Matthew 17: Glory on the Mountain
Jesus is transfigured in dazzling glory, then comes down to heal a boy and teach faith.
Matthew 17 (WEB)
1 After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
4 Peter answered, and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.
7 Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”
8 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
10 His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things,
12 but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”
13 Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.
14 When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him, saying,
15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic, and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.
16 So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”
17 Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
18 Jesus rebuked him, the demon went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”
20 He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.
21 But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”
22 While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,
23 and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.
24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?”
25 He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
26 Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.
27 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin.Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
Matthew 17 (KJV)
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then 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.
5 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.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
9 And 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.
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
12 But 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.
13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then 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.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And 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.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He 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?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, 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.
Matthew 17 (ASV)
1 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:
2 and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
3 And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.
4 And Peter answered, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, I will make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
5 While he was yet speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 And Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, save Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen from the dead.
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?
11 And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:
12 but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.
13 Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is epileptic, and suffereth grievously; for oft-times he falleth into the fire, and oft-times into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 And 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 hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast it out?
20 And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: 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.
21 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men;
22 and they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were exceeding sorry.
23 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received the half-shekel came to Peter, and said, Doth not your teacher pay the half-shekel?
24 He saith, Yea. And when he came into the house, Jesus spake first to him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive toll or tribute? from their sons, or from strangers?
25 And when he said, From strangers, Jesus said unto him, Therefore the sons are free.
26 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go thou to the sea, and cast a hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a shekel: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
Summary
Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where he is transfigured before them; his face shines like the sun and his clothing becomes white as light. Moses and Elijah appear and talk with him. Peter offers to build three tents, but a bright cloud overshadows them and the Father's voice declares Jesus his beloved Son and commands them to listen to him. The terrified disciples are raised up by Jesus, who tells them to keep the vision quiet until he has risen. Coming down, Jesus heals a boy the disciples could not help and teaches that faith like a mustard seed moves mountains. He again foretells his death and resurrection, and provides the temple tax through a coin in a fish's mouth.
Main Characters
- Jesus — The beloved Son revealed in glory, who heals the afflicted boy and foretells his death and rising.
- Peter, James, and John — The three disciples who witness the transfiguration and fall in fear at the Father's voice.
- The Father — Speaks from the bright cloud, naming Jesus his beloved Son and commanding the disciples to listen to him.
- Moses and Elijah — The law and the prophets, appearing in glory to talk with Jesus on the mountain.
- The boy's father — A man who kneels begging mercy for his suffering son after the disciples could not cure him.
Key Verse
Matthew 17:5 (WEB)
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Lessons Learned
- The Father commands us to listen to his beloved Son above every other voice.
- Jesus' glory and his coming suffering belong together; the cross is the road to resurrection.
- Even small faith, rightly placed in God, accomplishes what unbelief calls impossible.
- When we are afraid and on our faces, Jesus comes near, touches us, and lifts us up.
- God reveals his Son's true glory to strengthen our trust. On the mountain Jesus' face shone like the sun and his garments became white as light (Matthew 17:2, WEB).
- The Father directs every disciple to one authority. The voice from the cloud said of Jesus, 'Listen to him' (Matthew 17:5, WEB).
- Jesus meets fear with gentle nearness. Jesus came and touched them and said, 'Get up, and don't be afraid' (Matthew 17:7, WEB).
- Small faith in a great God is enough. If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20, WEB).
- The path to glory runs through the cross. Jesus foretold, 'they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up' (Matthew 17:23, WEB).
- Christ provides for our obligations. He told Peter to find a coin in the fish's mouth and give it for both of them (Matthew 17:27, WEB).
- What does the Father's voice from the cloud reveal about who Jesus is and how we should respond?
- Why do you think Peter wanted to build three tents, and what did the Father's words correct?
- How does Jesus' teaching about mustard-seed faith reframe what we count as impossible?
- Where in your own life are you trying to obey or trust without first listening to Jesus?
- What helps you 'get up and not be afraid' when you feel overwhelmed by holy things or hard circumstances?
- The voice names Jesus 'my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,' and commands 'Listen to him' (v.5), revealing Jesus as God's Son and our final authority; invite the group to name voices that compete with his.
- Peter wanted to honor the moment, but by proposing three equal tents he risked leveling Jesus with Moses and Elijah; the Father's words single out Jesus alone as the One to be heard (vv.4-8).
- Jesus says even mustard-seed faith tells a mountain to move (v.20); the issue is not the size of our faith but the greatness of the God we trust. Ask the group what they have wrongly filed under 'impossible.'
- This is a personal application question. Encourage honest sharing without pressure; let people consider one decision they are making while skipping the step of sitting under Jesus' words.
- This is a personal application question. There is no single right answer; invite people to recall Jesus' touch and word in v.7, and to name practices (Scripture, prayer, community) that quiet their fear.