Nazarene Commentary 2000©
21st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures©
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21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures©
[NCMM]
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THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN:
A TRANSFIGURED SON AND AN EMPTY POCKET
[“Glory and Taxes”]
(Key word: “Listen!”)
Matthew 17:1-9 – Transfiguration Vision
|| Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36
MT17:1 Now after six days
Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John
(the brother of James) and ascended with them to a very secluded place on a tall mountain.
| 1008 | After six days: Mark 9:2 agrees though Luke 9:28 says, “But it happened about eight days after…”
Some see the transfiguration as the fulfillment of what the Nazarene said earlier (Matthew 16:28). It ought to be observed that there is nothing in the “vision” which speaks of the arrival of Jesus’ kingdom in power. |
| 1009 | Peter, James, and John: Are these the primary foundation stones of the Congregation? Note in Mark 13:3 Andrew is added to
a select group among the apostles. |
| 1010 | A very secluded place on a tall mountain: Or, KJV: into an high mountain apart; KNX: where they were along; LB: a high and lonely hill. Some believe this is that 9,000-foot mountain nearest Caesar Philippi, Mount Hermon. |
MT17:2 And right before them Jesus was metamorphosed
– his face illuminated like the sun
and his cloak as white light.
| 1011 | Jesus was metamorphosed: The Greek is METAMORPHOTHE. Or, KJV: transfigured; RHM: transformed; WMS: his appearance was
changed; PME: his whole appearance changed before their eyes. Note a form of the word at Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18. According to Luke 9:29 this occurred “as he was praying.” |
| 1012 | Face illuminated like the sun: Or KJV: his faced did shine as the sun. Compare Daniel 12:3; Matthew 13:43; Revelation 1:14. Note, Exodus 34:29: “Moses
did not know that the skin of his face emitted rays.” (NW) It is impossible not to include as a cross reference 2 Corinthians 3:7, 10, 15, 18 and the relationship with the “new covenant.” |
| 1013 | His cloak as white light: Or, ASV: garment became white as the light; RIEU: white as light itself. Mark 9:3 adds: “… far whiter than any
clothes cleaner on earth could whiten them.” (Revelation 1:16) |
MT17:3 And, look! they could see Moses and Elijah
speaking with Jesus.
| 1014 | Moses and Elijah: Some see these two as representing the Law and the Prophets pointing to Messiah. The three are called
“prophets.” The three all fast for 40 days. All three hear the Voice of God. All three are associated with the Name of God. All three are involved in the saving acts of God. Compare Malachi 4:4, 5. See notes on Revelation 11:5, 6. |
MT17:4 Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Master, if you wish I shall make three tents
– one for you and Moses and Elijah.”
| 1015 | I shall make three tents: We note the spontaneity of Peter. Perhaps he expects these three to remain during the chilly
night. He may create an evening bivouac from boughs and limbs of trees. |
MT17:5 Yet while Peter was talking, look! a shining cloud rested over them, and, look! a Voice came from the cloud,
saying, “This is my beloved Son whom I approve
– listen to him.”
| 1016 | Voice came from the cloud: This is the second of three cases where the Voice of God is heard, all in the presence of
Jesus (Matthew 3:17; John 12:28). Peter gives his own inspired interpretation of this event at 2 Peter 1:16-18. The Voice is “God the Father.” The main point is the revelation of the “power and presence (PAROUSIA)” of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Some wish to make this the second coming or that Parousia future from the days of Jesus and the disciples. (Matthew 24:3; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1, 8; James 5:7, 8; 2 Peter 3:4; 1 John 2:28) Others see the parousia here as that first coming of the Nazarene. |
| 1017 | This is my beloved Son whom I approve: These are the words heard by John the Baptist and the Nazarene at his baptism (see notes at Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Peter records the Voice at 2 Peter 1:17. The phrase is similar to a conflate of Psalm 2:7 and Isaiah 42:1. Peter is to quote the context of Psalm 2:7 later at Acts 4:24; and, Paul Psalm 2:7 exactly at Acts 13:33, 34. Both apply Psalm 2 to that period upon the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to heaven as envisioned by Daniel 7:13. It is curious that this is witnessed only by three of the apostles and these are later told not to tell anyone (the other apostles?) of the vision (Matthew 17:9). |
| 1018 | Listen to him: Here is the main point of the whole episodic vision: to charge these three apostles to hear or listen in obedience to the Son (Note Hebrews 1:1). Matthew was not present on this occasion so must have learned the details from Peter, James, or John; and this after the resurrection of the Son of Humankind. “Listen” is a word occurring often in the Gospels: Matthew 11:15; 13:9, 18, 43; 15:10; Mark 4:3, 9, 20, 23, 33; 7:14; Luke 8:8, 18; 14:35; John 10:3, 16, 27. |
MT17:6 Now, hearing this the disciples were frightened and fell on their faces.
MT17:7 Jesus approached the disciples and touching them, he said,
“Rise and do not be afraid.”
MT17:8 But, when the disciples looked up they saw nothing but Jesus himself.
MT17:9 Now while descending the mountain Jesus charged
the three disciples:
“Tell no one about the vision until the
Son of Humankind is raised from among those dead.” | 1019 |
Jesus charged: Or, ASV: commanded; KNX: ward; MOF: ordered. |
| 1020 | Tell no one: We may assume
this included the other nine apostles. What an awesome charge to confidence – a lesson for many an elder to keep confidentiality. On this matter compare Paul’s own at 2 Corinthians 12:4. |
| 1021 | The vision: The appearance of “Moses” and “Elijah” were visionary not the real persons alive. One may ask how these men recognized
Moses and Elijah? |
| 1022 | Son of Humankind: Search or Find Son of Man or Son of Humankind. |
| 1023 | Raised from among those dead: Or, KJV: risen again from the dead; MON: raised from the dead. The dead themselves are not to be raised until, a) the Parousia of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:23); and, b) the end of the Thousand Years (1 Corinthians 15:24; Revelation 20:5). |
Matthew 17:10-13 – Elijah Has Already Come
|| Mark 9:9-13
MT17:10 Now the disciples inquired of Jesus, asking, “Why do the Scribes
say it is necessary for
Elijah
to come first?” [Malachi 4:5]
| 1024 | Scribes: Search the word scribe for notes elsewhere. Or, NEB: teachers. |
| 1025 | Elijah: Likely this prophet is raised as a result of the vision. We may suppose only the three disciples were asking the question. On Elijah research the name for other notes. |
MT17:11 Jesus answered them, saying:
“Indeed,
Elijah is coming
and will restore everything.
| 1026 | Elijah is coming: Judging from Jesus’ words may we suppose there are two “Elijahs”? One to appear
before the desolation of Jerusalem (Malachi 4:5). And, still another before the Parousia of Christ (Revelation 11:4, 5). The Nazarene does not mean the literal prophet but something like him. |
| 1027 | Restore everything: Or, NEB: set everything right; GDSP: reform everything; RIEU: reestablish everything. Compare Acts 3:21. Malachi 4:6 foretold the result of Elijah’s coming:
“He must turn the heart of fathers back toward sons, and the heart of sons back toward fathers.” If this be the ‘restoration’ it deals strongly with family relationships and involves love. If we were to also apply Isaiah 40:5
to the coming of Elijah then this also would be involved: “The glory of Jehovah will certainly be revealed, and all flesh must see it together.” Additionally, consider Malachi 3:1-4: “And suddenly there will come to His temple the
[true] Lord, whom you people are seeking, and the messenger of the covenant in whom you are delighting. Look! He will certainly come,” Jehovah of armies has said. “But who will be putting up with the day of his coming, and who will be the one standing
when he appears? For he will be like the fire of a refiner and like the lye of laundrymen. And he must sit as a refiner and cleanser of silver and must cleanse the sons of Le’vi; and he must clarify them like gold and like silver, and they will certainly
become to Jehovah people presenting a gift offering in righteousness. And the gift offering of Judah and of Jerusalem will actually be gratifying to Jehovah, as in the days of long ago and as in the years of antiquity.” (NWT) The ‘restoration’
not only involves family relationships but also the true Temple and the cleansing of the People of God. Compare Revelation 11:1-12; 11:19. |
MT17:12 But, I tell you:
Elijah has already arrived and they did not acknowledge him; rather, they treated him as they wished. And just so the
Son of Humankind is about to suffer because of them.”
| 1028 | Elijah has already arrived: See notes on Matthew 11:14 and Matthew 16:14 and the name Elijah elsewhere. |
| 1029 | They did not acknowledge him: “They” includes the Scribes. Or, KJV: knew him not; RHM: they recognized him not. |
| 1030 | They treated him as they wished: Or, KJV: have done unto him whatsoever they listed; RHM: did with him whatsoever they pleased;
MOF: they have worked their will on him; KNX: misused him at their pleasure. “They” imprisoned and then beheaded John the Baptist. |
| 1031 | Suffer because of them: This is the second of two times Jesus mentions his foretold ‘suffering.’ (see notes at Matthew 16:21; Mark 8:31; Luke 17:25) That the Messiah would “suffer” is foretold by Psalm 22:1+ and Isaiah 53:1+. Compare also Isaiah 50:6 and Daniel 9:26. |
MT17:13 Finally the disciples understood that Jesus spoke to them about John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:14-21 – Faith the Size of a Mustard Seed
|| Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43
MT17:14 Now as they approached the crowd a [father] knelt down before
Jesus,
| 1032 | A [father] knelt down before: Or, NOR: a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. |
MT17:15 saying, “Master, show mercy
to my moonstruck
son who suffers terribly.
He often falls into fire or water.
| 1033 | Show mercy: Or, WEY: have pity. |
| 1034 | Moonstruck: The Greek is SELENIAZETAI. Or, KJV: lunatick; ASV: epileptic; LB: mentally deranged. The word only occurs in Matthew (Matthew 4:24). In Mark the boy is possessed
by a mute spirit (Mark 9:18). |
| 1035 | Suffers terribly: Or, KJV: sore vexed; ASV: suffereth grievously;
NEB: bad fits; WMS: excruciating pain. |
| 1036 | He often falls into fire or water: Or, KNX: often throw
himself into. Mark 9:18 says,
“Wherever it seizes him it dashes him to the ground.” It is the demon that drives the youth to burn or drown himself. The demons wish to escape but cannot (Compare Luke 9:37). |
MT17:16 I
brought him to your disciples
but they were unable to cure him.”
| 1037 | Disciples: Since Jesus has been with the three (Peter, James, John) this may mean the other nine apostles. |
MT17:17 So Jesus responded:
“O faithless and twisted generation, how long must I remain
with you? Bring him to me right here!”
| 1038 | Faithless and twisted: Or, RHM: faithless and perverted; BER: unbelieving and rebellious; KNX: misguided; GDSP: unbelieving,
obstinate. It is hard to imagine Jesus includes his disciples though they are part of that generation. |
| 1039 |
How long must I remain with you: Perhaps some frustration? The Nazarene knows from Daniel 9:26 that his days are numbered. |
MT17:18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon and it left the boy.
The boy was cured from that hour.
MT17:19 Then the disciples approached Jesus in private and asked, “Why were we unable to exorcise the demon?”
MT17:20 Jesus told them:
“It was because of your tiny faith. I tell you this truth:
If you even possessed faith the size of a mustard seed you would say to this mountain, ‘Transfer from here to there!’ and it would be transported. Nothing would be impossible for
you [disciples].”
| 1040 | Tiny faith: The Greek is OLIGO(=small)PISTIAN(=faith/belief) here in the W&H text. The Received Text uses APISTIAN (unbelief, non-faith). Or, ASV: little faith; NEB: your faith is too weak; RIEU: lack of faith. To Jesus faith or belief has varying size and strength. |
| 1041 | Size of a mustard seed: Do we see Jesus pinch his two fingers together indicating the size? Use find or search on the word mustard for notes elsewhere. |
| 1042 | This mountain: Having just come down from Mount Hermon can we see Jesus point to that 9,000-foot peak? This is an absurdum or hyperbole, an exaggerated metaphor. Note something similar at Zechariah 4:7 and 1 Corinthians 13:2. Compare Matthew 21:21; Mark 11:23; Luke 17:6. |
MT17:21 [[“However, this kind of demon is exorcised only by prayer and fasting.”]] | 1043 | [[…]]: א, B, Syc,s omit verse 21; C, D, W, Vg, Syp, Arm add the phrase as in the KJV. |
Matthew 17:22-23 – Grief and Jesus’ Prediction of His Death
|| Mark 9:30-32; Luke 9:44, 45
MT17:22 Now while they were all together in Galilee Jesus told the disciples:
“It is about time for the
Son of Humankind to be betrayed
into other people’s hands.
| 1044 | It is about time: Literally, “the Son of man is about to…” MON: about to be; TCNT: destined to be. |
| 1045 | Betrayed: The Nazarene also foretells his betrayal. The word group occurs 14 times in Matthew, 9 times in Mark, 5 times in
Luke, and 9 times in John. |
MT17:23 They will kill him and the third day he will be raised up.”
And at this the disciples were grieved very much. | 1046 | Third day: For notes search third day and three days. |
| 1047 |
He will be raised up: Or, RIEU: he will come back to life. The Greek EGERTHESETAI is a synonym for “resurrect.” Search the word raised and resurrect(ion). |
| 1048 | Were grieved very much: Or, KJV: exceeding sorry; RSV: greatly distressed; KNX: overcome with sorrow. The disciples do understand what is meant. |
Matthew 17:24-27 – Tax-free Sons No Stumbling-block
MT17:24 Having arrived in Capernaum certain men collecting the [Temple-tax] of two drachmas
approached Peter, asking: “Does your teacher refuse to pay the [temple tax]?”
| 1049 | [Temple-tax] of two drachmas: Or, KJV: received tribute money; ASV: half-shekel; TCNT: temple-tax. About $1.30 or a
week’s wages. Compare the tabernacle tax (Exodus 30:12-16; 2 Chronicles 24:6, 9; Nehemiah 10:32). |
MT17:25 Peter answered, “Yes.”
But when Peter entered the house, Jesus anticipated him
by asking,
“Simon, what is your view? From whom do earth’s rulers
receive duty and tax? From their sons or from aliens?”
| 1050 | Yes: Peter speaks incorrectly. |
| 1051 | Jesus anticipated him: Or, KJV: Jesus prevented him; WMS: – he got there ahead of Simon –; RSV: Jesus spoke to him first. |
| 1052 | Simon, what is your view: Or, KJV: what thinkest thou; BER: what is your idea; MON: how does it seem to you. There is no direct correction or rebuke. |
| 1053 | Duty and tax: Or, KJV: custom or tax; RHM: dues or tax; KNX: customs or taxes; RIEU: import or capitation taxes; TCNT: taxes or tribute. This subject comes up a couple times: research the word tax. |
| 1054 | Sons or from aliens: Or, KJV: their own children, or of strangers; RIEU: citizens or on foreigners; MON: from their own people or from aliens. |
MT17:26 Peter answered, “From the aliens.” Then, Jesus said to him,
“Really, then, the sons are free [from taxes].
MT17:27 But so we might not stumble them: go fish in the sea. The first fish you hook pull in and when you open its mouth you will find a stater [coin]. Take the coin and give it to them for me and you.”| 1055 | Not stumble them: The Greek is
SCANDALISOMEN. Or, KJV: offend; NEB: cause difficulties; WMS: not influence them to do any thing wrong; TCNT: may not shock them. |
| 1056 |
A stater [coin]: Or, KJV: a piece of money; ASV: a shekel; RIEU: silver coins; MOF: four drachmas. About four days wages. |
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Nazarene Commentary 2000©
Mark Heber Miller
©2000 All Rights Reserved
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