Matthew 17:9-27

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone about what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. Then his followers asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered, “They are right to say that Elijah is coming and that he will make everything the way it should be. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. They did to him whatever they wanted to do. It will be the same with the Son of Man; those same people will make the Son of Man suffer.” Then the followers understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist. When Jesus and his followers came back to the crowd, a man came to Jesus and bowed before him. The man said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has epilepsy and is suffering very much, because he often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your followers, but they could not cure him.” Jesus answered, “You people have no faith, and your lives are all wrong. How long must I put up with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy here.” Jesus commanded the demon inside the boy. Then the demon came out, and the boy was healed from that time on. The followers came to Jesus when he was alone and asked, “Why couldn’t we force the demon out?” Jesus answered, “Because your faith is too small. I tell you the truth, if your faith is as big as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. All things will be possible for you. [That kind of spirit comes out only if you use prayer and fasting.]” While Jesus’ followers were gathering in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man will be handed over to people, and they will kill him. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the followers were filled with sadness. When Jesus and his followers came to Capernaum, the men who collected the Temple tax came to Peter. They asked, “Does your teacher pay the Temple tax?” Peter answered, “Yes, Jesus pays the tax.” Peter went into the house, but before he could speak, Jesus said to him, “What do you think? The kings of the earth collect different kinds of taxes. But who pays the taxes—the king’s children or others?” Peter answered, “Other people pay the taxes.” Jesus said to Peter, “Then the children of the king don’t have to pay taxes. But we don’t want to upset these tax collectors. So go to the lake and fish. After you catch the first fish, open its mouth and you will find a coin. Take that coin and give it to the tax collectors for you and me.”

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