1The transfiguration of Christ: 10he instructeth his disciples concerning the coming of Elias: 14healeth the lunatic, 22foretelleth his own passion, 24and payeth tribute.
1AND aftera1six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high 2mountain 3apart,
a Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28; 2 Peter 1:17.
1 Namely, after that Christ had spoken with His disciples of the future of His glory. Luke 9:28 says: about eight days, reckoning amongst them the first and last days that these things came to pass, which Matthew here and Mark, in Mark 9:2, skip over.
2 Which mountain this was, is not expressed. Many of the ancient teachers think that it was Mount Tabor, because it is situated near there and is very high.
3 Or, aside.
2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3And, behold, there appeared unto them 4Moses and Elias 5talking with him.
4 Whether Moses appeared with his own body, or that he assumed another for a time, as sometimes the angels have done, is uncertain. But this is certain, that they both appeared there in their own persons.
5 Namely, of His decease, which He would have at Jerusalem, Luke 9:31.
4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: 6if thou wilt, let us make here three 7tabernacles;b one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 That is, if it pleaseth Thee.
7 Or, booths, which likewise were made of boughs, or such like, against the heat of the sun and the rain.
b tent, dwelling*
5While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed 8them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, Thisc is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; heard ye him.
8 Namely, Moses and Elijah, as appears, Luke 9:34.
c Isa. 42:1; Mat. 3:17; Mark 1:11; 9:7; Luke 3:22; 9:35; Col. 1:13; 2 Peter 1:17.
d Deut. 18:19; Acts 3:22.
6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
7And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
9Ande as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the 9vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
e Mark 9:9; Luke 9:36.
9 That is, that which they had seen, Mark 9:9 and 2 Peter 1:16.
10Andf his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Eliasg must first come?
f Mark 9:11.
g Mal. 4:5; Mat. 11:14; Mark 9:11.
11And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly 10shall first come, and 11restore all things.
10 That is, must first come indeed, according to the prophesy of the prophet Malachi, Mal. 4:5.
11 That is, declare the true doctrine concerning the Messiah, which was falsified and obscured by the Pharisees, and prepare the way for Christ.
12But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they 12knew him not, but have done unto him 13whatsoever they listed.h Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
12 Namely, for him who he is, or for the promised Elijah who would restore all things.
13 That is, prosecuted and killed.
h chose, pleased
13Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
14¶Andi when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
i Mark 9:16; Luke 9:37.
15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is 14lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
14 Lunacy is a disease which increases according to the course of the moon, as the falling, raging and similar sicknesses with which the devil was wont sometimes to intermix, as occurred here.
16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17Then 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.
18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and 15he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
15 Namely, the devil, Luke 9:42.
19Thenj came the disciples to Jesus 16apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
j Mark 9:28.
16 That is, in private or alone.
20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: fork verily I say unto you, If ye have 17faith 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.
k Mat. 21:21; Luke 17:6.
17 Here is principally understood a 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.
21Howbeit 18this kind goeth not out but by 19prayer and fasting.
18 Namely, of devils.
19 That is, by a firm faith, strengthened by fervent prayer, whereunto men are prepared by fasting.
22¶Andl while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
l Mat. 16:21; 20:18; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33; Luke 9:22, 44; 18:31.
23And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
24¶And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received 20tribute moneym came to 21Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
20 This was a certain assessment or tribute money, weighing two drams, or a quarter of an ounce of silver, such as everyone, individually, was to pay for the service of the tabernacle, Exod. 30:13, and the like also for the maintenance of the temple and the service (thereof), 2 Chron. 24:9; Neh. 10:32, which tribute the Romans afterwards took to themselves. See Josephus, de bello, Jud. lib. 7, cap. 27.
m (Gr. didrachmon) 2 days’ wages; $0.32
21 Because he had his house there, as Christ also did. See Mat. 4:13; 8:14. For, this tribute everyone was to pay there where he dwelt.
25He saith, Yes.n And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do 22the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of 23strangers?
n Mat. 22:21; Rom. 13:7.
22 Namely, those who are sovereign, or are subject to none.
23 That is, who do not belong to the royal family. Or, who are not of their progeny, as Christ was of David’s, Luke 1:32.
26Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27Notwithstanding, 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 24money:o that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
24 This was a piece of money 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.
o (Gr. stater) 4 days’ wages; $0.64.