Matthew 17: The Transfiguration

Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain, where His face shines like the sun and Moses and Elijah appear. A bright cloud covers them, and the Father says, This is my beloved Son... Listen to him. Coming down, Jesus heals a boy His disciples could not help, teaches about faith like a mustard seed, and pays the temple tax with a coin from a fish's mouth.

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Read Matthew 17

World English Bible · 27 verses

¹ After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Jesus answered them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ When they came to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down to him and saying,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers grievously; for he often falls into the fire, and often into the water.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ So I brought him to your disciples, and they could not cure him.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you? Bring him here to me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ Jesus rebuked the demon, and it went out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately, and said, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ But this kind doesn’t go out except by prayer and fasting.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² While they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered up into the hands of men,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ and they will kill him, and the third day he will be raised up.” They were exceedingly sorry.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Matthew 17 · Preschool

Jesus Shines Bright

Name Date

Color the picture. Point to Jesus shining on the mountain, the bright cloud, and Peter, James and John.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.”

Matthew 17:2 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: Jesus is God's Son. We should listen to Him! Ask: What shone like the sun? (Jesus' face!)

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Matthew 17 · Grade 4

A Glimpse of Glory

Name Date

Read and Think

Six days after Peter's confession, Jesus led Peter, James and John up a high mountain. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light. Moses, who gave the Law, and Elijah, the great prophet, appeared and spoke with Him.

Peter, not knowing what to say, offered to build three tents. A bright cloud overshadowed them, and the Father spoke: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." The disciples fell down terrified, but Jesus touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid." When they looked up, they saw only Jesus.

Coming down, they met a desperate father whose son suffered terribly. The disciples had not been able to help, but Jesus healed the boy at once. He told them the problem was their little faith; faith even as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, because the power is God's. Jesus again predicted His death and resurrection, and the disciples were very sad.

Show What You Know

Who appeared with Jesus, and whom do they represent?
What did the Father command the disciples?
What did the disciples see when they looked up?
Why could the disciples not heal the boy, according to Jesus?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

shonesonMosesJesus

His face like the sun and His clothes became as white as the light.
, who gave the Law, and Elijah, the great prophet, appeared and spoke with Him.
Coming down, they met a desperate father whose suffered terribly.
The disciples had not been able to help, but healed the boy at once.

Think About It

The disciples saw only Jesus. What would it mean for you to keep Jesus at the center of your life?
Faith as small as a mustard seed can do great things because God is great. What is a mountain you can bring to God in prayer?

Memory Verse

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

Matthew 17:5 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

Peter, James and John fell on their faces when they heard the Father's voice. What does their fear teach you about how great God is?
Jesus paid the temple tax so He would not cause others to stumble. When could you give up your rights to keep peace with others?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Matthew 17 · Grade 5

Listen to Him

Name Date

Read and Think

The transfiguration gave three disciples a preview of Jesus' glory before His suffering. On the mountain, Jesus' hidden divine glory shone through. Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, spoke with Him; all of Scripture points to Jesus. The bright cloud recalls God's glory-cloud in the wilderness and at the tabernacle.

The Father repeated the words spoken at Jesus' baptism and added, "Listen to him." Jesus is the Prophet like Moses whom God promised, and He is greater than Moses and Elijah. On the way down, the disciples asked about Elijah coming first. Jesus explained that John the Baptist had come in Elijah's role, and that the Son of Man would also suffer.

The glory of the mountain met the trouble of the valley. A father knelt for his son, whom the disciples could not help. Jesus rebuked the demon and the boy was healed. Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough because it trusts the great God. The chapter ends with the temple tax. As God's Son, Jesus was free from paying it, yet He paid it to avoid offense, providing a coin miraculously from a fish's mouth.

Show What You Know

What did the transfiguration reveal to the disciples?
What does the presence of Moses and Elijah suggest?
What did Jesus say about Elijah coming first?
Why is small faith enough, according to Jesus' teaching?
Why did Jesus pay the temple tax?

Crossword

Across

A voice spoke from it.
He came and talked with Jesus with Elijah.
He came and talked with Jesus with Moses.
Jesus' face shone like this.

Down

God said to ____ to Jesus.
Peter found a coin in its mouth.

Think About It

Peter wanted to stay on the mountain. Why do you think Jesus led them back down into the valley?
How can you listen to Jesus this week? Name a specific way.

Memory Verse

He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

What need can you bring to Jesus that you cannot fix?
How can you grow in trusting God when you talk to Him?
What is one specific way you could live out this chapter this week?

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Matthew 17: The Transfiguration

Read Matthew 17

Worksheets

Jesus Shines Bright

Prayer

Take It Home

Listen to Jesus

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

On the Mountain

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Prayer

Take It Home

Jesus Shines Like the Sun

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Glory on the Mountain

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

A Glimpse of Glory

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Listen to Him

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options