Matthew 17:1-27, NLT
Matthew 17
The Transfiguration
1Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.
4Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials*17:4 Greek three tabernacles.—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.”
7Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
9As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man*17:9 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself. has been raised from the dead.”
10Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?*17:10 Greek that Elijah must come first?”
11Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready.
Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy
14At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said,
17Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”
19Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”
20“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.*17:20 Some manuscripts add verse 21, But this kind of demon won’t leave except by prayer and fasting. Compare Mark 9:29.”
Jesus Again Predicts His Death
22After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.
Payment of the Temple Tax
24On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax*17:24 Greek the two-drachma [tax]; also in 17:24b. See Exod 30:13-16; Neh 10:32-33. came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”
25“Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.
But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter?*17:25a Greek Simon? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?*17:25b Greek their sons or others?”
26“They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!