Matthew 17
17:1 a Peter ... James and John later accompanied Jesus at Gethsemane (26:37 b; 2 Pet 1:16-19 c).• It is impossible to determine the exact location of this high mountain. The traditional site, Mount Tabor, is only about 1,900 feet (580 meters) high and is out of the way for a trip from Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13 d) to Capernaum (17:24 e). Mount Hermon, another possibility, is about 9,200 feet (2,800 meters) high and located in Syria, forty miles north of Capernaum. It is unlikely, however, that “teachers of religious law” (Mark 9:14 f) would have congregated at the foot of a mountain in Gentile territory. A strong candidate is Mount Meron, about 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) high and situated between Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum.
17:2 g Jesus’ appearance was transformed: Jesus’ inner, divine nature, previously veiled, was now disclosed so that the three caught a glimpse of his glory (see Exod 34:29-35 h; Ps 104:2 i; 2 Cor 3:12-18 j; Rev 1:16 k). Jesus’ followers will one day share in this glory (Matt 13:43 l).
17:3 m Moses symbolizes the law and Elijah the prophets. They appeared as witnesses to Christ, to demonstrate that Jesus, God’s Son, is the fulfillment of everything written in the Law and the Prophets (see 5:17-20 n; 11:2-6 o; 12:28 p).
17:4 q three shelters as memorials: Peter probably thought that the Kingdom was about to be ushered in with full glory (cp. Acts 1:6 r), and he desired to memorialize the moment.
17:5 s a bright cloud overshadowed them: Such an occurrence accompanied God’s presence among the ancient Israelites during Moses’ ministry (see Exod 24:15-18 t; 25:8 u; 29:45-46 v; 40:34-38 w).
• my dearly loved Son: The Father was confirming what Peter had previously affirmed (Matt 16:16-17 x).
• They should listen to him because Jesus is God’s Son, who, as a prophet, reveals God’s will (11:27 y; see Deut 18:15 z, 18 aa; Acts 3:22-23 ab; 7:37 ac).
Summary for Matt 17:6-7: 17:6-7 ad Such a response is typical for encounters with God’s glory (e.g., Isa 6:5 ae; Dan 8:17 af; 10:9 ag, 15-19 ah; Rev 1:17 ai).
17:9 aj Jesus could not be fully understood until all of his work was accomplished, particularly his death and resurrection.
Summary for Matt 17:10-13: 17:10-13 ak Elijah’s presence at the transfiguration prompted a question about the view that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes (see Mal 4:5-6 al). In pointing to John the Baptist, Jesus reinforced the unexpected idea that the Messiah must suffer, even as his precursor had suffered (Matt 14:3-12 am).
17:17 an faithless and corrupt people: The expression is often used for moral depravity (see Deut 32:5 ao, 19-22 ap). Normally, this exclamation of Jesus was directed at the unbelieving Jewish crowds or leaders who refuse to acknowledge God’s presence in him (see Matt 12:39 aq). Here, however, it was a sharp criticism of his disciples’ failure to trust Jesus and his saving, healing power.
17:20 ar Here, the expression don’t have enough faith is virtually synonymous with no faith.
• faith even as small as a mustard seed: This could mean that if the disciples had even very little faith they would be able to accomplish great things (21:21 as; cp. 1 Cor 13:2 at). It could also mean that if they would allow their faith to grow (see Matt 13:31-32 au), they could act with courageous belief.
• Moving mountains is an adage for overcoming obstacles and fulfilling God’s purposes (Isa 40:4 av; 49:11 aw; 54:10 ax; 1 Cor 13:2 ay).
17:22 az betrayed: See Matt 20:18 ba; 26:14-16 bb, 45-49 bc for the fulfillment of this prediction.
17:24 bd Every adult citizen of Israel was required to pay the Temple tax of one-half shekel. In Jesus’ day, priests and some rabbis did not pay the tax.
• Peter was the spokesman for the Twelve (see 10:2 be).
Summary for Matt 17:25-26: 17:25-26 bf As an obedient Jew, Jesus would have paid the tax annually, and he did pay it. Jesus’ point was that as God’s Son, he is greater than the Temple (12:5-6 bg), and he makes a decisive break with it (see 16:18-19 bh; 21:33-46 bi).
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