The Transfiguration
Study note
On a high mountain, Jesus' divine glory breaks through his human form as his face shines like the sun and his clothes become white as light. Moses and Elijah appear with him, representing the Law and the Prophets that Jesus fulfills. The Father's voice from the cloud repeats the affirmation from Jesus' baptism, adding the command, 'Listen to him.' The discussion about Elijah on the way down confirms that John the Baptist fulfilled that prophetic role, and that the Son of man will similarly suffer.
1 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him. He led them up a tall mountain where they could be alone. And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 Before their eyes, Jesus was completely transformed. His face started blazing like the sun, and his clothes turned dazzling white, bright as light itself. And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 Then, out of nowhere, Moses and Elias appeared. They began talking with Jesus. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Peter blurted out, "Lord, this is amazing! If you want, I will set up three shelters here — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elias." 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 He was still talking when a bright cloud moved in and covered them all. A voice boomed out of the cloud: "This is my Son, and I love him dearly. He fills me with joy. Listen to what he says!" 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 When the followers heard that voice, they hit the ground face-first, terrified. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7 Jesus walked over, touched them, and said, "Get up. There is nothing to be afraid of." And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 They lifted their heads and looked around — Jesus was the only one there. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
9 On the way back down the mountain, Jesus told them, "Do not tell anyone what you saw. Wait until the Son of man has risen from the dead." 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 His followers asked him, "Then how come the religious teachers insist that Elias has to show up first?" And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
11 Jesus said, "You are right that Elias comes first and gets everything back in order." And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
12 "But I tell you: Elias has already come. The people did not recognize him and did whatever they wanted to him. In the same way, the Son of man is going to suffer at their hands." 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 it dawned on his followers that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
Healing the Demon-Possessed Boy
Study note
Descending from the mountain of glory, Jesus encounters a desperate father whose demon-possessed son suffers seizures that throw him into fire and water. The disciples' inability to cast out the demon prompts Jesus' lament about faithlessness. After healing the boy, Jesus teaches that even mustard-seed faith can move mountains, but this kind of spiritual battle specifically requires prayer and fasting -- disciplines that deepen dependence on God's power.
14 When they got back down to the crowd, a man rushed up to Jesus and fell on his knees. And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 He begged, "Lord, please have mercy on my son. He has terrible seizures, and they are destroying him. He keeps falling into the fire or into water." Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 "I brought him to your followers, but they were not able to heal him." And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Jesus replied, "What a stubborn generation with no faith! How much longer do I need to stay here with you? How much longer must I put up with this? Bring the boy over to me." 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 Jesus spoke sharply to the demon, and it left the boy instantly. From that very moment, the child was well. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Later, when they were alone, the followers asked Jesus, "Why couldn't we drive that demon out?" Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief. For truly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing shall be impossible for you." 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 "But this particular kind of spirit will only come out through prayer and fasting." Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Second Passion Prediction and the Temple Tax
Study note
Jesus again predicts his betrayal, death, and resurrection, causing the disciples deep sorrow. The chapter closes with an unexpected lesson about the temple tax. Jesus affirms that as God's Son, he is technically exempt from the temple tax -- just as kings' children do not pay their own taxes. Yet to avoid giving offense, he provides the tax through a coin found in a fish's mouth, modeling a willingness to surrender personal rights for the sake of others.
22 They were going through Galilee. Jesus told them, "The Son of man will soon be handed over. People want to hurt him." And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
23 "They will kill him, but on the third day he will come back to life." His followers were heartbroken when they heard this. And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
24 When they arrived in Capernaum, the men who collected the temple tax approached Peter. They asked, "Your teacher pays the temple tax, doesn't he?" And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 Peter said, "Of course he does." When Peter went inside the house, Jesus brought up the subject before Peter could say anything. He asked, "What is your take on this, Simon? When earthly kings collect taxes and fees, do they charge their own children or other people?" 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 answered, "Other people." Jesus said, "Exactly — so the children don't have to pay." Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 "But we don't want to create a problem. So go down to the lake and throw in a fishing line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and inside you will find a coin worth enough to cover the tax for both of us. Take it and pay our tax." 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.