查經資料大全

 

| Back to Home Page | Back to Book Index |

 

Matthew Chapter Seventeen

 

I. Content of the Chapter

 

The Pre-manifestation of the Kingdom and Its Application in Real Life

I. The vision on the Mount Hermon (v.1-8) ------they experienced the pre-manifestation of the kingdom on the mountain.

II. The Lord’s instructions and teachings (v.9-13) ------tell no one what they had seen because men did not know.

III. The Lord cast out the demon and healed the epileptic (v.14-21) ------one has to use the power of the kingdom by faith.

IV. The Lord foretold His death and resurrection (v.22-23) ------we have to enter into the kingdom of God through tribulations and cross.

V. Peter got a piece of money to pay the tax by fishing (v.24-27) ------on one hand citizens of the kingdom should hear the Lord and on the other we should not offend against the earthly authority.

 

II. Verse by Verse commentary

 

Matt. 17:1 “Now after six days Jesus took Peter James and John his brother led them up on a high mountain by themselves;

   YLT: “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter and James and John his brother and doth bring them up to a high mount by themselves ”

   Literal Meaning: “after six days” There were six days (See Mark. 9:2) between the day on which Peter confessed Jesus as Christ (See Matt. 16:16) and the day on which they climbed the mountain. In the Gospel of Luke the beginning and last must have been counted and therefore it is recorded “about eight days” (See Luke. 9:28).

  “Led them up on a high mountain.” At that time they were in the region of Caesarea Philippi (See Matt. 16:13) and therefore a high mountain may be “the Mount Hermon” (See Deut. 3:8-9 Ps. 133:3).

   Spiritual Meaning: “after six days ” the old creation was created in six days (See Gen. 1) and therefore “after six days” symbolize in the new creation.

  “Peter James and John his brother ” they represent overcomers in the believers of the New Testament.

“Led them up on a high mountain by themselves” “by themselves” symbolize that only the overcomers are able to see the glory of the kingdom of heaven; “a high mountain” symbolizes the heavenly realm.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We have to live in the new creation (“after six days”) and in the heavenly realm (“up on a high mountain”). Then we are able to see the manifestation of the Lord’s glory (v.2).

2) Only few people who love the Lord with pure hearts (Peter James and John) and enter into the “chamber” to live before the Father who is in secret (See Matt. 6:6) will be led by Him secretly (“led…up on a high mountain by themselves”) and they are able to partake in the glory of the kingdom of heaven.

 

Matt. 17:2 “and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light.

   YLT: “and he was transfigured before them and his face shone as the sun and his garments did become white as the light ”

   Literal Meaning: “He was transfigured before them.” They were clear-headed and saw the Lord being transfigured with eyes instead of in dream (See 2Pet. 1:16 1John. 1:1).

   Spiritual Meaning: this verse indicates that when the Lord comes back His image of glory (See 2Cor. 3:18) will be fully manifested in the hidden and lowly flesh. His being (“face”) is the effulgence of God’s glory (See Heb. 1:3) and His deeds (“clothes”) are as while as the light.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) One day we will be transformed according to the same image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2Cor. 3:18).

2) When the Lord comes He shall come to be gloried in His saints and to be admired in all them that believe (2Thess. 1:10).

 

Matt. 17:3 “And behold Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with Him.

   YLT: “and lo appear to them did Moses and Elijah talking together with him.”

   The Background: Elijah went up into heaven without the experience of death (See 2Kings. 2:11). Though Moses died in the land of Moab nobody knew where his tomb was (See Deut. 34:5-6). Moreover Michael the archangel disputed the body of Moses with the devil (See Jude. 1:9) implying that God kept his body and would make him resurrect with the original appearance. Therefore these two persons are probably “the two witnesses” used by God before the coming of the kingdom of a thousand years (See Rev. 11:3-12).

   Literal Meaning: “talking with Him” They were talking about that He was about to be killed in Jerusalem (See Luke. 9:31).

   Spiritual Meaning: “Moses and Elijah ” “Moses” here represents the Law that is the words written by God; “Elijah” here is the type of prophets who speak for God. The Law and prophets both bear witness to Christ.

  Because “Moses” had died he represents overcomers who died and rose again. “Elijah” had not died and therefore he represents overcomers who are caught up when they live.

 

Matt. 17:4 “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus Lord it is good for us to be here; if You wish let us make here three tabernacles: one for You one for Moses and one for Elijah.’”

   YLT: “And Peter answering said to Jesus `Sir it is good to us to be here; if thou wilt we may make here three booths for thee one and for Moses one and one for Elijah.’”

   Literal Meaning: “it is good for us to be here” shows that Peter deeply expected to stay in the vision and the realm of the kingdom for long.

  “One for you one for Moses and one for Elijah” Peter said so because he thought the Lord Jesus Moses and Elijah were equal.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) “Let us make here three tabernacles” shows that Peter not only wanted to keep “Christ” but also wanted to keep the persons and things that were related to Christ. He had held them high even to the same position with Christ. This is the mistake Christians usually make.

2) “Let us make here three tabernacles” also shows that someone only wants to stay in the state of glory and blessing on the mountain and does not want to go down the mountain to face sufferings and take up his cross. However through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God (Acts. 14:22).

3) The Law and prophets existed to guide men to know Christ. Though they were very important they cannot be treated equal with Christ because they were only a shadow and the body is Christ (See Col. 2:17).

4) In the kingdom of God any ceremony regulation (the Law) and spiritual giant (the prophet) is unworthy to share the equal position with Christ.

5) Though Moses and Elijah were the most respected persons by Israel they cannot be mentioned in the same breath with the Lord. Any spiritual giant or religious leader is unworthy to share the glory of Christ. Our Lord is the lord of lords the king of kings. Only He is worthy to be solely glorified. 

6) Work and labor (which Moses stands for) and faith and power (which Elijah stands for) cannot share glory with the Lord. We should let Him have the first place in all things (Col. 1:18).

 

Matt. 17:5 “While he was still speaking behold a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud saying This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’”

   YLT: “While he is yet speaking lo a bright cloud overshadowed them and lo a voice out of the cloud saying `This is My Son the Beloved in whom I did delight; hear him.’”

   Literal Meaning: “a voice came out of the cloud” It is the voice of God. God Himself broke the words of Peter with a voice and corrected his wrong concept.

  “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” It shows the Father’s praise to Jesus. When Jesus was baptized the Father said the same word (See Matt. 3:17) and praised His “behaviors” of thirty years that satisfied the will of the Father. Here He praised His “works” of three years that also satisfied the will of the Father.

   Spiritual Meaning: “a bright cloud overshadowed them” It is the glory of God (See Exod. 24:16).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Sometimes our life on earth is unavoidably full of black clouds. However in the heavenly kingdom in future every cloud is bright.

2) The Father praised Jesus two times “this is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” It shows that the Father likes the two models of His beloved Son: He humbles Himself and becomes obedient even unto death; He is held high and full of honor and glory; on one hand He is the Lamb which has been slain and on the other He is the lion which of the tribe of Judah (See Rev. 5:5-6).

3) Only the Lord is the only-begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father (John. 1:18). Only He deeply knows the will of the Father and therefore we should “hear Him”.

4) In the time of the New Testament we should not hear outward regulations and traditions (the Law) or spiritual giants (the prophets). We should hear the Lord who dwells in us.

5) Believers always like to “talk about” Him and seldom “hear” Him.

 

Matt. 17:6 “And when the disciples heard it they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.

   YLT: “And the disciples having heard did fall upon their face and were exceedingly afraid ”

   Literal Meaning: “they were greatly afraid” because the voice of God is so fearful (See Heb. 12:19-21).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Men may be truly humble (“fell on their faces”) only when they “heard” the voice of God. 

2) Only spiritual revelations are able to overthrow the silly fervency and make men truly fear God (“they were greatly afraid”).

 

Matt. 17:7 “But Jesus came and touched them and said Arise and do not be afraid.’”

   YLT: “and Jesus having come near touched them and said `Rise be not afraid ’”

   Enlightenment in the Word: From v.6-7 we saw God’s goodness and severity (See Rom. 11:22). When believers hear God’s words our original concepts are overthrown first and then we greatly feared and next we will receive heavenly comfort joy and strength.

 

Matt. 17:8 “When they had lifted up their eyes they saw no one but Jesus only.

   YLT: “and having lifted up their eyes they saw no one except Jesus only.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Every spiritual persons and things only help us to find Christ and they themselves do not have everlasting value.

2) Those who truly have spiritual sights “see no one but Jesus only”.

3) Spiritual progress depends on our eyes which may be gradually turned away from persons and things that are besides the Lord and be fixed steadfastly on Him.

 

Matt. 17:9 “Now as they came down from the mountain Jesus commanded them saying Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.’”

   YLT: “And as they are coming down from the mount Jesus charged them saying `Say to no one the vision till the Son of Man out of the dead may rise.’”

   Spiritual Meaning: we should not tell the vision on the mountain to others randomly at the foot of the mountain (i.e. this time) because firstly the time has not come and secondly only those who have received the Lord’s living life are able to understand talk about and enter into the reality of the vision (See 1Cor. 2:10-15).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) We should not tell to the public randomly what we have seen in secret until the right time.

2) Believers should learn from the example of the Lord Jesus to speak and walk ------if the time is not come we should say and do nothing (See John. 7:6).

 

Matt. 17:10 “And His disciples asked Him saying Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?’”

   YLT: “And his disciples questioned him saying `Why then do the scribes say that Elijah it behoveth to come first?’”

   Literal Meaning: “why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” “The scribes” were familiar with the Old Testament. According to the Bible they concluded that in the end of the world Elijah will come before the Messiah comes (See Mal. 4:5).

  The disciples asked this question probably because they just saw Jesus being transfigured and they firmly believed that He is the Messiah that shall come. Then they asked Him why Elijah did not come before Jesus.

 

Matt. 17:11 “Jesus answered and said to them "Indeed Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.

   YLT: “And Jesus answering said to them `Elijah doth indeed come first and shall restore all things ”

   Literal Meaning: “indeed Elijah is coming first” “Indeed” means “for one side”. It shows that it is right for the scribes to conclude that Elijah would come before the end of the world.

  “And will restore all things.” It indicates that he paved the way for the coming of the Messiah (See Mal. 4:5-6 Rev. 11:3-4).

 

Matt. 17:12 “But I say to you that Elijah has come already and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.’”

   YLT: “and I say to you Elijah did already come and they did not know him but did with him whatever they would so also the Son of Man is about to suffer by them.’”

   Literal Meaning: “but I say to you” “but” means “for another side”.

  “Elijah has come already.” The Lord here meant that before the prophesy of the Old Testament that Elijah would come has not been fully fulfilled it has been partially fulfilled in John the Baptist. And therefore the spirit and power of John the Baptist is identical with what Elijah will do when he comes (See Matt. 11:14 Luke. 1:17).

  “Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Just as the Jews treated John the Baptist whatever they wished because they did not know him------the forerunner and witness of the king of the kingdom of heaven. Because they did not know the Lord Jesus------the king of the kingdom of heaven they rejected and persecuted Him.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The more we know Christ the more we will respect Him and regard Him as excellent (See Pill. 3:8).

2) Anyone who lacks knowledge of spiritual things often becomes inflictor of the Lord or the Lord’s witnesses.

 

Matt. 17:13 “Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.

   YLT: “Then understood the disciples that concerning John the Baptist he spake to them.”

   Enlightenment in the Word: the Lord did not speak of John the Baptist plainly and the disciples understood that it was John the Baptist. Sometimes though the Bible does not speak of something plainly we should understand the will of the Lord.

 

Matt. 17:14 “And when they had come to the multitude a man came to Him kneeling down to Him and saying

   YLT: “And when they came unto the multitude there came to him a man kneeling down to him ”

   Literal Meaning: “when they had come to the multitude ” “The multitude” indicate other disciples of the Lord.

  “Kneeling down” shows that someone asked for help humbly.

 

Matt. 17:15‘Lord have mercy on my son for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.”

   YLT: “and saying `Sir deal kindly with my son for he is lunatic and doth suffer miserably for often he doth fall into the fire and often into the water ”

   Meaning of Words: “epileptic”: crazy; “suffers severely”: illness suffers.

   Literal Meaning: “he is an epileptic and suffers severely ” “epileptic” is the disease with periodic attack. However it was caused because he was demon-possessed (See v.18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The epilepsy of the child was caused by the demon (See v.18). The works of devil are to make men remittent and harm themselves.

2) All our thoughts and deeds of arrogance conceitedness pride (“falls into the fire”) self-dispraise discouragement self-surrender and suicide (“often into the water”) are from the devil.

 

Matt. 17:16 “So I brought him to Your disciples but they could not cure him.’”

   YLT: “and I brought him near to thy disciples and they were not able to heal him.’”

   Literal Meaning: “but they could not cure him.” Please note that the Lord had given them power against unclean spirits to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease (See Matt. 10:1).

   Spiritual Meaning: “I brought him to Your disciples ” “disciples” represent believers.

  “But they could not cure him.” Originally believers have heavenly power to cast out demons (See Mark. 16:17). However we always fail in real life.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The reason why the disciples could not cast out the devil is not the ineffectiveness of power given by the Lord but that they were unable to use the power under the state at that time. If the spiritual state of believers falls behind the spiritual power will be restrained to use.

2) Many times when men encounter difficulties they do not ask the Lord for help but spiritual men (“disciples”) and consequently the difficulties still exist.

 

Matt. 17:17 “Then Jesus answered and said O faithless and perverse generation how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.’”

   YLT: “And Jesus answering said `O generation unstedfast and perverse till when shall I be with you? till when shall I bear you? bring him to me hither;’”

   Meaning of Words: “faithless”: unbelief; “perverse”: distort turn away.

   Literal Meaning: “faithless and perverse generation ” “Faithless” is towards the Lord’s power; “perverse” is towards the Lord’s will.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) What mostly hurts the Lord (“how long shall I bear with you?”) is the evil heart of unbelief (See Heb. 3:12).

2) The Lord’s signing words show that the reason why the disciples could not cure him is that the Lord was not with them in the flesh and they forgot to draw the Lord’s presence in spirit (See 1Cor. 5:3) and tried to cast out the demon relying on themselves and consequently it resulted in failure.

3) The generation was wicked and adulterous and it therefore could not enjoy the goodness of the Lord’s presence. However if one is willing to be humble (“kneeling down” See v.14) and came to the Lord (“bring him here to Me”) and he will finally be cured.

 

Matt. 17:18 “And Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

   YLT: “and Jesus rebuked him and the demon went out of him and the lad was healed from that hour.”

   Meaning of Words: “rebuke”: scold forbid.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When the Lord and the disciples were on the mountain everything is bright and white (See v.2). However when they were in real environments of life they encountered the problem of the power of darkness (the demon).

2) We should not be polite when dealing with the demon. We should use the heavenly power and “rebuke” it and it would flee.

3) The sickness of that child was caused by the demon and when the demon was cast out he was cured. When we pray for the healing of disease we should have spiritual sight to discern whether the reason of the disease is due to nature or super nature.

 

Matt. 17:19 “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said Why could we not cast it out?’”

   YLT: “Then the disciples having come to Jesus by himself said `Wherefore were we not able to cast him out?’”

   Literal Meaning: “the disciples came to Jesus ” “secretly” means private asking.

  “Why could we not cast it out?” The tone stressed on “we” in original.

 

Matt. 17:20 “So Jesus said to them Because of your unbelief; for assuredly I say to you if you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain Move from here to there ' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

   YLT: “And Jesus said to them `Through your want of faith; for verily I say to you if ye may have faith as a grain of mustard ye shall say to this mount Remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossible to you ”

   Meaning of Words: “unbelief”: little faith (it is different from “faithless” in v.17)

   Literal Meaning: “because of your unbelief” From the following text we could know that the “unbelief” here does not mean the “true and little faith” but the nature of their faith is so little that it is equal to “unbelief”.

  “If you have faith as a mustard seed ” means: 1) though faith is as little as a mustard seed (See Matt. 13:32) it is out of the question; 2) faith is able to grow “as a mustard seed”. Whether someone’s faith is great or not does not matter and what matters is whether someone has faith.

   Spiritual Meaning: “this mountain” indicates obstacles and difficulties that block believers on the way and they seem to be too great to move.

  “Move from here to there.” “Move the spanning great mountain” shows overcoming great and firm difficulties. 

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) All things are possible to him that believes (Mark. 9:23); Faith is to rely on God and let Him do and nothing is too wonderful for Jehovah (Gen. 18:14).

2) Because of unbelief believers are unable to be united with the Lord and draw His power.

3) Though our faith is little we could use the power of the kingdom. Therefore all things are possible to him that believes and none of the difficulties are unable to overcome.

 

Matt. 17:21 “However this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’”

   YLT: “and this kind doth not go forth except in prayer and fasting.’”

   Literal Meaning: “this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” “Prayer” is to rely on God; “fasting” is to give up one’s reasonable rights and pay the price showing one’s determination to fully rely on God. The reason why “fasting” is effective is not the deeds of fasting but the intention and attitude of fasting (See Matt. 6:16-18).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Prayer and fasting are works of faith (James. 2:26). Believers usually gain the effectiveness of faith through this.

2) The secret of the power to deal with the enemy is our faith (“prayer”) and self-denying (“fasting”).

 

Matt. 17:22 “Now while they were staying in Galilee Jesus said to them The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men

   YLT: “And while they are living in Galilee Jesus said to them `The Son of Man is about to be delivered up to the hands of men ”

   Literal Meaning: “while they were staying in Galilee” indicates before the time when they was about to follow the Lord to Jerusalem------the last period of the journey (See Matt. 19:1).

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The one who was manifested as the incomparably glorious king in vision even “is about to be betrayed into the hands of men” showing that one has to suffer before gaining in the glory (See 1Pet. 5:1).

2) If indeed we suffer with Him that we may also be gloried together (Rom. 8:17).

 

Matt. 17:23 “and they will kill Him and the third day He will be raised up. And they were exceedingly sorrowful.

   YLT: “and they shall kill him and the third day he shall rise ` and they were exceeding sorry.”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) Before the complete fulfillment of the glorious vision one has to go through the way of cross. Only those who have experienced the cross will partake in the reality of the glorious vision.

2) Cross is that the Lord was put in dead place. However He was not kept in dead place He will be raised up. It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with Him we shall also live with Him (2Tim. 2:11; See 2Cor. 4:10-14).

3) The reason why the disciples were sorrowful is that they only heard that the Lord will be killed and did not hear that He would be raised up. Anyone who lacks the revelation of resurrection only has hope in this life (See 1Cor. 15:19) and they do not have the heavenly hope and therefore he is mortally afraid of death. 

4) Anyone who does not have the hope of resurrection is unable to receive the cross gladly and joyfully.

 

Matt. 17:24 “When they had come to Capernaum those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?’”

   YLT: “And they having come to Capernaum those receiving the didrachms came near to Peter and said `Your teacher doth he not pay the didrachms?’ He saith `Yes.’”

   The Background: “the temple tax” is the proper noun for “half a shekel”; its origin: the ancient Jews who was above 20 years old had to offer half a shekel to make atonement for their lives for the service of the tabernacle or the Holy temple (See Exod. 30:12-16). Therefore it was called “the temple tax”.

 

Matt. 17:25 “He said Yes. And when he had come into the house Jesus anticipated him saying What do you think Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes from their sons or from strangers?’”

   YLT: “And when he came into the house Jesus anticipated him saying `What thinkest thou Simon? the kings of the earth from whom do they receive custom or poll-tax? from their sons or from the strangers?’”

   Literal Meaning: “Peter said ‘Yes’” Peter forgot what he had learned just now from the vision of the mountain (See v.5): firstly the Lord Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father and therefore He did not need to pay the temple tax for Himself; secondly the Father had asked them to “hear Him”. But Peter did not ask the Lord and made bold to answer them.

  “Jesus anticipated him ” The Lord said before Peter said anything implying that it was not the time for you to “say” but for you to “hear”.

  “Customs or taxes”: taxes that are levied especially for goods.

   Spiritual Meaning: “he had come into the house” symbolizes returning to the spirit and the Lord indeed lives in our spirits.

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) When men live in their souls they are easy to speak freely. However once they return to their spirits (“he had come into the house”) they will meet the Lord and know that they are wrong.

2) “What do you think?” shows that: 1) the Lord wants us to enter into His thinking; 2) the Lord’s words and deeds are reasonable instead of unreasonable.

 

Matt. 17:26 “Peter said to Him From strangers. Jesus said to him Then the sons are free.

   YLT: “Peter saith to him `From the strangers.’ Jesus said to him `Then are the sons free;”

   Literal Meaning: “then the sons are free ” Since the Lord Jesus is the Son of God He could be free to pay God taxes.

 

Matt. 17:27 “Nevertheless lest we offend them go to the sea cast in a hook and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.’”

   YLT: “but that we may not cause them to stumble having gone to the sea cast a hook and the fish that hath come up first take thou up and having opened its mouth thou shalt find a stater that having taken give to them for me and thee.’”

   Enlightenment in the Word:

1) The Lord has the right to not pay taxes. However He would rather abandon His right than offend others (See 1Cor. 8:13 9:12).

2) Under the conditions that we do not deny the Lord or offend against morality believers should try our best to obey earthly authorities and should not “offend them”.

3) Here it shows that He is indeed the lord of all and the glorious king that even the fish and money obey Him. Moreover His words never fall and He is indeed the living prophet and the Elijah of today.

4) He is the one who says that He should not pay the taxes and He is also the one who asks Peter to take and give the money to them. The Lord is the living Law and Moses of today. If the Lord says that we should do not something we should not do that. If the Lord asks us to do something we should do that. The most important thing is to hear Him.

5) “Take the fish that comes up first ” shows that the Lord is merciful in His chastening. The Lord for our profit chastens us (Heb. 12:10) and His chastening stops where it should stop.

6) Every time we hear the Lord and do according to His words He is always concerned about our needs (“give it to them for Me and you”).

 

III. Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons

 

The Vision and Application of the Heavenly Kingdom

I. The vision of the heavenly kingdom:

   A. The epitome of the heavenly kingdom:

       1. The overcomers of the New Testament will be manifested with Him in glory (v.1).

       2. The being of the Lord shines as the light and His deeds are as white as the light (v.2).

       3. The overcomers of the Old Testament also partake in the kingdom (v.3).

   B. In the heavenly kingdom the Lord is solely respected:

       1. Peter put the Lord the Law and the prophets to the equal standing by mistake (v.4).

       2. God the Father interrupted Peter and asked them to “hear Him” (v.5).

       3. They experienced God’s goodness and severity (v.6-7).

       4. When they had lifted up their eyes they saw no one but Jesus only (v.8).

II. The witness and way of the vision of the heavenly kingdom:

A. The witness of the vision:

   1. Tell the vision to no one (v.9).

   2. Men may treat them randomly because they did not know the witness (John the Baptist) and the center (Christ) of the vision (v.10-13).

B. The way of the vision:

   1. Before the complete fulfillment of the glorious vision one has to experience the cross (v.22-23a).

   2. Those who know the death and do not know the resurrection are afraid of the cross (v.23b).

III. The application in life of the vision of the heavenly kingdom:

    A. One has to use the power of the kingdom by faith:

       1. In real life at the foot of the mountain there was trouble of the power of darkness (v.14-15).

       2. Because the disciples relied on themselves they failed to cast out the demon (v.16-18).

       3. The Lord said that the reason of the failure was their “unbelief” (v.19-20).

       4. This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting (v.21).

   B. One has to hear Him in everything:

       1. Peter had not asked the Lord and answered them who received the temple tax “Yes” (v.24-25a).

       2. The Lord asked Peter “From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes from their sons?” (v.25b).

       3. Then the sons are free (v.26).

       4. The Lord asked Peter to take a fish and find a piece of money to pay the tax teaching him that he should learn to ask the Lord in everything and walk according to His words (v.27).

 

The Revelation of the Kingdom of A Thousand Years (v.1-8)

I. Christ gains glory and reigns (See Rev. 11:15).

II. Peter James and John symbolize the house of Israel (See Rom. 11:26).

III. Moses symbolizes believers who died and rose up (See 1Cor. 15:52 1Thess. 4:16).

IV. Elijah symbolizes believers who are caught up when they live (See 1Thess. 4:17).

V. The men who were left at the foot of the mountain symbolize nations (See Is. 11:10-12).

 

The Guidance of the Lord

I. The Lord led the disciples up on a mountain for devotions:

  A. They saw the glory of the Lord (v.1-4).

   B. They heard the voice of God (v.5).

   C. They were comforted by the Lord (v.6-7).

   D. The end of their devotions------“they saw no one but Jesus only” (v.8).

II. The Lord led the disciples down at the foot of the mountain for practices:

   A. Contacting with the world------tell what they saw to no one because they may be treated randomly for lack of knowledge (v.9-13).

   B. The problem of the demon-possessed men------they should pray and fast using the heavenly power by the deeds of faith (v. 14-21).

   C. The Lord foretold them that He would encounter sufferings of cross (v.22-23).

   D. The problem of the temple tax------they should ask the Lord in everything and walk according to His words (v.24-27).

 

── Caleb HuangChristian Digest Bible Commentary Series

   Translated by Sharon Ren