Matthew 17 Study Notes
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17:1-8 The reference to six days indicates the rapidity of the fulfillment of Jesus’s promise in Mt 16:28, but it also may draw a parallel between Jesus’s transfiguration and God’s revelation of himself to Moses in Ex 24:13-18. Other parallels include the reference to a cloud, a brilliant light, a mountain, and the separation of a small number of men from the larger group. Moses’s face shone brilliantly after he met with God (Ex 34:29-35), so Jesus’s transfiguration serves to identify him as the new Moses. This seems confirmed by the words listen to him which echo Dt 18:15, a text from the prophet-like-Moses prophecy (Dt 18:15-19). On the new Moses theme, see notes at Mt 2:15 and 2:16. However, the description of Jesus transcends OT descriptions of the glorified Moses. In Ex 34:29-35, only Moses’s face was radiant and this radiance was concealed by his veil. Jesus’s face had radiance too glorious to conceal and his clothes became as white as the light. The description of Jesus parallels the description of the Ancient of Days in Dn 7:9-10 and shows that Jesus possessed the glory of his Father (Mt 16:27).
The presence of Moses and Elijah indicates that the necessary conditions for Messiah’s coming had been fulfilled (v. 10; Dt 18:15-19; Mal 4:5). Peter’s request to build shelters unjustly suggested equal treatment for Jesus and his guests. The Father’s voice from heaven showed Jesus’s superiority to Moses and Elijah. Jesus is God’s beloved Son and the focus of true disciples. God spoke from heaven only twice in Matthew, both times to express his love for Jesus and his delight in his works (v. 5; 3:17). On the meaning of “Son,” see note at 3:17. The disciples’ reaction is understandable, for the OT shows that direct encounters with God inspire fright (e.g., Is 6:1-5).
17:9 The disciples could report the transfiguration only after the resurrection when the nature of Jesus’s messianic reign became clear.
17:10-13 The view of the scribes was prompted by Mal 4:5. John the Baptist was the fulfillment of the Elijah prophecy since his ministry had many similarities to Elijah’s. See notes at Mt 3:1,4 and 11:13-15.
17:14-16 Like the magi (2:11), the leper (8:2), the father of the deceased daughter (9:18), and Jesus’s disciples (14:33), this father worshiped Jesus (cp. 4:10). The seizures were probably the result of epilepsy. Epilepsy is distinguished from demon possession in Mt 4:24. However, Jesus recognized in this rare instance that the seizures were the result of demonic activity. The apparent suicidal tendencies described in v. 15 show the destructive influence of demons.
metamorphoo
| Greek pronunciation | [meh tah mohr FAH oh] |
| CSB translation | transfigure |
| Uses in Matthew | 1 (Mk, 1) |
| Uses in the NT | 4 |
| Focus passage | Matthew 17:2 |
Metamorphoo means to change or transform and occurs only in the passive (to be changed, transformed, or transfigured) in the NT. Metamorphoo may refer to outward physical change (e.g., Jesus’s transfiguration) or to an inward spiritual transformation. Jesus was transfigured (Mt 17:1-2 = Mk 9:2) on the “holy mountain” (2Pt 1:18) while Peter, James, and John looked on. He temporarily assumed the form of his heavenly glory, permitting his disciples to see him as he will appear in his kingdom. Paul employs metamorphoo in reference to the inward spiritual transformation occurring in Christians. As believers gaze upon the Lord’s glory, they are transformed into his image through the work of the Spirit (2Co 3:18), reattaining the fullness of the divine image, which they shared at creation. On the basis of their status in Christ, Paul commands believers to be inwardly transformed through the renewing of their minds (Rm 12:2).
17:17-18 Jesus’s description of his own disciples as an unbelieving and perverse generation is similar to his description of the Jewish leaders who rejected him (11:16; 12:39,45).
17:19-21 Moving a mountain was a metaphor for accomplishing an impossible task (1Co 13:2). Nothing that Christ authorizes his followers to do will be impossible.
17:22-23 This is Jesus’s second major prediction of his death since Peter’s confession in 16:13-20 (see 16:21). Each prediction adds additional details. This prophecy adds that Jesus will be thrust into the hands of men by an act of betrayal.
17:24 On Capernaum, see note at 4:13. The temple tax was collected from every Jewish male over the age of twenty and used for the upkeep of the Jerusalem temple (Ex 30:13; 38:25-26; Josephus, Ant. 18.9.1; War 7.6.6). This episode is recorded only in Matthew and provides evidence for the pre-AD 70 date of Matthew.
17:25-26 Because Jesus’s disciples were children of the true King, they were exempt from the obligation to support the temple. This had enormous implications for Jewish Christians. If temple taxes were no longer obligatory, sacrifices and other offerings were also now optional.
17:27 Though Jesus insisted that the temple tax was not obligatory for his disciples, he gladly paid it to avoid offending his fellow Jews. His action provided an important model for believers who dealt with issues of ritual later in the early church (Rm 14:13-23). Several ancient texts refer to fishermen discovering valuable items inside fish. Through supernatural knowledge, Jesus knew that a nearby fish had swallowed an amount of money that was sufficient to pay the tax. He also exercised authority over nature, ensuring that the fish would take the bait Peter offered.