couldn't heal him."
17
"You unbelieving and evil people!" Jesus replied. "How long do I have to stay with you? How long do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here to me."
Reference
Faith
Numbers 14:11
Matthew 6:30
Mark 16:14
Mark 9:19
Matthew 8:26
Parallel theme
Acts 13:18
Proverbs 1:22
Exodus 10:3
Matthew 13:58
Numbers 14:27
18
Jesus ordered the demon to leave the boy, and it came out of him. He was healed at that very moment.
Reference
References Jesus
Matthew 9:22
19
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private. They asked, "Why couldn't we drive out the demon?"
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 9:28
20
He replied, "Because your faith is much too small. What I'm about to tell you is true. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough. You can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there.' And it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Reference
Faith
Luke 17:6
Mark 11:23
Matthew 21:21
Mark 9:23
1 Corinthians 13:2
John 11:40
Parallel theme
Luke 18:27
Luke 1:37
Matthew 13:31
Mark 4:31
22
They came together in Galilee. Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be handed over to men.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 8:31
Matthew 17:23
Acts 7:52
Luke 24:26
Luke 9:22
Luke 24:46
Matthew 16:28
Matthew 24:10
Matthew 26:46
References Jesus
Matthew 16:21
23
They will kill him. On the third day he will rise from the dead." Then the disciples were filled with deep sadness.
Reference
24
Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum. There the tax collectors came to Peter. They asked him, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?"
Reference
25
"Yes, he does," he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus spoke first. "What do you think, Simon?" he asked. "Who do the kings of the earth collect taxes and fees from? Do they collect from their own sons or from others?"
Reference
26
"From others," Peter answered. "Then the sons don't have to pay," Jesus said to him.
Summary of Matthew 17
Matthew 17 begins with the Transfiguration, where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and is transformed before them, with His face shining and His clothing becoming brilliantly white as Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Him.
The appearance of Moses and Elijah connects Jesus with the Law and the Prophets, but the heavenly voice makes the central message unmistakable by identifying Jesus as God's beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him, showing that Jesus possesses an authority greater than any previous servant of God.
As they descend from the mountain, Jesus explains that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, helping the disciples understand that God's prophetic promises were being fulfilled through events they had already witnessed.
The narrative then shifts dramatically from heavenly glory to human suffering when a desperate father brings his demon-oppressed son to Jesus after the disciples have been unable to help him, and Jesus immediately delivers the boy, demonstrating His complete authority over spiritual forces.
Jesus uses the disciples' failure to teach them about faith, prayer, and dependence upon God, explaining that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish extraordinary things when it genuinely trusts God's power rather than relying upon human ability.
Jesus then again tells His disciples that He will be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day, but instead of understanding the necessity of His mission, the disciples become deeply sorrowful because they still struggle to comprehend why the Messiah must suffer.
The final section takes place in Capernaum, where collectors of the Temple tax question Peter about whether Jesus pays the required contribution, giving Jesus an opportunity to explain that, as God's Son, He possesses a unique relationship to the Temple.
Although Jesus establishes that He is free from the obligation in a deeper theological sense, He chooses to pay the tax so that no unnecessary offense is created, and He miraculously provides the required coin through a fish, demonstrating both His divine authority and His willingness to act with humility and consideration toward others.
The central message is that Matthew 17 reveals Jesus' divine glory while simultaneously emphasizing the path of suffering that lies before Him, showing that the glorious Son of God willingly moves toward the cross and calls His disciples to develop genuine faith, prayerful dependence, and trust in God's purposes even when those purposes are difficult to understand.
The chapter ultimately brings together revelation and suffering, supernatural power and humble service, showing that the Jesus revealed in heavenly glory is the same Jesus who responds compassionately to desperate human need, prepares His disciples for His death and resurrection, and teaches them to trust God's power rather than their own strength.
The appearance of Moses and Elijah connects Jesus with the Law and the Prophets, but the heavenly voice makes the central message unmistakable by identifying Jesus as God's beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to Him, showing that Jesus possesses an authority greater than any previous servant of God.
As they descend from the mountain, Jesus explains that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, helping the disciples understand that God's prophetic promises were being fulfilled through events they had already witnessed.
The narrative then shifts dramatically from heavenly glory to human suffering when a desperate father brings his demon-oppressed son to Jesus after the disciples have been unable to help him, and Jesus immediately delivers the boy, demonstrating His complete authority over spiritual forces.
Jesus uses the disciples' failure to teach them about faith, prayer, and dependence upon God, explaining that even faith as small as a mustard seed can accomplish extraordinary things when it genuinely trusts God's power rather than relying upon human ability.
Jesus then again tells His disciples that He will be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day, but instead of understanding the necessity of His mission, the disciples become deeply sorrowful because they still struggle to comprehend why the Messiah must suffer.
The final section takes place in Capernaum, where collectors of the Temple tax question Peter about whether Jesus pays the required contribution, giving Jesus an opportunity to explain that, as God's Son, He possesses a unique relationship to the Temple.
Although Jesus establishes that He is free from the obligation in a deeper theological sense, He chooses to pay the tax so that no unnecessary offense is created, and He miraculously provides the required coin through a fish, demonstrating both His divine authority and His willingness to act with humility and consideration toward others.
The central message is that Matthew 17 reveals Jesus' divine glory while simultaneously emphasizing the path of suffering that lies before Him, showing that the glorious Son of God willingly moves toward the cross and calls His disciples to develop genuine faith, prayerful dependence, and trust in God's purposes even when those purposes are difficult to understand.
The chapter ultimately brings together revelation and suffering, supernatural power and humble service, showing that the Jesus revealed in heavenly glory is the same Jesus who responds compassionately to desperate human need, prepares His disciples for His death and resurrection, and teaches them to trust God's power rather than their own strength.