RSV ~ Matthew 17 Notes

Mt 17:1-8 | ISB Notes

Jesus’ Transfiguration confirms his divine Sonship (3:17; 16:16). It also strengthens three early Church leaders (Peter, James, and John) after Jesus’ first Passion prediction (16:21). Being transfigured before them (17:2), Jesus unveils his glory, later manifest in his Resurrection and shared by his angels (28:2-3) and Virgin Mother in heaven (Rev 12:1) (CCC 555-56).

• The OT background for this event is God’s self-revelation to Moses on Mt. Sinai. (1) Both take place on the seventh day (17:1; Ex 24:16); (2) both occur on a mountain (17:1; Ex 24:13, 15); (3) both Jesus and Moses take three companions with them (17:1; Ex 24:1); (4) the faces of both Jesus and Moses shine with God’s glory (17:2; Ex 34:29); (5) both involve the glory-cloud of God’s Presence; (6) and both events involve God speaking through a heavenly voice (17:5; Ex 24:16).

• Anagogically (Dionysius, The Divine Names 1.4): the glory that shone around the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration prefigures the contemplation of God in eternity, when the minds of the saints will be for ever lifted up from lower concerns and engulfed in the blazing light of the Trinity.

Mt 17:3 | ISB Notes

Moses and Elijah: Represent the testimony of the Law and the Prophets, respectively (cf. 5:17; 7:12). They are the only OT figures to hear God’s voice atop Mt. Sinai, also called Horeb (Ex 24:18; 1 Kings 19:8-18). They here witness to the surpassing glory of Jesus as the lawgiver and prophet of the New Covenant (cf. Jn 5:39; Rev 11:3-6).

Mt 17:4 | ISB Notes

I will make three booths: Peter desires to prolong the heavenly experience. The booths are small, tentlike shelters erected yearly at the Jewish Feast of Booths (Lev 23:39-43). This liturgical feast became an early Church symbol of the ongoing joys of heaven (cf. Rev 7:9-10).

Mt 17:5 | ISB Notes

beloved Son … listen to him: A similar procla-I mation was made at Jesus’ baptism (3:17; cf. Is 42:1).

• The final statement, “listen to him”, evokes Deut 18:15. In context, God promised that a prophet like Moses (Messiah) would come to Israel to be heeded by his people (cf. Acts 3:2022). See note on Mt 2:16.

Mt 17:6 | ISB Notes

fell on their faces: The posture of those overwhelmed by God’s glory (Gen 17:3; Ezek 1:28; Rev 1:17).

Mt 17:11 | ISB Notes

to restore all things: e.g., family relationships (Mal 4:5-6) and the 12 tribes of Israel (Sir 48:10).

Mt 17:12 | ISB Notes

Elijah has already come: The “scribes” (17:10) were correct in their teaching and expectation (Mal 4:5) but wrong not to recognize Elijah’s arrival in John the Baptist (17:13). See note on Mt 11:10.

Mt 17:20 | ISB Notes

your little faith: Jesus challenges the unbelief of his disciples (8:26; 14:31; 16:8). He suggests their attempts to exorcize demons (17:16) were impeded by presumption, since even a small measure of genuine faith can accomplish great things.

Mt 17:24 | ISB Notes

Capernaum: Jesus’ hometown during his Galilean ministry (4:13). the half-shekel tax: Literally, the didrachma, or “two-drachma tax”, required annually of all male Jews over 20 years old. Moses levied a similar tax for the services of the Tabernacle (Ex 30:11-16). This was reimplemented with King Joash for Solomon’s Temple (2 Chron 24:6), while a comparable “third part of a shekel” was required for the second Temple (Neh 10:32).

went up to Peter: Matthew’s “fourth book” features the primacy of Peter (14:28-33; 16:13-19; 17:1, 4; see outline). Here the tax collectors recognize and approach him as the apostles’ spokesman.

Mt 17:26 | ISB Notes

the sons are free: The divine sonship shared by Jesus (natural) and Peter (adoptive) exempts them from Temple taxes. Nevertheless, they submit their New Covenant liberty to the regulations of the Old. In the early Church, believers maintained certain Old Covenant practices to avoid giving “offense” (17:27) to the Jews and in the hope of winning some to the gospel (Acts 16:3; 21:17-26; Rom 14:13-21; 1 Cor 9:19-23).

Mt 17:27 | ISB Notes

you will find a shekel: A Greek stater worth two CkS didrachma (17:24). The full shekel thus pays the half-shekel tax for both Jesus and Peter.

• The single payment for both Christ and Peter underscores the spiritual union between Jesus and his vicar on earth (cf. 16:17-19).