Matthew 17

The Transfiguration

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, Matthew 17:1–2

On a high mountain Jesus is transfigured, and Peter, James, and John see His divine glory shining through.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 9:2-3 — the Transfiguration
• a parallel account in Luke 9:28-29 — the Transfiguration
• the same event in 2 Peter 1:16-18 — Peter's eyewitness memory of the holy mount
• alludes to Exodus 34:29 — Moses' face shone on the mount
• alluded to by D&C 63:21 — the pattern shown unto mine apostles upon the mount

Moses and Elias with the Lord

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Matthew 17:3–4

Moses (the law) and Elias (the prophets) appear and talk with Jesus, showing that the law and the prophets bear witness of Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Luke 9:30-31 — they spoke of his decease at Jerusalem

My Beloved Son

Beloved Son — the Father's Only Begotten Son

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. Matthew 17:5

From the bright cloud God the Father testifies of His Beloved Son and commands the disciples to listen to Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 3:17 — the Father's voice at the baptism
• the same event in 2 Peter 1:17 — the voice from the excellent glory
• the same title in Joseph Smith—History 1:17 — This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!
• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:7 — Behold my Beloved Son... hear ye him
• alludes to Deuteronomy 18:15 — the Prophet like Moses — unto him ye shall hearken

Jesus only

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. Matthew 17:6–8

Jesus gently touches the frightened disciples and lifts them up; when the vision ends, they see Jesus only.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

Resurrection foretold

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. Matthew 17:9

Jesus tells the three apostles to keep the vision secret until after He, the Son of Man, has risen from the dead.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 9:9 — till the Son of man were risen

Son of Man who must suffer

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? Matthew 17:10–13

Jesus teaches that as the forerunner John was rejected and killed, the Son of Man will also suffer at the hands of the same people.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Malachi 4:5 — Elijah to come before the day of the Lord
• a parallel account in Mark 9:11-13 — Elias is come

Jesus heals the lunatic son

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Matthew 17:14–21

A father pleads with the Lord for his son, and Jesus casts out the devil, then teaches that faith, prayer, and fasting bring such power.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 9:14-29 — the boy with an evil spirit

Betrayal, death, and Resurrection foretold

And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: Matthew 17:22–23

Jesus again foretells that He will be betrayed, killed, and raised on the third day, and the disciples are deeply saddened.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 9:31 — second prophecy of the Passion
• fulfilled by Matthew 26:45 — the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners
• fulfilled by Matthew 28:6 — He is risen, as he said

The King's Son, free of the temple tax

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? Matthew 17:24–27

The tribute was the temple tax paid to God. Jesus implies that as the Son of the King whose house the temple is, He owes nothing, yet He pays it miraculously so as not to give offense.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him