sf181 - The Kingdom Revealed (Matthew 17 1-13)

Matthew 17:1-13

In the text before us Jesus fulfills the promise He made in 16:28.

Our text falls into three sections…

Ø The heavenly vision (17:1-2)

Ø The heavenly visitors (17:3-4)

Ø The heavenly voice (17:5-13)

1A. The Heavenly Vision (17:1-2)

1B. The separation to a mountain (17:1)

The timing – six days after Jesus’ revelation of the cross

The location – an unnamed mountain apparently somewhere near and to the south of Caesarea Philippi, on the route to Capernaum and Jerusalem.

The participants – Peter, James, and John, why?

Ø They would be reliable witnesses of His manifested glory (Deuteronomy 19:15)

Ø Because of their intimacy with Jesus

Ø They were the recognized leaders among the disciples.

Ø They were very reliable and would not have been prone to speak pre-maturely.

2B. The transfiguration of the Messiah (17:2)

Was transfigured (metamorphoo); which has the basic meaning of changing into another it is the term from which we get metamorphosis.

In this context it is a reference to the fact that Jesus’ glory was made visible to the disciples.

“Here is the greatest confirmation of His deity yet in the life of Jesus. Here, more than on any other occasion, Jesus revealed Himself as He truly is, the Son of God.” (MacArthur)

2A. The Heavenly Visitors (17:3-4)

1B. The affirmation of the saints (17:3)

The testimony of those two Old Testament saints was a second confirmation of Jesus’ deity.

Moses represents the law and the old covenant.

John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Elijah represents the prophets

Ø Elijah was the great defender of the law.

Ø Elijah was zeal personified, a godly man of unmatched courage, boldness, and fearlessness.

Ø He had a heart for God, he walked with God, and, more than any other Old Testament saint, he was the instrument of God’s miracle-working power.

Ø He was the preeminent prophet of God, and to the Jews the most romantic Old Testament personality.

Jesus was the consummation of the entire Old Testament.

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

2B. The evaluation of men (17:4)

Peter’s motive

Ø He wanted to worship.

Ø Perhaps he was thinking that the cross could be avoided if they worshipped Christ now.

Peter’s mistake

Ø He placed Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah.

3A. The Heavenly Voice (17:5-13)

1B. The commendation of the Father (17:5)

God’s presence

Ø In the Old Testament God most often revealed His presence in a cloud (Exodus 13:21-22; 14:19-20; 19:16-20; 40:34-35; 1 Kings 8:10)

Ø Immediately the disciples would recognize that this was a sign of God’s presence.

God’s proclamation

Ø God affirms Christ’s deity, This is my beloved Son (Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1 John 5:17-20; 8:19, 42; 10:30, 36-38)

Ø God declares His approval, in whom I am well pleased

Ø God confirms Christ’s authority, Hear Him

Deuteronomy 18:15 “The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear”

2B. The consternation of the disciples (17:6)

Afraid (phobeo); to put to flight, to terrify

Ø Sinful man in the presence of Holy God will always want to hide. (Isaiah 6:5; Daniel 8:15-17)

3B. The consolation of Christ (17:7-13)

Christ comforts the disciples (17:7-8)

Do not be afraid, phobeo same as in verse 6

Christ’s command - Tell... no one (17:7-9)

The disciples’ question (17:10-13)

Ø They were confused about the coming of Elijah prior to the Messiah

Ø Jesus identifies John the Baptist as the Elijah.

Matthew 17:1-13

1A. The Heavenly ________________________ (17:1-2)

1B. The separation to a mountain (17:1)

The timing – six days after Jesus’ revelation of the cross

The _____________________ – an unnamed mountain.

The participants – Peter, James, and John, why?

Ø They would be reliable witnesses of His manifested glory (Deuteronomy 19:15)

Ø Because of their intimacy with Jesus

Ø They were the recognized leaders among the disciples.

Ø They were very reliable and would not have been prone to speak pre-maturely.

2B. The transfiguration of the ______________ (17:2)

Was transfigured (metamorphoo); which has the basic meaning of changing into another it is the term from which we get metamorphosis.

2A. The Heavenly ________________________ (17:3-4)

1B. The affirmation of the _________________ (17:3)

Moses represents the law and the old covenant. (John 1:17)

Elijah represents the prophets

Jesus was the consummation of the entire Old Testament. (Matthew 5:17)

2B. The evaluation of _____________________ (17:4)

Peter’s _____________________________