< Matthew 17 >
1 A week after Jesus [said that], he took Peter, James, and John, the [younger] brother of James, and led them up a high mountain where they were away from other people.
2 [While they were there, the three disciples] saw that Jesus’ appearance was changed. His face shone like the sun, and his clothing [shone and] became as brilliant as light.
3 Suddenly Moses and Elijah, [who were important prophets many years ago], appeared and started talking with him.
4 Peter [saw them and] said to Jesus, “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here! If you want [me to], I will make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5 While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud [appeared and] covered them. [They heard God] speaking [about Jesus from] inside the cloud. He said [to them], “This is my Son. I love him. He pleases me very much. [So] you must listen to him!”
6 When the three disciples heard [God speaking], they were terrified. [As a result], they fell prostrate on the ground.
7 But Jesus went to them and touched them [and] said [to them], “Stand up! Do not be afraid any more!”
8 And when they looked up [MTY], they saw that Jesus was the only one [who was still there].
9 When they were walking down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you saw [on the mountain top] until [God has caused me], the one who has come from heaven, to become alive again after I die.”
10 [Those three disciples had just seen Elijah and he did not do anything to prepare people for the coming of the Messiah], so they asked Jesus, “If [what you say is true], why do the men who teach the [Jewish] laws say that it is necessary for Elijah to come [back to earth] before [the Messiah comes]?”
11 Jesus answered [them], “It is true that [God promised that] Elijah would come to prepare many [HYP] [people for the Messiah’s coming].
12 But note this: Elijah’s [representative] has already come, [and our leaders have seen him], but they did not recognize him [as the one who would come before the Messiah]. Instead, they treated him [badly], just like they desired. And those same rulers will soon treat [me], the one who came from heaven, in the same manner.”
13 Then the three disciples understood that [when he was talking about Elijah], he was referring to John the Baptizer.
14 When [Jesus and the three disciples] returned to the [rest of us disciples] and to the crowd [that had gathered], a man approached Jesus and knelt before him.
15 He said [to him], “Sir/Lord, have mercy on my son and [heal him]! He has epilepsy and suffers very much. [Because of this illness], he has fallen in the fire and in the water many times.
16 I brought him to your disciples [in order that they might heal him], but they were not able to heal him.”
17 Jesus responded [by saying to everyone who had gathered there], “[You who have seen how I help people] do not believe [that you can do anything! Your minds] are distorted! How long do I have to be with you [before you] are [able to do what I do] [RHQ]? How long [do] I have to endure your [not believing] [RHQ]? Bring the boy here to me!”
18 When [they brought the boy to Jesus], Jesus rebuked the demon [that was causing the epilepsy]. [As a result], the demon came out of the boy, and right then the boy was healed.
19 [Later, some of us] disciples approached Jesus. We asked him privately, “Why were we [(exc)] not able to expel the demon?”
20 He answered us, “It is because you did not believe very much [in God’s power]. Think about this: Mustard seeds [are very small, but in this area they grow and produce large] [MET] [plants]. [Similarly], if your faith grows until you truly believe [that God will do what you ask him to], you will be able to do anything [LIT]! You [could even] say to this hill, ‘Move from here to there!’ and it would go [where you told it to go].”
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22 When [we disciples] had gathered together in Galilee [district], Jesus said to us, “[I], the one who came from heaven, will soon be handed over {[Someone] will soon hand me, the one who came from heaven, over} to the authorities [SYN].
23 They will kill me. But [God] will cause me to become alive again on the third day [after I am killed].” [When we heard that], we became very sad.
24 When we came to Capernaum [city], the men who collect taxes [for the Temple approached Peter and said to him], “Your teacher pays the [Temple tax], does he not?”
25 He answered [them], “Yes, [he does pay it].” When we came into the house [where Jesus was saying], [before Peter began to talk about paying taxes], Jesus said [to him], “Simon, from whom do you think rulers collect revenue or taxes? [Do they collect taxes] from the citizens of their own [country], or from citizens of countries [they have conquered]?”
26 Peter answered [him], “From [citizens of] other [countries].” Then Jesus said to him, “So citizens of their own [country] do not need to [pay taxes].
27 But [even though the Temple is mine, pay the tax for us so that the Temple tax collectors will not become angry with us. In order to get the money to pay it], go to the lake. Cast your [fish line and] hook, and take the first fish that you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a silver coin [that is worth enough to pay the tax] for you and me. Take that coin and give [it] to the Temple tax collectors.”
