New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 17

Glory on the Mountain

Three disciples witness Jesus transfigured in blinding light alongside Moses and Elijah. Then they come back down to a world that still needs healing.

King James Version BSB KJV

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1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4Then 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.

5While 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.

6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

9And 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.

10And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

11And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12But 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.

13Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

14And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

17Then 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.

18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20And 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.

21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

22And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

23And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.

24And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

25He 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?

26Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.

27Notwithstanding, 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.

Understand This

Matthew 17, explained

What Matthew 17 is saying

Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He is transfigured—His face shining like the sun, His clothes becoming dazzling white, with Moses and Elijah appearing alongside Him. The Father's voice from a cloud echoes the baptism declaration. Descending, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy the disciples could not cure and again predicts His death and resurrection. He provides the temple tax through a coin found in a fish's mouth.

The background behind it

The Transfiguration likely occurred on Mount Hermon near Caesarea Philippi. Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets converging on Jesus. The divine command 'Listen to Him' echoes Deuteronomy 18:15, identifying Jesus as the prophet-like-Moses. The temple tax episode addresses the relationship between Jesus's community and Jewish institutional life.

Themes running underneath

The Transfiguration is a proleptic revelation of Jesus's eschatological glory, confirming His identity between two passion predictions. The disciples' failure to exorcise the boy highlights the gap between delegated authority and faith's practice. The temple tax episode shows Jesus navigating institutional obligations with both freedom and grace.

Why it still matters

Mountain experiences are real but temporary; Jesus leads His followers back down into a world of suffering that needs their faithful engagement. The Transfiguration assures believers that the glory is coming, even when the path runs through the cross.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.