Today we will study Matthew 17. So, let’s get started and verse 1 reads.
Matthew 17
[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.
Transfigured is G3339 in your Strongs, and in the Greek is metamorphoo, where we get our word metamorphosis. It means to change into another form. To translate, or transform into.
After Jesus was transfigured, then Moses and Elijah came. Moses, the law giver. And Elijah, the prophet of prophets. These two I believe will be the Sons of Oil prophesied in Revelations 11:3-7. Zec.4:3. This is why they were asking John the Baptist if he was Elijah. So, they knew scripture and were afraid. But maybe soon we’ll cover that in a Sunday lecture. But for right now know that Jesus, Moses and Elijah are in transfigured bodies standing before them. And Matthew continues.
Mat.17:4] 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.
Peter recognized Moses and Elijah. Hmm. Will we recognize them when they come just before the 6th.trump. I think this just comforted us with that answer.
Mat.17:5] 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.
Who could stand before God when He speaks. It is an awesome event to witness. Also, God said “hear ye him” are you blessed with ears to hear?
Mat.17:7] 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.
In Daniel he speaks of this. Let’s read Dan.8:18-19 and it reads.
Dan.8:18] Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
[19] And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
Now in these end times we are given the two Sons of Oil, and they will give truth and support to God’s elect. Back to Matthew and it reads.
Mat.17:9] 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?
Elias is Greek for Elijah. And Elijah does come but with Moses, as we just read.
[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.
Remember when they asked John if he was Elijah. And he said No. They beheaded him and crucified our Lord. They being the Kenites. Verses 1-13 is known as the betrayal. More on this later. Back to Matthew.
Mat.17:14] 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.
Lunatick is G4583 to be moonstruck or crazy. But when we hear anything of the moon, we should know that this is of Satan. For all prophesies of moons are given for Satan.
Mat.17:16] 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.
Its not that Jesus was impatient with them. But that the devil was about them, and all that is needed for any man is to be in the word of the Lord. And Satan can’t touch you.
[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.
This mountain is nation. And if you have faith, then you can move a nation in the direction of the Lord. Verses 14-20 are considered The Burial.
Mat.17:21] Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
Remember chapter 4 when Jesus was tempted by Satan, he fasted and prayed 40 days and was an hungered. And rebuked him. Never argue with Satan, just rebuke him, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Mat.17:22] 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.
Again, Jesus tells them they are going to crucify him. But on the third day He shall rise again. And they were sorry? Faith. Gods word will happen exactly as it is written.
Mat.17:24] 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.
The Kingdom will come again. And we shall be free. This is what Jesus was telling Peter here. Always pay your taxes, you can’t do Gods work if you’re in jail. Now verses 21-27 are considered the Resurrection. So, what we have here is Jesus will be Betrayed, Buried, and will Rise Again. Kind of an Acrostic, none the less very interesting. Let’s go to His throne.
Father, we thank you for your word. We ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name. Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible