Matthew 17: Glory, Faith & Kingdom Economics

MATTHEW 17 STRUCTURE
    │
    ├─ vv. 1-13   TRANSFIGURATION → Glory Revealed
    │   ├─► Mountain: Jesus transformed, face like sun
    │   ├─► Moses + Elijah appear (Law + Prophets)
    │   ├─► Peter: "Let's build shelters" (wrong response)
    │   ├─► Father's voice: "This is my Son—LISTEN TO HIM"
    │   └─► Descent: Elijah = John the Baptist (already came)
    │       Suffering precedes glory
    │
    ├─ vv. 14-21  FAILED EXORCISM → Faith Tested
    │   ├─► Disciples couldn't heal demon-possessed boy
    │   ├─► "Unbelieving and perverse generation"
    │   ├─► Jesus heals instantly
    │   └─► Why failure? "Little faith"
    │       Mustard seed faith moves mountains
    │
    ├─ vv. 22-23  DEATH PREDICTION → Glory Through Death
    │   ├─► "Son of Man will be delivered"
    │   ├─► Killed → raised on third day
    │   └─► Disciples: filled with grief
    │       Still not grasping resurrection hope
    │
    └─ vv. 24-27  TEMPLE TAX → Kingdom Economics
        ├─► Question: "Does your teacher pay temple tax?"
        ├─► Jesus: "Kings tax others, not their children"
        ├─► Sons of kingdom = exempt
        └─► But: Pay anyway (not to cause offense)
            Miraculous provision: coin in fish's mouth

CHAPTER 16 ENDS:
    │
    └─► "Some standing here will not taste death
         before they see the Son of Man
         coming in his kingdom" (16:28)
        │
        └─► CHAPTER 17 OPENS:
            │
            └─► "After SIX DAYS..."
                │
                └─► Fulfillment of promise
                    │
                    └─► Three disciples SEE glory
                        Preview of kingdom
                        Foretaste of resurrection reality

TRANSFIGURATION = ANSWER TO:
    │
    ├─ Peter's confession (16:16): "You are the Messiah"
    │   └─► NOW confirmed by Father's voice
    │
    ├─ Peter's rebuke (16:22): "Never, Lord!"
    │   └─► NOW corrected: suffering THEN glory
    │
    └─► Promise of kingdom glimpse (16:28)
        └─► NOW fulfilled: glory revealed

THE PATTERN ESTABLISHED:
    │
    └─► MOUNTAIN = Glory
        │
        └─► Down from mountain = Suffering
            │
            └─► This is the ORDER:
                │
                ├─ See glory (Transfiguration)
                ├─ Enter suffering (failed disciples, death prediction)
                └─► Glory through suffering (not around it)

SAME PATTERN REPEATED:
    │
    ├─ Moses on Sinai → Glory
    │   └─► Down to golden calf → Suffering
    │
    ├─ Elijah on Carmel → Victory
    │   └─► Down to flee Jezebel → Suffering
    │
    └─► Jesus on Transfiguration mount → Glory
        └─► Down to cross → Suffering → Resurrection

THE SETTING (v. 1)
    │
    └─► "After SIX DAYS"
        │
        ├─ Why six days?
        │   │
        │   └─► Echoes Exodus 24:16:
        │       │
        │       └─► "The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai.
        │            For SIX DAYS the cloud covered the mountain;
        │            on the SEVENTH day the LORD called to Moses
        │            from within the cloud"
        │           │
        │           └─► Same pattern:
        │               Six days of waiting
        │               Then glory revealed
        │
        └─► "HIGH MOUNTAIN by themselves"
            │
            └─► Location debated:
                │
                ├─ Mount Tabor (traditional)
                │   └─► Problem: not "high" (only 1,800 ft)
                │       Had fortification on top
                │
                └─► Mount Hermon (more likely)
                    └─► 9,200 ft at summit
                        Near Caesarea Philippi
                        (where Peter's confession happened)
                        │
                        └─► Truly "high mountain"
                            Private, isolated

THE INNER THREE
    │
    └─► Peter, James, and John
        │
        └─► Why only these three?
            │
            ├─ Same three at:
            │   │
            │   ├─ Jairus' daughter raising (Mark 5:37)
            │   ├─ Gethsemane agony (Matt 26:37)
            │   └─► Mount of Olives discourse (Mark 13:3)
            │
            └─► Pattern: Privileged witnesses to:
                │
                ├─ Power over death (Jairus)
                ├─ Glory revealed (Transfiguration)
                └─► Deepest suffering (Gethsemane)
                    │
                    └─► Can't witness glory
                        Without witnessing suffering
                        They're linked

"HE WAS TRANSFIGURED BEFORE THEM"
    │
    └─► μετεμορφώθη (metemorphōthē)
        │
        └─► Not: external change of appearance
            IS: revealing of true nature
            │
            └─► The veil lifted
                │
                └─► What was hidden = now visible
                    Divine glory shining through humanity

"HIS FACE SHONE LIKE THE SUN"
    │
    └─► Compare:
        │
        ├─ Moses' face (Ex 34:29-35):
        │   └─► Reflected glory from being with God
        │       Faded over time
        │       Had to be veiled
        │
        └─► Jesus' face:
            └─► Inherent glory from within
                Not reflected, but SOURCE
                │
                └─► 2 Cor 4:6: "The light of the knowledge
                               of God's glory displayed
                               in the FACE OF CHRIST"

"HIS CLOTHES BECAME WHITE AS LIGHT"
    │
    └─► λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς
        "White as THE light"
        │
        └─► Not just white fabric
            Light itself
            │
            └─► Mark adds: "dazzling white,
                           whiter than anyone in the world
                           could bleach them" (9:3)
                │
                └─► Supernatural brilliance
                    Beyond earthly whiteness

WHAT DISCIPLES SAW:
    │
    └─► Preview of resurrection body
        │
        └─► Phil 3:21: "He will transform our lowly bodies
                        so that they will be LIKE
                        his GLORIOUS BODY"
            │
            └─► This is what's coming:
                Glorified humanity
                Physical but transformed
                │
                └─► Rev 1:16: "His face was like
                              the sun shining
                              in all its brilliance"
                    │
                    └─► Same description
                        Transfiguration = preview
                        Revelation = permanent state

"MOSES AND ELIJAH, TALKING WITH JESUS"
    │
    └─► Why these two?
        │
        ├─ MOSES = The Law
        │   │
        │   ├─ Gave Torah at Sinai
        │   ├─ Mediator of old covenant
        │   └─► Deut 18:15: "The LORD your God
        │                    will raise up for you
        │                    a prophet LIKE ME"
        │       │
        │       └─► Moses predicted greater prophet
        │           Now stands WITH Him
        │
        └─► ELIJAH = The Prophets
            │
            ├─ Greatest of prophets
            ├─ Confronted false worship
            └─► Mal 4:5: "I will send the prophet ELIJAH
                         before that great and dreadful
                         day of the LORD"
                │
                └─► Prophesied to return
                    Here he is with Jesus

TOGETHER:
    │
    └─► Law + Prophets = entire Old Testament
        │
        └─► Both point to Jesus
            Both fulfilled in Jesus
            │
            └─► Luke 24:27: "Beginning with MOSES
                            and all the PROPHETS,
                            he explained what was said
                            in all the Scriptures
                            concerning HIMSELF"

WHAT WERE THEY DISCUSSING?
    │
    └─► Luke 9:31 reveals:
        │
        └─► "They spoke about his DEPARTURE
             which he was about to bring to fulfillment
             at Jerusalem"
            │
            └─► ἔξοδον (exodon) — "exodus, departure"
                │
                └─► His death = His "exodus"
                    │
                    └─► Moses led exodus from Egypt
                        Jesus leads exodus from sin/death
                        │
                        └─► Greater liberation
                            Not from Pharaoh
                            From Satan, sin, death

THEIR UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS:
    │
    ├─ Moses: Knew suffering for God's people
    │   └─► 40 years in wilderness
    │       People rebelled constantly
    │       Saw promised land, couldn't enter
    │
    └─► Elijah: Knew rejection by Israel
        └─► Hunted by Jezebel
            "I alone am left"
            Taken to heaven without dying
            │
            └─► Both knew:
                Serving God = suffering
                Now with Jesus discussing HIS suffering

"LORD, IT IS GOOD FOR US TO BE HERE"
    │
    └─► True statement
        │
        └─► καλόν ἐστιν ἡμᾶς ὧδε εἶναι
            "Good it is for us here to be"
            │
            └─► Who wouldn't want to stay?
                Glory visible
                Heaven touching earth
                No suffering here

"I WILL PUT UP THREE SHELTERS"
    │
    └─► σκηνάς (skēnas) — "tents, tabernacles"
        │
        └─► Why shelters?
            │
            ├─ Feast of Tabernacles connection:
            │   └─► Jews built booths
            │       Remembered wilderness wandering
            │       Anticipated messianic age
            │
            └─► Peter's logic:
                │
                ├─ "This must be IT"
                ├─ Messianic age arriving
                ├─ Let's preserve this moment
                └─► Make it permanent
                    │
                    └─► PROBLEM:
                        │
                        └─► Trying to skip the cross
                            Stay on mountaintop
                            Bypass Jerusalem

PETER'S ERROR:
    │
    ├─ Error #1: Equalizing Jesus with Moses/Elijah
    │   └─► "One for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah"
    │       │
    │       └─► Three equal shelters
    │           Three great figures
    │           │
    │           BUT: Jesus isn't one of three
    │           Jesus is the ONE they all point to
    │
    ├─ Error #2: Wanting to institutionalize the moment
    │   └─► Build structures
    │       Capture the experience
    │       │
    │       └─► Can't contain glory in buildings
    │           Glory is a Person, not a place
    │
    └─► Error #3: Avoiding what comes next
        └─► Stay on mountain = skip cross
            │
            └─► Same error as 16:22:
                "Never, Lord!"
                │
                └─► Peter still doesn't get it:
                    Glory comes THROUGH suffering
                    Not instead of it

MARK'S COMMENTARY (9:6):
    │
    └─► "He did not know what to say,
         they were so frightened"
        │
        └─► Peter blurting
            Not thinking
            Fear response
            │
            └─► When overwhelmed by glory:
                Human response = try to manage it
                Build something
                Control it
                │
                └─► Can't control God's glory
                    Can only receive it

"A BRIGHT CLOUD COVERED THEM"
    │
    └─► νεφέλη φωτεινή — "cloud luminous"
        │
        └─► THE SHEKINAH:
            │
            ├─ Ex 40:34-35: Cloud covered tabernacle
            │   Glory of LORD filled it
            │
            ├─ 1 Kings 8:10-11: Cloud filled temple
            │   Priests couldn't stand to minister
            │
            └─► Same glory cloud
                Same divine presence
                │
                └─► God's presence in cloud:
                    Conceals and reveals simultaneously
                    Too bright to see fully
                    Too real to deny

"THIS IS MY SON, WHOM I LOVE;
 WITH HIM I AM WELL PLEASED.
 LISTEN TO HIM!"
    │
    └─► Three statements:
        │
        ├─ IDENTITY: "This is my Son"
        │   │
        │   └─► Not one of three great figures
        │       THE Son
        │       Unique relationship
        │       │
        │       └─► Answers 16:16:
        │           Peter: "You are the Son of the living God"
        │           Father: "Yes, He is MY SON"
        │
        ├─ AFFECTION: "Whom I love; well pleased"
        │   │
        │   └─► ὁ ἀγαπητός — "the beloved one"
        │       │
        │       └─► Same words as baptism (3:17)
        │           Father's delight unchanged
        │           Even facing cross
        │
        └─► COMMAND: "LISTEN TO HIM"
            │
            └─► ἀκούετε αὐτοῦ — "hear/obey him"
                │
                └─► Direct quote: Deut 18:15
                    │
                    └─► "The LORD your God will raise up
                         for you a prophet like me...
                         You must LISTEN TO HIM"
                        │
                        └─► Moses said listen to coming prophet
                            Father says: THIS IS HIM
                            LISTEN TO HIM
                            │
                            └─► Moses and Elijah fade
                                Only Jesus remains
                                Only His voice matters now

THE FATHER'S CORRECTION OF PETER:
    │
    └─► Peter: "Let me build three shelters"
               (Treating Jesus as one among equals)
        │
        └─► Father: "This is MY SON—LISTEN TO HIM"
                    (Jesus is unique; only He speaks now)
            │
            └─► Law (Moses) → pointed to Jesus
                Prophets (Elijah) → pointed to Jesus
                │
                └─► Now that Jesus is here:
                    Don't go back to Moses
                    Don't wait for Elijah
                    LISTEN TO HIM
                    │
                    └─► Heb 1:1-2: "In the past God spoke
                                    through prophets...
                                    in these last days
                                    he has spoken by his SON"

"THEY FELL FACEDOWN, TERRIFIED"
    │
    └─► ἐφοβήθησαν σφόδρα — "feared exceedingly"
        │
        └─► Appropriate response to glory
            │
            └─► Isaiah 6:5: "Woe to me! I am ruined!"
                Ezekiel 1:28: "I fell facedown"
                Daniel 10:9: "Face to the ground, deep sleep"
                Rev 1:17: "I fell at his feet as though dead"
                │
                └─► Pattern: Encountering divine glory
                    → Overwhelming fear
                    → Prostration
                    │
                    └─► Not casual experience
                        Terrifying in true sense
                        Awe beyond words

"JESUS CAME AND TOUCHED THEM"
    │
    └─► ἥψατο αὐτῶν — "he touched them"
        │
        └─► Physical contact
            │
            └─► Same touch that:
                │
                ├─ Healed lepers (8:3)
                ├─ Opened blind eyes (9:29)
                └─► Raised dead girl (9:25)
                    │
                    └─► Power in His touch
                        But here: comfort
                        Reassurance
                        │
                        └─► Glory doesn't destroy
                            It restores
                            When mediated through Jesus

"GET UP. DON'T BE AFRAID"
    │
    └─► ἐγέρθητε καὶ μὴ φοβεῖσθε
        │
        └─► Same words throughout Scripture:
            │
            ├─ To Abram: "Do not be afraid" (Gen 15:1)
            ├─ To Jacob: "Do not be afraid" (Gen 46:3)
            ├─ To Isaiah: "Do not fear" (Isa 41:10)
            └─► To disciples: "Fear not" (Matt 28:10)
                │
                └─► Divine pattern:
                    Overwhelming glory appears
                    Human fear responds
                    God says: "Fear not"
                    │
                    └─► Fear appropriate initially
                        But not meant to paralyze
                        Faith moves past fear

"THEY SAW NO ONE EXCEPT JESUS" (v. 8)
    │
    └─► Moses: gone
        Elijah: gone
        Cloud: gone
        Voice: silent
        │
        └─► ONLY JESUS
            │
            └─► The point:
                │
                ├─ Law served its purpose → fulfilled
                ├─ Prophets served their purpose → fulfilled
                └─► Now: Jesus alone
                    │
                    └─► Heb 12:2: "Fixing our eyes on JESUS,
                                   the pioneer and perfecter of faith"
                        │
                        └─► Not Moses AND Jesus
                            Not Elijah AND Jesus
                            ONLY JESUS

"DON'T TELL ANYONE... UNTIL RAISED FROM DEAD" (v. 9)
    │
    └─► The messianic secret continues
        │
        └─► Why silence?
            │
            ├─ Glory without context = misunderstood
            │   └─► They'd expect military Messiah
            │       Triumphant king NOW
            │
            ├─ Must see cross first
            │   └─► Glory through suffering
            │       Not glory instead of suffering
            │
            └─► After resurrection:
                └─► THEN tell everyone
                    THEN it makes sense
                    Cross + resurrection = complete picture
                    │
                    └─► 2 Peter 1:16-18:
                        Peter DOES tell—later
                        "We were eyewitnesses of his majesty"
                        After resurrection, silence lifted

"WHY DO SCRIBES SAY ELIJAH MUST COME FIRST?" (v. 10)
    │
    └─► Their confusion:
        │
        └─► Just saw Elijah
            But Malachi says Elijah comes BEFORE Messiah
            │
            └─► Mal 4:5: "I will send the prophet Elijah
                         BEFORE that great and dreadful
                         day of the LORD"
                │
                └─► Logic problem:
                    │
                    ├─ If Jesus is Messiah...
                    ├─ And Elijah must come first...
                    ├─ But we just saw Elijah NOW...
                    └─► How does this work?

JESUS' ANSWER (vv. 11-12):
    │
    └─► "Elijah comes and will restore all things"
         (Prophecy confirmed)
        │
        └─► "BUT... Elijah has ALREADY COME"
             (Prophecy fulfilled)
            │
            └─► "They did not recognize him"
                 (Israel's blindness)
                │
                └─► "Did to him everything they wished"
                     (John the Baptist beheaded)
                    │
                    └─► "In the same way the Son of Man
                         is going to suffer at their hands"
                        │
                        └─► Pattern established:
                            │
                            ├─ Elijah (John): came, rejected, killed
                            └─► Messiah (Jesus): came, will be rejected, killed
                                │
                                └─► Suffering precedes glory
                                    For forerunner AND Messiah

DISCIPLES' UNDERSTANDING (v. 13):
    │
    └─► "Then the disciples understood
         he was talking about John the Baptist"
        │
        └─► Elijah = John the Baptist
            │
            └─► Not literal reincarnation
                Spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17)
                │
                └─► John's ministry:
                    │
                    ├─ Called Israel to repentance
                    ├─ Prepared way for Messiah
                    ├─ Confronted sin boldly
                    └─► Was rejected and killed
                        │
                        └─► Exactly what Elijah-figure would do
                            Exactly what happened to original Elijah (almost)
                            │
                            └─► Pattern: Prophets rejected
                                Messiah will be rejected
                                Mount of glory leads to valley of death

THE CONTRAST:
    │
    └─► MOUNTAIN: Glory, presence, power
        │
        └─► VALLEY: Suffering, failure, demons
            │
            └─► Always this pattern:
                │
                ├─ Moses descends → golden calf
                ├─ Elijah descends → flees Jezebel
                └─► Jesus descends → disciples failed
                    │
                    └─► Mountaintop experiences
                        Don't eliminate valley challenges
                        Must return to broken world

"A MAN APPROACHED... AND KNELT" (v. 14)
    │
    └─► γονυπετῶν αὐτόν — "kneeling to him"
        │
        └─► Posture of:
            │
            ├─ Desperation
            ├─ Reverence
            └─► Last resort
                │
                └─► This man tried everything
                    Even brought son to disciples
                    They failed
                    Now only Jesus left

"LORD, HAVE MERCY ON MY SON" (v. 15)
    │
    └─► Κύριε, ἐλέησόν — "Lord, have mercy"
        │
        └─► Same cry as:
            │
            ├─ Two blind men (9:27)
            ├─ Canaanite woman (15:22)
            └─► Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:47)
                │
                └─► Universal cry of the desperate:
                    "Have mercy"
                    Not demanding
                    Appealing to compassion

THE SON'S CONDITION:
    │
    └─► "He has seizures" (σεληνιάζεται)
        │
        └─► Literally: "is moonstruck"
            │
            └─► Ancient belief: lunar influence
                │
                └─► BUT: Mark 9:17-18 clarifies:
                    │
                    └─► "Spirit that has robbed him of speech...
                         seizes him, throws him down...
                         foams at mouth, gnashes teeth,
                         becomes rigid"
                        │
                        └─► Not merely epilepsy
                            Demonic possession with seizures
                            │
                            └─► Mark 9:22: "Often thrown into
                                           fire or water to kill him"
                                │
                                └─► Destructive spirit
                                    Trying to destroy the boy
                                    Father watching helplessly

"I BROUGHT HIM TO YOUR DISCIPLES,
 BUT THEY COULD NOT HEAL HIM" (v. 16)
    │
    └─► οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν — "they were not able"
        │
        └─► Same disciples who:
            │
            ├─ Were sent out (10:1)
            ├─ Given authority over unclean spirits
            ├─ Healed sick, raised dead, cast out demons
            │
            └─► Now: FAILURE
                │
                └─► What changed?
                    Authority was real
                    Power was given
                    │
                    └─► But something broke the connection
                        Something blocked the power
                        What?

"YOU UNBELIEVING AND PERVERSE GENERATION"
    │
    └─► ὦ γενεὰ ἄπιστος καὶ διεστραμμένη
        │
        └─► Strong language:
            │
            ├─ ἄπιστος — "without faith, unbelieving"
            │
            └─► διεστραμμένη — "twisted, distorted, perverted"
                │
                └─► Same word Moses used:
                    │
                    └─► Deut 32:5: "A warped and crooked generation"
                        │
                        └─► Wilderness generation:
                            Saw miracles
                            Still didn't believe
                            │
                            └─► This generation:
                                Seeing greater miracles
                                Still struggling with faith

WHO IS ADDRESSED?
    │
    ├─ Option 1: The crowd
    │   └─► General unbelief of Israel
    │
    ├─ Option 2: The disciples specifically
    │   └─► They had authority, failed to use it
    │
    └─► Option 3: All of them (most likely)
        └─► The whole atmosphere of unbelief
            Disciples caught in it
            Father's partial faith ("if you can")
            Crowd's spectacle-seeking
            │
            └─► Unbelief is contagious
                Environment affects faith
                Even disciples infected

"HOW LONG SHALL I STAY WITH YOU?
 HOW LONG SHALL I PUT UP WITH YOU?"
    │
    └─► Exasperation expressed
        │
        └─► Not: petty frustration
            IS: holy grief
            │
            └─► Just came from:
                │
                ├─ Glory on mountain
                ├─ Moses and Elijah
                ├─ Father's voice
                │
                └─► NOW: Faithless generation
                    │
                    └─► The contrast is crushing
                        Heaven's glory → earth's unbelief
                        Father's affirmation → disciples' failure
                        │
                        └─► How long until they understand?
                            How long until faith takes root?

"JESUS REBUKED THE DEMON"
    │
    └─► ἐπετίμησεν αὐτῷ — "rebuked it"
        │
        └─► Same word used for:
            │
            ├─ Wind and waves (8:26)
            ├─ Peter (16:22)
            └─► Demons throughout ministry
                │
                └─► Authoritative command
                    No ritual
                    No formula
                    Just: "Out."
                    │
                    └─► Mark 9:25 records the command:
                        "You deaf and mute spirit, I command you,
                         come out of him and never enter him again"
                        │
                        └─► Specific
                            Final
                            Irresistible

"IT CAME OUT... HEALED AT THAT MOMENT"
    │
    └─► ἀπ᾽ ἐκείνης τῆς ὥρας — "from that very hour"
        │
        └─► Instant
            Complete
            Permanent
            │
            └─► Disciples struggled → failed
                Jesus spoke → done
                │
                └─► Not technique difference
                    Authority difference
                    Connection difference

"WHY COULDN'T WE DRIVE IT OUT?"
    │
    └─► Διὰ τί ἡμεῖς οὐκ ἠδυνήθημεν
        │
        └─► Honest question
            │
            └─► They had cast out demons before (10:8)
                This time: nothing
                │
                └─► What went wrong?
                    Different demon?
                    Different technique needed?
                    Lost the power?

JESUS' ANSWER: "BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO LITTLE FAITH"
    │
    └─► διὰ τὴν ὀλιγοπιστίαν ὑμῶν
        "Because of your little-faith"
        │
        └─► ὀλιγοπιστία — compound word:
            │
            ├─ ὀλίγος — "little, small"
            └─► πίστις — "faith"
                │
                └─► Not: NO faith
                    IS: LITTLE faith
                    │
                    └─► They had some faith
                        But not enough for this situation
                        │
                        └─► Some demons require MORE faith?
                            Or: their faith had shrunk?

THE MUSTARD SEED PRINCIPLE:
    │
    └─► "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed,
         you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,'
         and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
        │
        └─► Wait... seems contradictory:
            │
            ├─ Problem: "little faith"
            ├─ Solution: "mustard seed" (tiny!)
            │
            └─► How can TINY faith move mountains
                When LITTLE faith couldn't cast out demon?

THE RESOLUTION:
    │
    └─► It's not about SIZE of faith
        It's about QUALITY/OBJECT of faith
        │
        ├─ Mustard seed faith:
        │   └─► Small but GENUINE
        │       Small but ALIVE
        │       Small but GROWING
        │       Connected to unlimited power source
        │
        └─► Little faith (ὀλιγοπιστία):
            └─► Wavering
                Doubting
                Mixed with unbelief
                Not fully trusting
                │
                └─► Quantity present but quality lacking

THE ANALOGY:
    │
    └─► Electrical circuit:
        │
        ├─ Strong connection (mustard seed):
        │   └─► Small wire, but fully connected
        │       Full current flows
        │       Can power anything
        │
        └─► Weak connection (little faith):
            └─► Big wire, but corroded
                Resistance in circuit
                Current can't flow
                │
                └─► It's not wire size
                    It's connection quality

MOUNTAINS MOVING:
    │
    └─► "This mountain" — Which mountain?
        │
        └─► Just came down from mountain of Transfiguration
            │
            └─► Possible meaning:
                │
                ├─ Literal mountains (hyperbole for impossible)
                ├─ This specific mountain they're near
                └─► Any obstacle, any impossibility
                    │
                    └─► "Nothing will be impossible"
                        οὐδὲν ἀδυνατήσει ὑμῖν
                        │
                        └─► Faith connected to God
                            = Access to God's power
                            = No limits except God's will

[VERSE 21 — TEXTUAL ISSUE]
    │
    └─► Some manuscripts include:
        │
        └─► "But this kind does not go out
             except by prayer and fasting"
            │
            └─► Likely NOT original to Matthew
                │
                ├─ Missing from earliest manuscripts
                ├─ Probably added from Mark 9:29
                └─► Most modern translations bracket or footnote
                    │
                    └─► IF genuine principle:
                        │
                        └─► Some spiritual battles require:
                            │
                            ├─ Deeper prayer (connection)
                            └─► Fasting (focus, dependence)
                                │
                                └─► Not magic formula
                                    Intensified dependence on God

THE PREDICTION:
    │
    └─► "The Son of Man is going to be
         DELIVERED into the hands of men"
        │
        └─► παραδίδοσθαι — "handed over"
            │
            └─► Same word for:
                │
                ├─ Judas betraying Jesus (26:15)
                ├─ Pilate handing Jesus over (27:26)
                └─► Father delivering Son (Rom 8:32)
                    │
                    └─► Multiple levels of "handing over":
                        │
                        ├─ Judas hands to priests
                        ├─ Priests hand to Pilate
                        ├─ Pilate hands to soldiers
                        └─► Behind all: Father's sovereign plan

"THEY WILL KILL HIM"
    │
    └─► ἀποκτενοῦσιν αὐτόν
        │
        └─► No ambiguity
            Direct statement
            Violent death coming
            │
            └─► This is SECOND prediction
                │
                ├─ First: 16:21 — Detailed (Jerusalem, elders, chief priests, teachers)
                └─► Second: Simplified (delivered, killed, raised)
                    │
                    └─► Repetition for emphasis
                        They need to hear this again
                        And again (third time: 20:17-19)

"ON THE THIRD DAY HE WILL BE RAISED TO LIFE"
    │
    └─► τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθήσεται
        │
        └─► Third day = resurrection
            │
            └─► Not: "after three days" (vague)
                IS: "on the third day" (specific)
                │
                └─► Friday: death
                    Saturday: tomb
                    Sunday: resurrection
                    │
                    └─► "Raised" = passive
                        Father raises Son
                        Death doesn't end story

DISCIPLES' RESPONSE:
    │
    └─► "They were filled with grief"
        │
        └─► ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα — "grieved exceedingly"
            │
            └─► What did they hear?
                │
                ├─ HEARD: "killed"
                └─► MISSED: "raised to life"
                    │
                    └─► Grief blocked hope
                        Death overshadowed resurrection
                        │
                        └─► Same pattern as 16:22:
                            Peter: "Never, Lord!"
                            │
                            └─► Can't accept suffering Messiah
                                Still expecting triumphant king
                                Glory without cross

COMPARE TO CHAPTER 16:
    │
    ├─ First prediction: Peter REBUKES Jesus
    │   └─► Active resistance
    │
    └─► Second prediction: Disciples GRIEVE
        └─► Passive sorrow
            │
            └─► Progress? Maybe.
                │
                └─► At least not arguing
                    Beginning to accept?
                    But still not understanding resurrection

THE PATTERN EMERGING:
    │
    └─► TRANSFIGURATION → DEATH PREDICTION
        │
        └─► Just saw glory
            Now hear of death
            │
            └─► Mountaintop → valley
                Radiance → cross
                Moses/Elijah → "hands of men"
                │
                └─► Can't separate them:
                    │
                    ├─ Glory comes through death
                    ├─ Crown follows cross
                    └─► Resurrection requires crucifixion
                        │
                        └─► Phil 2:8-9: "He humbled himself
                                         by becoming obedient to death—
                                         even death on a cross!
                                         Therefore God exalted him
                                         to the highest place"

THE TAX IN CONTEXT:
    │
    └─► "Two-drachma temple tax"
        │
        └─► Based on Exodus 30:11-16:
            │
            └─► Every male 20+ pays half-shekel
                For tabernacle/temple maintenance
                │
                └─► By Jesus' time:
                    │
                    ├─ Collected annually
                    ├─ Due in Adar (March)
                    ├─ Two drachmas = half-shekel
                    └─► About two days' wages
                        │
                        └─► NOT Roman tax
                            Jewish religious tax
                            For temple operations

"DOESN'T YOUR TEACHER PAY THE TEMPLE TAX?"
    │
    └─► Οὐ τελεῖ ὁ διδάσκαλος ὑμῶν τὰ δίδραχμα;
        │
        └─► The question implies:
            │
            ├─ Possible suspicion Jesus doesn't pay
            ├─ Testing His commitment to temple
            └─► Or just routine inquiry
                │
                └─► Why approach Peter, not Jesus?
                    │
                    └─► Perhaps easier target
                        Or Jesus wasn't visible
                        Peter as spokesman

PETER'S QUICK ANSWER: "Yes, he does"
    │
    └─► Ναί — "Yes"
        │
        └─► Immediate affirmation
            │
            └─► Peter assumes Jesus pays
                Doesn't want teacher seen as deviant
                Quick to defend Jesus' reputation
                │
                BUT: Did Peter check with Jesus first?
                │
                └─► No. He assumed.
                    Then went to find Jesus.

"JESUS WAS FIRST TO SPEAK"
    │
    └─► προέφθασεν αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς — "Jesus anticipated him"
        │
        └─► Before Peter could explain
            Jesus already knew
            │
            └─► Supernatural knowledge:
                │
                ├─ Knew the question
                ├─ Knew Peter's answer
                └─► Knew the teaching moment
                    │
                    └─► John 2:25: "He knew what was in each person"

"FROM WHOM DO KINGS COLLECT DUTY AND TAXES—
 FROM THEIR OWN CHILDREN OR FROM OTHERS?"
    │
    └─► The logic:
        │
        ├─ Kings tax their subjects
        ├─ Kings do NOT tax their own family
        └─► Royal children are EXEMPT
            │
            └─► Application:
                │
                ├─ Temple = Father's house (John 2:16)
                ├─ Jesus = Son of temple's Owner
                ├─ Therefore: Jesus exempt from temple tax
                │
                └─► "Then the children are exempt"
                    ἄρα γε ἐλεύθεροί εἰσιν οἱ υἱοί
                    │
                    └─► υἱοί (sons) = free from obligation

THE THEOLOGICAL CLAIM:
    │
    └─► Jesus is claiming to be:
        │
        ├─ Son of God (temple's Owner)
        │   └─► Therefore exempt from temple tax
        │
        └─► Greater than temple itself
            │
            └─► Matt 12:6: "One greater than the temple is here"
                │
                └─► If greater than temple
                    Not obligated TO temple
                    Temple exists for HIM
                    Not He for temple

BY EXTENSION:
    │
    └─► Disciples are also "sons"
        │
        └─► Part of Jesus' family
            Citizens of true kingdom
            │
            └─► Also technically exempt
                │
                └─► Gal 4:7: "So you are no longer a slave,
                              but God's child;
                              and since you are his child,
                              God has made you also an heir"

"BUT SO THAT WE MAY NOT CAUSE OFFENSE..."
    │
    └─► ἵνα δὲ μὴ σκανδαλίσωμεν αὐτούς
        │
        └─► σκανδαλίζω — "to cause to stumble"
            │
            └─► Jesus' reasoning:
                │
                ├─ We ARE exempt (legal freedom)
                ├─ BUT: exercising freedom could stumble others
                └─► Therefore: voluntarily pay anyway
                    │
                    └─► Freedom doesn't mean:
                        "Assert all rights always"
                        │
                        Freedom means:
                        "Free to NOT assert rights"
                        For sake of mission
                        For sake of others

THE PAUL PRINCIPLE (same logic):
    │
    └─► 1 Cor 9:19: "Though I am free and belong to no one,
                     I have made myself a slave to everyone,
                     to win as many as possible"
        │
        └─► Freedom = ability to serve
            Not: demanding all rights
            IS: laying down rights for gospel
            │
            └─► 1 Cor 8:9: "Be careful that the exercise
                            of your rights does not become
                            a stumbling block to the weak"

JESUS MODELS THIS:
    │
    └─► He IS exempt
        He COULD refuse
        He CHOOSES to pay
        │
        └─► Why?
            │
            ├─ Not: because He owes it
            ├─ Not: because they're right to ask
            └─► IS: because mission matters more
                │
                └─► Refusing would:
                    │
                    ├─ Create unnecessary conflict
                    ├─ Distract from real message
                    ├─ Give enemies ammunition
                    └─► "He doesn't support temple!"
                        │
                        └─► Not worth the battle
                            Pick the right hills to die on
                            This isn't one of them

"GO TO THE LAKE AND THROW OUT YOUR LINE"
    │
    └─► βάλε ἄγκιστρον — "cast a hook"
        │
        └─► Peter = fisherman
            Back to familiar territory
            │
            BUT: unusual instruction:
            │
            └─► "Take the FIRST fish you catch"
                τὸν πρῶτον ἰχθύν
                │
                └─► Specific fish
                    First one
                    Not random

"OPEN ITS MOUTH AND YOU WILL FIND A FOUR-DRACHMA COIN"
    │
    └─► στατῆρα — "stater" (worth 4 drachmas)
        │
        └─► Exactly enough for:
            │
            ├─ Jesus' tax: 2 drachmas
            └─► Peter's tax: 2 drachmas
                │
                └─► Perfect provision
                    Not too much, not too little
                    Precise to the need

WHY THIS METHOD?
    │
    └─► Jesus could have:
        │
        ├─ Created coin from nothing
        ├─ Told Peter where to find money
        ├─ Asked disciples to contribute
        │
        └─► Instead: coin in fish's mouth
            │
            └─► Demonstrates:
                │
                ├─ Sovereignty over creation
                │   └─► Commands fish
                │       Provides through nature
                │       Lord over all
                │
                ├─ Provision through ordinary means
                │   └─► Peter does familiar work
                │       God provides through work
                │       Not magic—integrated provision
                │
                └─► Humor? Playfulness?
                    │
                    └─► Creative solution
                        Memorable lesson
                        "Remember that time..."
                        │
                        └─► Teaching through experience
                            Not just lecture

THE MESSAGE:
    │
    └─► If Jesus provides temple tax through fish
        │
        └─► He can provide for any need
            │
            └─► Matt 6:33: "Seek first his kingdom...
                            and all these things
                            will be given to you"
                │
                └─► Kingdom priorities first
                    Provision follows

MATTHEW 17 ARCHITECTURE:
    │
    ├─ GLORY REVEALED (vv. 1-13)
    │   └─► Who Jesus IS
    │       │
    │       ├─ Divine identity: Face like sun, clothes like light
    │       ├─ Fulfillment: Moses + Elijah = Law + Prophets completed
    │       └─► Father's declaration: "My Son—LISTEN TO HIM"
    │
    ├─ FAITH TESTED (vv. 14-21)
    │   └─► What disciples LACK
    │       │
    │       ├─ Authority given but connection broken
    │       ├─ Little faith ≠ mustard seed faith
    │       └─► Power flows through genuine, focused trust
    │
    ├─ PATH CONFIRMED (vv. 22-23)
    │   └─► How glory COMES
    │       │
    │       ├─ Delivered → killed → raised
    │       ├─ No glory without suffering
    │       └─► Third day = hope beyond death
    │
    └─► FREEDOM DEMONSTRATED (vv. 24-27)
        └─► How to LIVE as sons
            │
            ├─ Sons are free (identity)
            ├─ Freedom serves mission (wisdom)
            └─► God provides for His children (trust)

THE SINGLE THREAD:
    │
    └─► SONSHIP
        │
        ├─ Jesus = THE Son (Transfiguration)
        │   └─► "This is MY SON"
        │
        ├─ Disciples = need Son's faith (Exorcism)
        │   └─► Without connection, powerless
        │
        ├─ Son's path = suffering (Death prediction)
        │   └─► Sons follow same pattern
        │
        └─► Sons = free in Father's house (Temple tax)
            └─► But free to serve, not demand

IDENTITY QUESTION:
    │
    └─► Who is Jesus?
        │
        ├─ TRANSFIGURATION answers: Divine Son of God
        │   └─► Law and Prophets bow to Him
        │       Father validates Him
        │       Only His voice matters now
        │
        └─► TEMPLE TAX confirms: Son of temple's Owner
            └─► Exempt from obligations
                Greater than temple
                Lord of all

POWER QUESTION:
    │
    └─► Why did disciples fail?
        │
        ├─ Not: technique failure
        ├─ Not: wrong words
        └─► IS: disconnected faith
            │
            └─► Faith isn't quantity
                Faith is quality of connection
                │
                └─► Tiny but connected = moves mountains
                    Large but wavering = fails
                    │
                    └─► Stay connected to source

PATH QUESTION:
    │
    └─► How does glory come?
        │
        ├─ Not: triumph then suffering (Peter's preference)
        └─► IS: suffering then triumph (God's pattern)
            │
            └─► Transfiguration: glimpse of glory
                But immediately: death predicted
                │
                └─► Can't skip cross to get crown
                    Must go through death to resurrection

FREEDOM QUESTION:
    │
    └─► What does freedom mean?
        │
        ├─ Sons are FREE
        │   └─► Not obligated to temple
        │       Citizens of higher kingdom
        │
        └─► BUT: freedom = ability to serve
            │
            └─► Don't stumble others
                Don't demand rights
                Use freedom for mission
                │
                └─► Jesus: exempt but pays
                    Because mission > rights

MY PATTERN:
    │
    └─► Experience God's presence
        │
        └─► Immediately try to:
            │
            ├─ Capture it
            ├─ Systematize it
            ├─ Make it repeatable
            └─► Stay there forever
                │
                └─► Problem:
                    │
                    └─► Mountains are FOR descending
                        Glory is FOR serving
                        Experiences are FOR equipping
                        │
                        └─► Can't live on mountaintop
                            Must return to valley
                            Where demons still need casting out
                            Where people still need serving

THE DISTINCTION:
    │
    ├─ LITTLE FAITH (ὀλιγοπιστία):
    │   └─► Faith present but...
    │       │
    │       ├─ Wavering
    │       ├─ Divided attention
    │       ├─ Doubt mixed in
    │       └─► Weak connection
    │
    └─► MUSTARD SEED FAITH:
        └─► Tiny but...
            │
            ├─ Genuine
            ├─ Focused
            ├─ Trusting completely
            └─► Strong connection

FREEDOM IN CHRIST:
    │
    └─► I AM free (identity in Christ)
        │
        └─► But freedom isn't:
            │
            ├─ Demanding all my rights
            ├─ Asserting my liberties
            └─► Making others accommodate me
                │
                └─► Freedom IS:
                    │
                    ├─ Ability to NOT demand
                    ├─ Choosing to defer
                    └─► Serving mission over self

MY PATTERN:
    │
    └─► Hear bad news → focus on loss
        │
        └─► Miss the "but God" that follows
            │
            ├─ "You'll face suffering" → panic
            │   └─► Miss: "but I've overcome the world"
            │
            ├─ "This will be hard" → despair
            │   └─► Miss: "but my grace is sufficient"
            │
            └─► "You'll die" → grief
                └─► Miss: "but you'll rise"