Matthew 17

1 – 3

Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John the brother of James up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While they watched, Jesus was changed. His face became bright like the sun. And his clothes became white as light. Then two men were there, talking with him. The men were Moses and Elijah.

This shows that the Law and the Prophets are witnesses to the things that Jesus was showing to His followers. Luke tells us that they were talking together about Jesus dying on the cross. Luke 9:31

4. Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

We sometimes say things and we do not even know why we are saying them. We need to have mercy on each other when things are said during a time of confusion.

5. While Peter was talking, a bright cloud covered them. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, “This is my Son and I love him. I am very pleased with him. Obey him!”

The followers of Jesus would remember that God said these same things when Jesus was baptized. God repeats truth to us to get our attention.

6 – 9

The followers with Jesus heard the voice. They were so frightened that they fell to the ground. But Jesus went to them and touched them. He said, “Stand up. Do not be afraid.” When the followers looked up, they saw Jesus was now alone.

When Jesus and the followers were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until the Son of Man has been raised from death. Then you may tell.”

God may show you some things that He has not shown to some others. This does not mean that you should tell anyone about this. Be careful not to become proud of what God has shown you!

What makes you different than anyone else? What do you have that God has not given you? If everything you have is from God, why are you proud about it as if it was not a gift? 1 Corinthians 4:7

10 – 13

The followers asked Jesus, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first, before the Christ comes?”
Jesus answered, “They are right to say that Elijah is coming. And it is true that Elijah will make everything the way it should be.

But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People did not know who he was. They did to him everything they wanted to do. It will be the same with the Son of Man.

Those same people will make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the followers understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist.

The book of Malachi says that Elijah would come before the Messiah comes. Jesus said that John the Baptist came with the same Spirit that Elijah had. Malachi 4:5

And if you are willing to hear what I say, [John the Baptist] is Elijah, the one the prophets said would come. Matthew 11:14

14 – 18

Jesus and his followers went back to the crowd. A man came to Jesus and bowed before him. The man said, “Lord, please help my son. He has epilepsy and is suffering very much. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your followers, but they could not cure him.”

Jesus answered, “You people have no faith. Your lives are all wrong. How long must I stay with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy here.” Jesus gave a strong command to the demon inside the boy. Then the demon came out, and the boy was healed.

The father only wanted help from Jesus and did not want help from the followers of Jesus. He did not understand that God can use men so he did not trust God about this. They said that this was a spirit that was keeping the boy from talking but Jesus knew that there was also a demon stopping the boy from hearing.

19 – 21

The followers came to Jesus when he was alone. They said, “Why could we not send the demon out?”
Jesus answered, “You were not able to drive out the demon because your faith is too small. I tell you the truth. If your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there.’ And the mountain will move. All things will be possible for you. That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and give up eating.

This is why it is important to stay fresh in Bible reading and prayer. There is no special gift of sending out demons by experts. If there were such a gift then men would be proud of it. When we make ourselves weak by fasting and prayer and full of God’s Words then we know that it is Him who is working and not us. You would be very foolish to go against demons by yourself. You will need the covering of many Christians praying with you about this.

22 – 23

Later, the followers met together in Galilee. Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man will be given into the control of some men. They will kill him, but on the third day he will be raised from death.” And the followers were filled with sadness.

They were not really listening but later they remembered Luke 24:8

24 – 27

Jesus and his followers went to Capernaum. There some men came to Peter. They were the men who collected the Temple tax. They asked, “Does your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

Peter answered, “Yes, Jesus pays the tax.” Peter went into the house where Jesus was. Before Peter could speak, Jesus said to him, “The kings on the earth collect different kinds of taxes. But who are the people who pay the taxes? Are they the king’s children? Or do others pay the taxes? What do you think?”

Peter answered, “Other people pay the taxes.” Jesus said to Peter, “Then the children of the king do not have to pay taxes. But we don’t want to make these tax collectors angry. So go to the lake and fish. After you catch the first fish, open its mouth. Inside its mouth you will find a coin. Take that coin and give it to the tax collectors. That will pay the tax for you and me.”

There are Christians who say that they should not have to pay taxes and think of ways to keep from paying. Jesus paid taxes so that He would not leave the enemy anything to accuse Him of. God might even show you a way to do something you like doing (like going fishing) to get extra money for taxes!