Matthew 17: Transfiguration and Healing of the Possessed Boy

Matthew 17: Transfiguration and Healing of the Possessed Boy

Collin Leong. 29/4/2025

(v1-13) The Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-21)

(v1-3)  Six days later,  Jesus took Peter, James and John (the brother of James) to a high mountain. There Jesus was transfigured, where His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light. Then Moses and Elijah appeared, talking to Jesus. 

"Transfiguration" refers to a complete change in form or appearance, often into something more beautiful or spiritual. In this case, Christ transformed into radiant glory the demonstrate his divine nature. 

Luke 9:28-31 gave us more details about that event. It said that Jesus was there praying before His face changed. Moses and Elijah were speaking to Him about his departure, that will be fulfilled in Jerusalem. The "departure" refers to His upcoming death, resurrection, and ascension. The Greek word used here is "exodos", which literally means "exit" or "departure"—the same word used for the Exodus of Israel from Egypt.

Moses and Elijah was chosen by God because they symbolized two key aspects of God's OT revelation:

• Moses represented the Law - he was the one who received the Ten Commandments and freed Israel from slavery. Jesus' "Exodus" would free humanity from sin.
• Elijah represented the Prophets - he was one of the greatest prophets, known for calling Israel back to faith in God. Elijah was taken up to heaven, symbolizing Jesus' future ascension.

Their presence signified that Jesus was the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets.   This matched what Jesus said in Matt 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."   The fulfillment of the OT prophecies enable Jesus to create a New Covenant - the Covenant of Grace.  

(v4-8)  Peter ask Jesus whether they can put up three shelters, for the Moses, Elijah and Him. 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!"   The disciples fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, told them to get up and not to be afraid.  When they look up, they saw no one but Jesus. 

This highlight the personality of Peter - he was impulsive and "speaks before he thinks". In Luke 9:33, it says that the two men were leaving before Peter spoke, and Luke also said that Peter did not know what he was saying! Perhaps, Peter was thinking about the Feast of Tabernacles to celebrate God's presence, and at the same time trying to make them to stay longer for this wonderful event. 

God interrupted Peter as his focus was misplaced. Peter's suggestion, though well-intended, showed that he didn’t fully grasp the divine nature of what was happening. God said that Jesus is His Son, meaning He is much greater than the prophets, while Peter may be thinking that they are equals. Jesus should be sitting on the throne, not in the Tabernacles. They need to listen to Jesus, rather than being led by their own ideas or traditions. 

(v9-13)  On the way down the mountain, Jesus told them not tell anyone what they have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead. 

The disciples asked Jesus, why do the teachers of the law say the Elijah must come first? Jesus replied that Elijah  is coming first and will restore all things; however, Elijah had already came but they did not recognize him. They did to him everything they wish, and in the same way the Son of Man will suffer at their hands. Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. 

The Pharisees have been teaching the Jews that Elijah will come before the Messiah. This is taken from Malachi 4:5 - “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.  

However, this appears to be referring to the end days, during the 7-year tribulation, just before Jesus comes that second time. That's why the two witnesses presented in Revelation 11:3-13 are predicted to be Elijah and Moses. (Moses was mentioned just a verse before Elijah in Malachi 4:4). I think this is why Jesus said "Elijah  is coming first and will restore all things", referring to the tribulation and His second coming. (v11) 

The restoration Jesus spoke of was not just about physical or political renewal, but a spiritual revival -calling people to repentance and preparing them for God's kingdom. 

Then Jesus created a paradox, and said that "Elijah has come already" (v12) referring to John the Baptist who fulfilled this role (Matthew 17:12-13), coming in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17) to prepare the way for His first coming.

(v14-21)  Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy  (Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42; Luke 17:5-10)

(14-16) A man from the crowd knelt before Jesus and plead for mercy with his son, who has seizures and suffering greatly. The son often falls into fire or water. He said he had brought him to the disciples but they could not heal him. 

Mark 9:14-29 gave a more details for this event. It says that the demon spirit had made the boy mute. The demon throws the boy to the ground, and foams came out from his mouth and he gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. He had been infected by the demon since he was a child, and the demon often throw him into fire or water to kill him. 

It seems that the boy is a teenager now since he was possessed since he was a small child. In KJV, the word "seizures" were translated to "lunatic", reflecting the ancient belief that certain illnesses, including epilepsy, were influenced by lunar phases. 

(v17-18)  Jesus criticized the crowd, including his disciple, that they are an unbelieving and perverse generation. He then asked a rhetorical question "How long shall I put up with you?", expressing His disappointment. He asked for the boy and He rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy and he was healed. 

In Mark, there is additional conversation between the father and Jesus. The father said to Jesus: "Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”  Jesus replied "What do you mean 'if I can?'  Anything is possible if a person believes." (NLT).  The father cried out, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!"  

Then Jesus rebuked the demon saying:  “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”  The spirit shrieked and convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked like a corpse and many people think he's dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him and he stood up. 

The father's words show that he believed in Jesus' power, yet he recognized that his faith was not perfect. He was asking Jesus to strengthen his faith and help him overcome any lingering doubts.

This verse is a powerful reminder that faith is not about having absolute certainty, but about trusting God even when doubts arise. Jesus does not rebuke the father for his imperfect faith; instead, He responds with compassion and heals the boy.

This duality echoes through many of our lives. We may find ourselves believing in God’s goodness and grace but sometimes struggle with doubt during difficult times. It’s comforting to know that Jesus does not condemn us for our doubts; instead, He welcomes our honest cries for help.

(v19-20) Then the disciples ask Jesus privately, why they couldn't drive the demon out. Jesus replied that they have very little faith. If they have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can tell the mountain to move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for them. 

Jesus is not saying that faith gives people supernatural control over physical mountains, but rather that faith in God enables believers to overcome obstacles that seem impossible. This teaches that faith is not about quantity but quality—even a tiny amount of true faith can accomplish great things.

(v21)  *This verse is not included in Matthew. Some manuscripts include here words similar to Mark 9:29: "He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer." (NIV)  or  "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (NJK)

Jesus adds on that this kind of demon can only be exorcised with prayer and fasting. This indicated that the disciples never prayed or fast before they try to drive out the demon. It's a good lesson for them and for us!

(v22-23)  Jesus Predicted His Death A Second Time (Mark 9:30-32)

When they get together in Galilee, Jesus said to His disciple that the Son of Man will be delivered into t he hands on men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life. And the disciples were filled with grief. 

The first time Jesus told them about his death, it was in Matthew 16:21. This is the second time. The third time he said it was in Matthew 20:17-19.  When Jesus said the same thing 3 times, we know it is very significant to Him. Also, in numerology, three (3) represents divine completeness, perfection, and wholeness. It was used in the Trinity, His resurrection on the 3rd day, and Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob form the foundation of Israel. The number 3 often appears in moments of divine revelation, transformation, and fulfillment. It emphasizes God’s perfect plan and the completion of His promises.

(v24-27)  The Temple Tax

(24-26)  After Jesus and His disciples arrived in Capernaum,  the collectors came and ask Peter whether his teacher pay the temple tax of two drachma. Peter said yes, he has. 

When Peter came into the house, Jesus asked him from whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes - from their own children or from others? Peter answered from others. Jesus said therefore the children are exempt. 

The point Jesus was trying to make here is that the children of the king is exempted from duties and taxes. Since Jesus is the son of God, to whom the temple belong, He is exempted from the payment. So are those who believe in Jesus and became children of God. 

(27)  Jesus asked Peter to go to the lake and throw out his line, and take the first fish he caught and in its mouth there is a four-drachma coin. He told Peter to give the coins to the collectors for his and Jesus' tax. While they have the right not to pay, Jesus do not want to cause offense. 

This is another amazing miracle from Jesus, that he can control the fish to find the coin and put into its mouth, waiting for Peter to catch it!  Jesus could have insist on His right, but he is the Prince of Peace, and He was willing to give up the right.

Additional Lessons 

v1-13, 22-23

1. Encountering God on the mountain top.

Peter wants to build shelters because he doesn't want to go down. He wants to experience the supernatural. God intervene to redirect Peter to focus on Jesus. It's not about Peter and Moses or Elijah. It's about who Jesus is. 

Do we want the experience but not the Jesus. We want healing but not the healer. We want riches and blessings but not the giver. We cannot be a consumer but every encounter requires us to serve.

2. Encountering God in the ordinary 

When Peter open his eyes, he can only see Jesus. His excitement has disappeared. He may be a bit disappointed that the mountain top experience is gone. However, Jesus is still there, the same man/God who spoke to the prophets.

Don't just pursue superordinary experience. Everything we do Jesus is there, we can speak to him. 

3. Encountering God in the valley of life 

in v22, Jesus said that he will be killed and buried. The disciples were filled with grief.

This is the opposite of the mountain top experience. We may be in the midst of suffering, critical illness, loved ones dying, family is in broken state.

Ps 23:4 - Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me.

Jesus is there in the valley.

Isaiah 40:31

Niv : Hope

ESV: Wait

Trust