Chapter 17
27 verses — switch translations with the toolbar below.
Scripture
KJV1And 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.
“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.”
Overview
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain where He is transfigured before them — His face shining like the sun and His garments becoming white as light — while Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Him. The Father's voice from a bright cloud declares, 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.' Coming down, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy the disciples could not cure, again foretells His death and resurrection, and miraculously provides the temple tax from a fish's mouth.
Key Themes
The Transfiguration — Glory Revealed
The transfiguration pulls back the veil on Jesus' true divine glory, confirming that He is the fulfillment of the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah).
Hear Ye Him
The Father's command to 'hear him' establishes Jesus as the final and supreme authority — greater than Moses and Elijah, the definitive Word of God.
Faith and Prayer
The disciples' inability to cast out the demon reveals that spiritual power requires genuine faith nourished by prayer and fasting, not mere technique.
Study Questions
Why does Jesus allow only Peter, James, and John to witness the transfiguration — and why does He command them to keep it secret until after the resurrection?
What is the significance of Moses and Elijah appearing with Jesus on the mountain?
How does the Father's declaration 'hear ye him' inform the way you approach Scripture and the words of Christ?
Why were the disciples unable to cast out the demon, and what does Jesus' answer teach about the relationship between faith and spiritual power?
How does the transfiguration strengthen the disciples — and us — for the suffering that Jesus has just predicted?
Connection to Christ
The transfiguration is a momentary unveiling of the glory that Jesus willingly set aside in the incarnation. He stands as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, the beloved Son whom the Father commands all to hear. Even as He descends the mountain toward the cross, the glory glimpsed here assures us that suffering will give way to resurrection splendor.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Matthew 17. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?