FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
BRIEF OUTLINE OF Mat_17:1-27
A. The transfiguration, Mat_17:1-13 (cf. Mat_17:1-11; Mar_9:2-13; Luk_9:28-36; 2Pe_1:16-18)
B. Healing of the demonized boy, Mat_17:14-23 (cf. Mar_9:14-29; Luk_9:37-42)
C. The Temple tax for Peter and Jesus, Mat_17:24-27 (this was unique to Matthew)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Why are the same events recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels?
2. Why do the details sometimes differ between these accounts in the other Gospels?
3. Why did Jesus choose an inner circle of disciples?
4. Why did Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration?
5. What is the significance of God's statement in combining Psalms 2 and Isaiah 42?
6. How is Matthew 17 related to Matthew 16 in the prediction of Jesus' suffering and death?
7. Why is the phrase "Son of Man" so applicable to Jesus?
8. Was John the Baptist Elijah reborn?
9. How is faith related to exorcism and healing?
10. What are demons? Are they still in our world?
11. Does the term "mountain" in Mat_17:20 refer to physical manipulation of objects or to dealing with life's problems?
12. If Jesus predicted His own betrayal, death and resurrection so often, why were these events so surprising to the disciples?