📖 Passage

Matthew 17:14–27
Read Matthew 17:14–27 (NKJV)

🧠 Context & Background

After descending the mountain, Jesus and the three disciples encounter a scene of failure — the other disciples are unable to heal a demon-possessed boy. This underscores the contrast between the mountaintop glory and the valley of spiritual need. Jesus emphasizes faith as the key to spiritual authority, not mere technique. He again foretells His death and resurrection, reminding the disciples that His mission is rooted in sacrifice. The chapter closes with a temple tax incident, where Jesus affirms His identity as God's Son yet willingly pays to avoid unnecessary offense, teaching humility and wisdom in dealing with human authorities.

🌿 Key Themes

• Faith's Essential Role – True power in ministry flows from trust in God.
• Christ's Mission Reiterated – His suffering is central to the plan of redemption.
• King's Freedom and Humility – As God's Son, Jesus is exempt from the temple tax but submits for others' sake.
• Contrast Between Glory and Struggle – Spiritual highs are followed by real-world challenges.

📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary

Matthew 17:14–18 – Healing the Demon-Possessed Boy

"Bring him here to me."

• Desperate Father – His plea shows both love and a measure of faith.
• Unbelieving Generation – Jesus laments the lack of trust that hinders God's work.
• Immediate Deliverance – Jesus rebukes the demon, demonstrating His supreme authority.

Matthew 17:19–21 – The Power of Faith

"If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed…"

• Private Inquiry – The disciples' question reveals humility and a desire to grow.
• Mustard Seed Faith – Even small, genuine faith can accomplish great things when rooted in God's power.
• Prayer and Fasting – Dependence on God is cultivated through spiritual disciplines. (Some manuscripts include this phrase in v. 21.)

Matthew 17:22–23 – Jesus Again Predicts His Death

"The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men…"

• Betrayal Foretold – Jesus knows the cross is imminent and voluntary.
• Sorrow of the Disciples – They grieve but still do not fully understand the resurrection promise.

Matthew 17:24–27 – The Temple Tax and the Coin in the Fish's Mouth

"Then the sons are free."

• Two-Drachma Tax – Collected for temple upkeep, based on Exodus 30:13–16.
• Sons are Free – As God's Son, Jesus is exempt; by extension, His disciples share in that freedom.
• Avoiding Offense – Jesus chooses to pay, modeling humility without compromising truth.
• Miraculous Provision – The coin from the fish underscores His sovereignty over creation.

🔍 Trusted Insight

Spurgeon commented on the mustard seed promise: "It is not the greatness of your faith, but the greatness of the God you believe in, that moves the mountain." This keeps the focus on God's power rather than human ability.

🧩 Review Questions

1. Why were the disciples unable to heal the demon-possessed boy?
2. What does "faith like a mustard seed" teach about spiritual authority?
3. How does Jesus' prediction of His death shape the disciples' understanding of His mission?
4. Why did Jesus say "the sons are free" regarding the temple tax?
5. What principle does Jesus model in choosing to pay the tax anyway?

🔍 Definitions

• Mustard Seed – A metaphor for something very small but capable of great growth.
• Temple Tax – An annual offering for the service of the temple.
• Offense – A stumbling block or cause for misunderstanding.
• Drachma – A silver coin used in the Greco-Roman world.

🙋 Application Questions

1. What "mountains" in your life require trusting God's power rather than your own strength?

2. How can we avoid unnecessary offense while still standing for truth?

3. In what ways do we need to grow in prayer and dependence on God's Spirit?

4. How does remembering Jesus' humility help us in dealing with authority and conflict?

🔤 Greek Keywords

• πίστις (pistis) – "Faith, trust, reliance."
• σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō) – "To cause to stumble, to offend."
• δραχμή (drachmē) – Ancient silver coin, worth a day's wages in some contexts.
• ἐκβάλλω (ekballō) – "To drive out, expel," used for casting out demons.

📚 Cross References

• Zechariah 4:6 – "'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord."

• Mark 9:14–29 – Parallel account of the healing and teaching on faith.

• Luke 9:37–45 – Synoptic parallel with emphasis on Jesus' rebuke.

• Exodus 30:13–16 – Institution of the temple tax.

• 1 Peter 2:16–17 – Live as free people, yet honor everyone.

📦 Next Study

Next Study → Matthew 18:1–14