MATTHEW 17
OPENS WITH...JESUS TRANSFIGURED, TRIUMPHANT, AND TAXED
Verses 1-2 tells us The TRANSFORMATION of Jesus before His disciples.
"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light."
Jesus took Peter, James, and John...
Jesus did not invite all the disciples, but only these three. Perhaps Jesus did this to prevent the account of this amazing miracle being told of before the time was right (Matthew 17:9).
Led them up on a high mountain...
There have been several suggestions for the location of the Mount of Transfiguration.
1. Mount Tabor (about 1,900 feet, 580 meters); but it is NOT high, and is NOT on the way from Caesearea Philippi to Capernaum.
2. Mount Hermon (about 9,300 feet, 2,835 meters) is high; but perhaps too high and too cold on its summit, where they seem to have spent the night. It also would not be close to the Jewish crowds that met Jesus immediately on His descent from the mountain (Matthew 17:14, Luke 9:37).
3. Mount Miron (about 3,900 feet, 1,190 meters) was the highest mountain in a Jewish area, and IS on the way between Caesearea Philippi and Capernaum.
BUT WHAT WE DO KNOW IS THIS...IF THAT ACTUAL PLACE WAS IMPORTANT TO US THEN AND NOW, JESUS WOULD HAVE MADE SURE WE KNEW IT. THAT JESUS DID NOT, TELLS US THAT AS USUAL THE EVENT WAS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PLACE.
He was transfigured before them...
The word transfigured speaks of a transformation, not merely a change in outward appearance. The effect was extremely striking; Jesus became so bright in appearance that He was even difficult to look at (like the sun).
“The verb metamorphoo (‘transfigure,’ ‘transform,’ ‘change in form’) suggests a change of inmost nature that may be outwardly visible.”
AND THINK HOW VERY POWERFUL AND STRONG OUR JESUS HAD TO BE TO CONFINE, SHIELD, AND KEEP HIS HEAVENLY GLORY, LIGHT, PURITY FROM SHOWING TO ALL!
AND THINK ABOUT THIS, REMEMBER THE PEOPLE BEGGED MOSES TO COVER HIMSELF AFTER BEING WITH THE LORD ON THE MOUNTAIN, BECAUSE MOSES STILL RADIANTED A BRIGHT, SCARY AND ******* THE EYES GLOW.
Essentially this was not a new miracle, but the temporary cessation of an ongoing one. The real miracle was that Jesus, most of the time, could keep from displaying this glory. Yet John said, We beheld His glory. Peter wrote, We were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light...
Jesus has His disciples with Him when He shines in His glory.
REMEMBER JOHN 17:24, "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me."
Verses 3 tells us Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus.
"And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him."
Moses and Elijah...
Remarkably, these two Old Testament persons appeared and spoke with the transfigured Jesus. Moses had lived some 1400 years before; Elijah some 900 years before; yet they were alive and in some sort of resurrected, glorified state.
It is fair to think that these two particular persons from the Old Testament appeared because they represent the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). The sum of Old Testament revelation came to meet with Jesus at the Mount of Transfiguration.
We can also say that Moses and Elijah represent those who are caught up to God (Moses at Jude 9 and Elijah at 2 Kings 2:11). More specifically, Moses represents those who die and go to glory, and Elijah represents those who are caught up to heaven without death (as in the rapture described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
AND RIGHT HERE IS THE FIRST PROOF POSITIVE THAT THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND DIE OR ARE CAUGHT UP WITHOUT DEATH IN THIS LIFE, ARE STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE, HAVE BODIES, CONVERSE WITH OUR JESUS, AND REMEMBER TOO, THE DISCIPLES KNEW WHO THEY WERE. IT IS ANOTHER PROOF, THAT ONCE WE ARE IN HEAVEN WITH OUR JESUS...WE WILL KNOW ALL THOSE THERE BY NAME AND THEY WILL KNOW US TOO!
ANOTHER PROOF AND TRUTH GIVEN US HERE IS THAT TIME IS ONLY GIVEN FOR THE EARTH AND MANKIND. THAT TIME AS WE KNOW IT DOES NOT EXIST IN HEAVEN. AND THAT ALL OF THOSE WHO LOVE JESUS AND ARE IN HEAVEN, ALREADY KNEW WHAT OUR JESUS WAS GOING TO DO, FACE, AND OVERCOME. SO THEY NOW KNOW AND UNDERSTAND MOST THINGS INSTANTLY OF THE PAST, THE PRESENT, AND THE FUTURE. WE WILL NOT KNOW ALL THE THINGS OF THE LORD, BUT WE WILL NO LONGER HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ONCE WE WALK THROUGH THE GATES OF HEAVEN, ALL QUESTIONS WILL BE MADE KNOWN TO US IN THE INSTANT WE ARE CHANGED.
AND LET'S FACE IT TOO, THE CONCERNS, THE CARES, AND QUESTIONS IN AND OF THIS WORLD WILL NOT BE IMPORTANT TO US ONCE WE WALK THROUGH THE GATES OF HEAVEN AND WE SEE OUR PRECIOUS JESUS FACE TO FACE.
Talking with Him...
Luke 9:31 tells us the theme of their conversation; they spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. They spoke of the upcoming work of the cross, and presumably of the resurrection to follow.
Verses 4-5 tells us Peter equates Jesus with Moses and Elijah and is dramatically rebuked by a voice from the cloud of God’s glory.
"Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah...
RIGHT HERE WE LEARN WORDS MATTER TO GOD.
NOW Mark 9:6 and Luke 9:33 point out that Peter did NOT know or realize what he was saying when he said this. Though said without careful thought, the effect of his words put Jesus on an equal level with Moses and Elijah, building equal shrines for each of them.
MANY RELIGIONS POINT TO THE FIRST PART OF THIS SCRIPTURE, AS PROOF THAT MOSES AND ELIJAH ARE EQUAL TO AND SHOULD BE EQUALLY HONORED AS JESUS. BUT AS USUAL, THOSE THAT CHERRY PICK PARTS AND PARCELS OF SCRIPTURE INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY GIVE FALSE TEACHINGS.
A bright cloud overshadowed them...
This is the cloud of God’s glory, called the shekinah in the Old Testament. From this cloud of glory, God the Father spoke.
SPURGEON reminds us, “When God The Father draws near to man it is absolutely necessary that his glory should be veiled. No man can see his face and live. Hence the cloud, in this instance, and in other cases.”
This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!
The Father, from heaven, rebuked Peter’s attempt to put Jesus on an equal footing with Moses and Elijah – and while he was still speaking. It was important to interrupt Peter, so that all would know that Jesus is unique and the beloved Son – He deserves our special attention, so Hear Him!
AND WE KNOW that everything that the Father said IS CONFIRMED IN OTHER Scriptures.
1. In Psalm 2:7, the Father says to the Son: You are my Son.
2. In Isaiah 42:1, the Father says to the Son that He is One in whom My soul delights.
3. In Matthew 12:18 quotes the passage: in whom My soul is well pleased!
4. In Deuteronomy 18:15, God the Father says through Moses the prophet about the coming Jesus, Him you shall hear.
SPURGEON says it well, “The occasion was most august, yet no better words are needed by the Lord himself concerning his own Son than those recorded in former ages in the pages of Holy Writ…So that this voice of the Lord utters three Bible words, and surely if the Lord speaks in the language of Scripture, how much more should his servants? We preach best when we preach the word of God.”
This is another development of the significant theme in Matthew of the conflict between Jesus and the religious leaders. With these words from heaven, God the Father clearly set Jesus above the Law and the Prophets. He is not merely another or even a better lawgiver or prophet. Jesus is the only begotten Son. The ULTIMATE law giver. The ULTIMATE prophet from God the Father.
SPURGEON again says it well, “If the Father says, ‘This is my Son,’ observe the graciousness of our adoption! With such a Son the Lord had no need of children. He did not make us his children because he needed sons, but because we needed a father.”
Hear Him!
If we should listen to anyone, we should listen to Jesus. One would think that a voice from heaven would say, “Listen to me!” But the Father said, “Hear Him!” Everything points us TO Jesus.
Verses 6-8 tells us The disciples react with a holy fear.
"And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only."
They fell on their faces and were greatly afraid...
They did NOT fall on their faces when they saw Jesus transfigured; NOT when His face shone like the sun; NOT when His clothes became as white as the light; NOT when Moses and Elijah appeared with Him; NOT when Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus; and NOT even when the cloud of glory appeared and overshadowed them. But when the disciples heard the voice OF OUR MIGHTY FATHER GOD from heaven, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
Arise, and do not be afraid...
The disciples were once again uniquely in awe of Jesus. This helps explain the purpose of the Transfiguration: to reassure the disciples that Jesus was the Messiah, even if He would indeed be crucified as He had so surprisingly revealed.
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only...
It is significant that their entire focus was forced upon Jesus once again. The cloud was gone; Moses had left, and Elijah had disappeared.
SPURGEON says, “At this day, my brethren, we have no Master but Christ; we submit ourselves to no vicar of God; we bow down ourselves before no great leader of a sect, neither to Calvin, nor to Arminius, to Wesley, or Whitfield. ‘One is our Master,’ and that one is enough, for we have learned to see the wisdom of God and the power of God in Jesus only.”
Verses 9-13 tells us The problem of Elijah coming first.
"Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist."
Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead...
Wisely, Jesus told the disciples to not speak of the transfiguration until after His resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus was the final confirmation of His ministry and glory; until then, reports of the transfiguration would be more likely to test the faith of those who did not see it rather than strengthen their faith.
Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?
The disciples had heard that Elijah must come, according to the promise of Malachi 4:5: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
Their question may go like this: “Jesus, we know that Elijah comes first before the Messiah. We know You are the Messiah, yet we just saw Elijah, and it seems that he came after You.”
Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things...
Jesus reassured the disciples that Elijah would indeed come first. But the first coming of Jesus did not bring the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
Instead, the Malachi 4:5 coming of Elijah is probably best identified with the appearance of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-13, and then the Second Coming of Jesus, when Jesus does once again step down on the earth on Mount Zion.
We know the difference, The Rapture of the Church happens before the Tribulation begins, and at that time, those who love Jesus Christ the dead bodies, as well the living, will be caught up to MEET Jesus in the clouds. Jesus does NOT step down on earth again until the end of the Great Tribulation.
And most believe from these scriptures here, in Malachi, and other places that Moses and Elijah will be the TWO witnesses of the Great Tribulation.
But I say to you that Elijah has come already...
Yet there was also a sense in which Jesus could rightly say “Elijah has come already.” Elijah had arrived in the work of John the Baptist, who ministered in Elijah’s spirit and power (confirmed to us also in Luke 1:17).
This is evident from a comparison of the life and work of both Elijah and John the Baptist.
1. Elijah was noted as being full of zeal for God; so was John the Baptist.
2. Elijah boldly rebuked sin in high places; so did John the Baptist.
3. Elijah called sinners and compromisers to a decision of repentance; so did John the Baptist.
4. Elijah attracted multitudes in his ministry; so did John the Baptist.
5. Elijah attracted the attention and fury of a king and his wife; so did John the Baptist.
6. Elijah was an austere man; so was John the Baptist.
7. Elijah fled to the wilderness; John the Baptist also lived there.
8. Elijah lived in a corrupt time and was used to restore failing spiritual life; so was it true of John the Baptist.
Verses 14-16) tells us Jesus casts out a demon too tough for the disciples to handle.
"And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
Have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic...
This particular boy’s epileptic symptoms were demonic in origin (Matthew 17:18), though this certainly could not be said about every case of epileptic symptoms, either then or today. The narrative in Mark 9:14-29 tells us that the boy was made deaf and dumb by this demon as well.
BARCLAY tells us something interesting here, “Matthew describes the boy by the verb "seleniazesthai", which literally means to be moonstruck.”
AND REMEMBER TOO...“When Moses came down from the mountain he was confronted by Israel’s apostasy (Exodus 32); so on Jesus’ return from the mountain he enters a scene of spiritual conflict and unbelief.”
So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him...
Sometimes Jesus’ followers fail, but Jesus NEVER does. The man was wise for going straight to Jesus when His followers failed.
BUT WE NEED TO REMEMBER SOMETHING HERE...On previous occasions, the disciples did cast out demons (Luke 10:17). Yet here they could not cure him.
WHY?
This is because there ARE ranks of demonic powers (Ephesians 6:12), and evidently some demons are stronger (more stubborn, resistant) than others. Since the disciples had been given the authority to cast out demons before (Matthew 10:8), apparently this demon was more difficult than most.
Their failure was in fact good for them. Their failure taught them.
1. It taught them NOT to get into a rut of mechanical ministry.
2. It taught them the great superiority of Jesus.
3. It taught them to wish for the presence of Jesus.
4. It taught them to come to Jesus with the problem.
Verses 17-21 tells us Jesus EASILY casts the demon out.
"Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?...
There is a sense that Jesus is frustrated with His disciples. His season of ministry before the cross was coming to an end, and perhaps He felt frustration that the disciples did not have more faith.
Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him...
Jesus delivered the demon-possessed boy instantly. What was too hard for the disciples was not too hard for Jesus.
Because of your unbelief...
Jesus laid the inability of the disciples to cast out the demon at their unbelief. To be successful in a battle against demons, there must be trust in the Lord God who has complete authority over the demons.
CLARKE says it well, "There was no point in blaming the boy or his father or the demon, though the demon was strong and had been there long. The fault lay in the disciples. “When the ministers of the Gospel find their endeavours, with respect to some places or persons, ineffectual, they should come, by private prayer, to Christ, humble themselves before him, and beg to be informed whether some evil in themselves have not been the cause of the unfruitfulness of their labours.”
If you have faith as a mustard seed...
The faith that we must have has more to do with what kind of faith it is than with how much faith there is. A small amount of faith, as small as a mustard seed (a very small seed), can accomplish great things if that small amount of faith is placed in the great and mighty God.
This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting...
We show our faith in and reliance on God through prayer and fasting. It displays an occupation with and dependence on Jesus.
Great prayer and fasting also display earnestness before God that brings answer to prayer. We often pray dispassionately, almost asking God to care about things we care little or nothing about.
Prayer and fasting demonstrate:
1. Great willingness to identify with the afflicted person.
2. Great appreciation of the strength of the demonic world.
3. Great dependence upon Jesus.
4. Great desire to fight and sacrifice for the sake of deliverance.
Verses 22-23 tells us Jesus reminds His disciples about His future sufferings.
"Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful."
The Son of Man is about to be betrayed...
Though they were frequent, these reminders about Jesus’ suffering and resurrection were disbelieved and forgotten by the disciples until after His resurrection (confirmed in Luke 24:6-8).
And the third day He will be raised up...
Jesus rarely told His disciples about His coming death without also telling of His coming resurrection. We know that the disciples did NOT really comprehend the glorious triumph of the resurrection, because they were exceedingly sorrowful.
Verses 24-26 tells us Time to pay the temple tax.
"When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?” Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free.”
Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?
This was a normal tax or fee applied to every Jewish man. Faithful Jewish men paid this obligation; others sought to escape the responsibility.
FRANCE tells us some interesting things of the time:
1. “It was, however, also a matter of controversy, as the Sadducees disapproved of the tax, and the men of Qumran paid it only once in a lifetime.”
2. “Payment could be made in person at the Passover festival in Jerusalem…but collections were made in other areas and abroad a month earlier. This incident therefore takes place about a month before Passover.”
3. “After ad 70, when the temple was destroyed, the Romans diverted this tax to the temple of Jupiter in Rome, after which it ceased to be a matter of patriotism and became a symbol of their subjection to a pagan power; the fact that the story is nonetheless recorded is one of the incidental indications that Matthew’s Gospel should be dated before ad 70.”
From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?
Peter gave the quick and natural answer to this question. But then Jesus explained that He is not liable to pay this tax, because the Father does NOT require it of His own Son.
FRANCE again tell us, “Rabbis were exempt from paying this tax, and so were the priests in Jerusalem; would Jesus claim a similar exemption? The question assumes that he does pay regularly, and Peter agrees.”
Verse 27 tells us Jesus pays the tax anyway, and by miraculous provision.
“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
Nevertheless, lest we offend them...
Jesus was not obligated to pay this tax under the principle He had just discussed with Peter; that as a son, not a servant, He did not have to pay this temple tax. Yet Jesus also recognized the importance of avoiding needless controversy, and so was willing to pay the tax so as to not offend those who questioned.
BARCLAY tells us, Jesus use of the Greek word "skandalizein" leads Barclay to write: “Therefore Jesus is saying: ‘We must pay so as not to set a bad example to others. We must not only do our duty, we must go beyond duty, in order that we may show others what they ought to do.”
Cast in a hook...
Peter was a professional fisherman who used nets, not a hook and a line. It must have humbled Peter to fish in this manner, and we can imagine that he hoped none of his other fishermen friends saw him trying to catch one fish at a time.
Take that and give it to them for Me and you...
Jesus trusted in the miraculous provision of God. It’s not everyday – or any day – that someone catches a fish and takes a coin out of its mouth. But Jesus used God’s provision to pay His taxes.
Yet He did pay for Peter; as a foreshadow of the work of redemption for all men. Jesus, who did not actually owe the price, paid it nevertheless – and at the same time, with the same price, paid for Peter as well.