Matthew 17:

Transfigurations – Restoration

Jesus leads Peter, James and John upon a high mountain, and is transfigured before them: his face shines, his clothes become as white as the light. Moses and Elias [Elijah] appear, and talk to Jesus. Peter, out of the blue, suggests they make three tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elias. A voice then comes from heaven and declares; “…This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5) Upon hearing this, the Apostles fall to the ground and were afraid. After lifting up their heads they see only Jesus and He tells them not to reveal their vision until after the Resurrection.

The Apostles then ask Jesus why the scribes said that Elias [Eliajah] must come first. Jesus confirms this and states that “…Elias [Elijah] truly shall first come, and restore all things.” (Matthew 17:11), however they were confused that Elijah had already come, but Jesus was referring to John the Baptist. Because Elijah would come a lot later to RESTORE the gospel in the last days. “…the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things…” (Acts 3:19-21) Jesus then runs into a man who pleads for Him to come and heal his son, because he had previously brought the child to His Apostles and they could not heal him. So Jesus takes the child and casts the devils out of him. The Apostles then ask Jesus “…Why could not we cast him out?” (Matthew 17:19) Jesus tells them; “…Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith 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.” (Matthew 17:20)

Jesus again prophesies of his death and Resurrection. Jesus explains that He is not liable to pay the temple tax, because kings demand taxes of strangers, not of their sons. Jesus pays the tax anyway, by miraculous provision of a coin that Peter finds in a fish’s mouth. (see Matthew 17:27)