Frameworks: Matthew's Gospel, chapter 17

 

(The objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)

    

FRAMEWORKS: Matthew, chapter 17

v.1-13 The Transfiguration

v.14-20 Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

v.22,23 Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

v.24-27 Peter & Temple Tax

    

v.1-13 The Transfiguration

 

v.1 (Jesus the ‘inner three' with him up the mountain) After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

v.2 (there he appears ultra-bright) There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

v.3 (then appear Moses & Elijah) Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

v.4 (Peter suggests making shelter for each of them) Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

v.5 (God speaks audibly) While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

v.6 (this terrifies the three disciples) When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.

v.7 (Jesus reassures them) But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don't be afraid.”

v.8 (there is no one there except Jesus) When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

v.9 (Jesus instructs, don't tell of this for now) As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

v.10 (the disciples ask about the teaching about Elijah coming) The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

v.11 (Yes replies that yes, he will come) Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.

v.12 (but in fac he has already) But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”

v.13 (they realise he is talking about John the Baptist) Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

  

  

v.14-20 Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy

 

v.14 (back down the mountain they are greeted by a man) When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.

v.15 (he tells of his possessed son) “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water.

v.16 (the disciples there obviously couldn't help) I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

v.17 (Jesus chides them) “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

v.18 (Jesus delivers him) Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.

v.19 (the disciples enquire why they were powerless) Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn't we drive it out?”

v.20 (lack of faith, replies Jesus, you can anything if you have a little bit) He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

  

  

v.22,23 Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

 

v.22,23 (back in Galilee he against warns them what is coming) When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

   

  

v.24-27 Peter & Temple Tax

 

v.24 (back in Capernaum, tax collectors approach Peter) After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?”

v.25 (Peter affirms Jesus pays the temple tax but Jesus picks him up on this) “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”

v.26 (Peter answers Jesus' query) “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.

v.27 (Jesus tells him how to satisfy the tax collectors through a miracle of provision) “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”