Matthew 17 Then after six days, Jesus proceeds to take along (or: at His side) Peter, Jacob (James) and John, his brother, and progressively leads them up into a high mountain, privately, and to be in accord with what was His own.

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Then after six days, Jesus proceeds to take along (or: at His side) Peter, Jacob (James) and John, his brother, and progressively leads them up into a high mountain, privately, and to be in accord with what was His own. ² And then, all of a sudden, He was transformed (changed in external form and appearance) and His face radiated light, like a lamp, and shone like the sun. His outer garments also turned white – bright as the light! ³ Next – consider this! – Moses and Elijah, continuing in a discussion and conferring together with Him, were seen by them [i.e., the disciples]. ⁴ Now Peter, making a considered response, said to Jesus, "O Lord (Master), it is beautiful, fine and ideal [for] us to continue being (or: existing) here in this place. If You continue intending [to] (or: If You now will [it to be so]; If You desire [me to]), I will proceed erecting three tents (or: will progressively make three tabernacles; will be constructing three temporary shelters) here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." ⁵ Now consider this! While he was still speaking, a cloud composed of light (or: a cloud full of light; a cloud radiating light; a luminous cloud; an illuminated cloud) suddenly brought shade upon them (or: cast a shadow over them; overshadowed, or enveloped them). And think of this! A Voice – from out of the midst of the cloud – progressively saying, "This Man continues existing being My Son! The Beloved One (or: The One exemplifying and expressing My love) within Whom I think good thoughts (or: in Whom I imagine thoughts of wellness and ease; in Whom I appear well; in Whom I approve and of Whom I have a good opinion). Make it a habit to listen, to continue paying attention, and then to [really] hear Him (implies: obey Him)!" ⁶ At once, upon hearing [this], the disciples fell (= flung themselves) upon their faces and then were made extremely afraid (or: became terrified). ⁷ So Jesus approached and, upon touching – and as it were kindling – them, said, "Be aroused, get up and stop being made afraid!" ⁸ Now, upon lifting up their eyes, they saw no one (or: not even one person) except Him – only Jesus. ⁹ Later, during their progressively walking down out of the mountain, Jesus gave an implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive), while saying, "You men should speak of the results of what was seen (or: tell the vision; speak of the sight) to no one until [the situation] where the Son of the Man (mankind's son; = Adam's Son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure) could (or: should; would) be aroused and raised up out from among dead folks." ¹⁰ At this, the disciples questioned Him, in saying, "Why, in light of this (or: therefore), are the scribes (the scholars; the experts in the sacred Scriptures) constantly saying that it is binding (necessary) for Elijah to come first?" ¹¹ So He, giving a decided answer, said, "Elijah is indeed progressively coming, and he will move all men (or: things) away from where they have been placed (or: put) down, and from what has been firmly established. ¹² "Yet, I am continuing in telling you men that Elijah already comes and they do not recognize (or: fully know) Him. But even more, they perform on Him as many things as they wish and intend. (or: ... Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but rather, they did in him as much as they wanted.) In this way, even the Son of the Man (mankind's son; = Adam's Son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure; or: the Human Being) is progressively about to continue experiencing [things] by them, even suffering under them." ¹³ At that point, the disciples put it together that He spoke to them about John the Immerser (or: baptist). ¹⁴ Then, upon coming toward the crowd, a man came toward Him, proceeding to fall to his knees [before] Him, and then saying, ¹⁵ "O Lord (Master), mercy (perform mercy on, or express mercy in) my son, because he continues being moon-struck (= a lunatic; perhaps = an epileptic) and habitually has it badly (= has an ugly time being ill). You see, many times he has the habit of falling into the fire, and often into the water. ¹⁶ "So I brought him to Your disciples, and yet they had no power (were unable) to cure or heal him." ¹⁷ Now Jesus, giving a discerning reply, said, "O faithless generation that is void of trust, as well as being one that has been thoroughly twisted and distorted! Until what time (Till when; = How long) will I continue being with you folks? Until what time will I, Myself, continue holding you people up? You folks proceed to bring him here, to Me." ¹⁸ Then Jesus dispensed further value and honor to him [i.e., the boy; or: Jesus spoke respectful admonition to it {i.e., the demon}], and "the demon" (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influence) went out and away from him. And so the boy was cured and healed from that hour. ¹⁹ At that point the disciples, coming to Jesus privately, down in His own spot, said, "Why and through what situation were we without power and unable to cast it out (or: expel it)?" ²⁰ So Jesus proceeds saying to them, "Because of your little trust and small faith-confidence. For truly (amen) I am now saying to you men, if you can progressively hold trust, and habitually have faith – as a mustard seed (grain of mustard), you folks will say to this mountain, 'Move at once, from this place [to over] there! (= Change locations!),' and it will be transferring (moving). And so, nothing will continue being impossible for (or: to; in; with) you men." ²¹ [the earlier MSS omit this verse: "Yet this kind does not normally go out, except within prayer and fasting."] ²² Now during their being progressively twisted together [as strands of a single rope] (or: being habitually turned together [as, toward one another; = experiencing increasing solidarity]; perhaps = coming together in a gathering; [with other MSS: turning back again together; may = going about together, wandering about]) within the Galilee [district], Jesus said to them, "The Son of the Man (= the son of Adam; = the eschatological messianic figure; or: the human son) is progressively about to be turned over into [the] hands of humanity (into mankind's hands), ²³ "and then they will kill Him off, and later, on (or: in; during) the third day, He will be aroused and raised up." Consequently, they were extremely pained, distressed and saddened with grief. ²⁴ Now upon their coming into Capernaum, the men normally taking (receiving; = collecting) the two-drachma coin [a yearly tax levied on individuals for the upkeep of the Temple] approached Peter and said, "Is not your teacher in the habit of settling [the account; = paying] the two-drachma [dues]?" ²⁵ He then says, "Yes." However, upon coming into the house, Jesus anticipates and gets ahead of him by saying, "What do you normally think or suppose (or: What is your usual opinion), Simon? From which people are the kings of the land (or: earth) normally taking (or: receiving; = collecting) payment of duties (taxes; customs; tributes) or a census tax (or: poll tax) – from their sons (= family; perhaps = their own tribe or people; perhaps idiomatically = their own citizens), or from the aliens (strangers; those belonging to another, perhaps a conquered country)?" ²⁶ Now at [his] saying, "From the aliens (strangers; those not belonging to their families, tribes or people)," Jesus affirms, "Consequently then, the sons (their own family and people) exist being (are) freemen (thus, tax-free and exempt). ²⁷ "Yet, so that we would not be, as it were, bait on a trap-spring and thus snare them or cause them to stumble in regard to us, after going on your way unto the lake (or: sea), cast a fishhook [into the lake/sea], and pick up the first fish coming up. Then, upon opening up its mouth, you will find a stater (a silver coin worth four drachmas). Taking [it], give that to them on behalf of Me, as well as you."