Matthew 16:21-17:13

International Standard Version

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection^(A)

²¹ From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer a great deal because of the elders, the high priests, and the scribes. Then he would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised. ²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God be merciful to you, Lord! This must never happen to you!”

²³ But Jesus^[a] turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense^[b] to me, because you are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts!”

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, pick up his cross, and follow me continuously. ²⁵ Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it, ²⁶ because what profit will a person have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? ²⁷ The Son of Man is going to come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay everyone according to what he has done. ²⁸ I tell all of you^[c] with certainty, some people standing here will not experience^[d] death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Jesus’ Appearance is Changed^(B)

17 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ² His appearance was changed in front of them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. ³ Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.^[e]

⁴ Then Peter told Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here! If you want, I’ll set up three shelters^[f]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁵ He was still speaking when a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them.

A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him. Keep on listening to him!”

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

⁷ But Jesus came up to them and touched them, saying, “Get up, and stop being afraid.” ⁸ When they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus all by himself.

⁹ On their way down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Don’t tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

¹⁰ So the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹ He answered them, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things. ¹² But I tell you that Elijah has already come, yet people^[g] did not recognize him and treated him just as they pleased. In the same way, the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he had been speaking to them about John the Baptist.