Matthew 17

Evangelical Heritage Version

The Transfiguration

17 Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James; and he led them up onto a high mountain by themselves. ² There he was transfigured in front of them. His face was shining like the sun. His clothing became as white as the light. ³ Just then, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them. Just then, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell face down and were terrified. ⁷ Jesus approached and as he touched them, he said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” ⁸ When they opened their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus alone. ⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

¹⁰ His disciples asked him, “Then why do the experts in the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹ Jesus answered them, “Yes, Elijah is coming and will restore all things,^{[a] 12} but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. Instead they did to him whatever they desired. In the same way the Son of Man will also suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus Heals a Boy With a Demon

¹⁴ When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt in front of him. ¹⁵ “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son because he has seizures and is suffering terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. ¹⁶ I brought him to your disciples, but they were not able to cure him.”

¹⁷ Jesus answered, “O unbelieving and perverse generation! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” ¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of the boy, and he was cured from that hour.

¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why were we unable to drive it out?”

²⁰ He said to them, “Because of your little faith.^[b] Amen I tell you: If you have faith like a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. ²¹ But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”^[c]

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection Again

²² While they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men. ²³ They will kill him, but on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed.

A Coin in a Fish’s Mouth

²⁴ When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax^[d] came to Peter and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” ²⁵ He said, “Yes.”

When he came into the house, Jesus spoke first, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect tolls or a tax? From their own sons or from others?”

²⁶ Peter said to him, “From others.”

Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt. ²⁷ But, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that you pull up. When you open its mouth, you will find a silver coin.^[e] Take that coin and give it to them for me and for you.”