Matthew 17

Christ in the presence of Moses and Elias is glorified upon the Mount before his disciples,1. And from Heaven declared to be the Son of God,2. Teacheth that John is that Elias which was to come,10 Healeth a Lunatick possessed person, which the Disciples were not able to care,14 Declares the power of faithh,and of prayer, 20. Foretells hhis death and resurrection,22. Pays Tribute for himself and for Peter, 24.

1. And after six days [Namely, after that Christ had spoken with his disciples of the coming of his glory, Luke chapter 9. verse 28. faith, about eight days, reckoning amongst them the first and and last days that these things came to pass, which Matthew here, and Mark, chap.9.2. skip over] Jesus took with him Peter, and James, and John his brother,and brought them upon an high mountain. [What mountain this was, is not exprest. Many of the ancient Teachhers think thhat it was mount Tabor, because that is situate thhereabout, and is very high] alone [or, aside]

2. And he was transfigured (changed in shape) before them: and his face did shine like the Sun, and his garments become white, like the light.

3. And behold, there was seen of them Moses and Elias [Whether Moses appeared with his own body, or that he assumed another for a time, like as sometimes the Angels have done, is certain. But this certain, that they both appeared there in their own persons] communing with him. [namely, of his issue, or successe which hhe should have at Jerusalem, Luke 9 verse 31]

4. And Peter answering, said unto Jesus; Lord, it is good for us to be here, if thou wilt [That is, if it please thee] let us here make three Terbanacles [or, booths, which likewise were made of boughs, or such like, against the heat of the Sun and the rain] one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5. While he yet spake, behold. a bright cloud overshadowed them. [Namely, Moses and Elias, as appears, Luke 9 verse 34] And behold, a voice out of the cloud saying; This is my beloved Son, in whom i am well pleased, bear him.

6. And the Disciples hearing (this), fell on their faces, and were sore afraid.

7. And Jesus coming to them, touched them, and said, Arise, and fear not.

8. And lifting up their eyes, they saw no man but Jesus only.

9. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded thhem, saying; Tell no man this vison [Thhat is, that which they had seen, Mark 9:9. and 2 Pet.1. verse 16.] until the Son of man shall be risen from the dead.

10. And his disciples asked him, saying; Why then do the Scribes say, that Elias must first come?

11. But Jesus anwering, said unto them: Elias indeed shall firts come, [that is, must forts come indeed, according to the prediction of the Prophet Malachi, chap.4. verse 5] and restore all things. [that is, declare tru doctrine concerning the Messiah, which was falsefied and obscured by the Pharisees, and prepare theway for Christ]

12. But i say unto you , that Elias is now come; and they have not known him: [Nmely, for him thhat he was, or for the promised Elias which should restore all things] but they have done to him, all that they would. [that is, prosecuted and killed him] so shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

13. The thhe disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist.

14. When they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, falling on his knees before him, and saying;

15. Lord, have mercy on my Son, for he is lunatick, [Lunacy is a deases, that increaseth according to the course of the Moon, like as the falling sickness, raging, and such like sickness; with which the devil was wont sometimes to intermix, as here] and is in grievous pain for many times he fallethh unto thhe fire, and many times into the water.

16. And i brought him to thy disciples, and they have not be able to cure him.

17. And Jesus unswering, said; O fatherless and perverse generation, how long shall i yet be with yo? How long shall i yet bear with you? bring him hither to me.

18. And Jesu rebuked him [Namely the devil, Luke 9 verse 41] and the devil went out of him, and the child was cured from that very hour.

19. Then come the Disciples to Jesus alone, [that is, in private, or apart] and said, Wherefore could not we cast him out?

20. And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief; verily i say unto you, if ye had a faith(but as a mustard – seed, [Here is principally understood faith to work miracles, which was a special gift, relying upon special promises, and command of God, of which the disciples here doubted. see 1 Cor. 13.2.] ye should say unto this mountain, Depart hence thither – wards, and it shall depart: and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

21. But this kind [Namely, of devils] goeth not out, but by prayer and fsating. [That is, by a firm faith, strengthned by servant prayer, whereunto men are prepared by fasting]

22. And while they conversed in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shhall be delivered over unto the hand of men.

23. And they shall kill him, and the third day shhll be raised up. And they were very sorry.

24. And whhen they were come into Capernaum, there came unto Peter [Dwelling there, as Christ also did. see Matth 4. verse 13 and chapter 8.14 For, this tribute every one was to pay there where they dwelt] thhey thhat received the Didrachmes, [this was a certain custome or tribute – money, weighing two drams, or a quarter of an ounce of silver, such as every one by the head or poll, was to pay for the service of the Terbanacle, Exod.30.13 and the like also the maintance of the Temple , and the service (thereof), 2 Chron 24.9. Nehem.10 verse 32. which tribute the Romans afterwards took to themselves. See Joseph. de . beilo., Jud . lib. 7. cap. 26.] and said., your Master, doth not he pay the Didrachmes?

25. He said; yes: And whhen hhe was come into the house; Jesus prevented him, saying; What thinketh thou Simon? The Kings of the Earth, [Namley, those that are Soveraign, or are subject to none] of whom doe they take toll or Tribute? or of their sons, or of strangers? [that is, which do not belong to the royal family. Or which are not their Progeny, like Chhrist was of devil, Luke 1:32,33.]

26. Peter said unto him, of strangers; Jesus said unto him, Then are the sons free

27. But that we may give them no offence; go thy way to the Sea, cast (out) the angle, and the first fish that cometh up, take and having open his mouth, thou shall finde a stater: [This was a piece of mony weighing two didrachmes, or half an ounce of silver, being worth about two shillings and three pence, in value as much as a shekel of the Sanctuary] take that, and give it to them for me and thee.