The man that had brought his son to be healed
came out of the crowd and fell at Jesus' feet and
told Him about his son.
Jesus' answer was peculiar, He said, "O faithless
and perverse generation, how long shall I be
with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him
hither to me" (vs 17).
His indignation seemed to reach out to include all,
the multitudes, the scribes, the disciples. He seemed
to be saying that if God's people really knew their
privileges, they would not fail like this.
Jesus appeared in the midst of the confusion
with the other three disciples.
Many started running towards Jesus when they
saw him, all trying to tell Him what had happened.
Jesus kept walking until He came to where the
scribes were questioning the other disciples. He
asked them what were they wanting to know, but
the scribes seemed too embarrassed to say.
with the other three disciples.
Many started running towards Jesus when they
saw him, all trying to tell Him what had happened.
Jesus kept walking until He came to where the
scribes were questioning the other disciples. He
asked them what were they wanting to know, but
the scribes seemed too embarrassed to say.
Jesus had given the disciples the power to heal
the sick and cast out demons and apparently they
had been successful. So they figured they could
also heal this boy.
To their surprise they were not able to cast the
epileptic demon out. The evil spirit threw the
boy to the ground and refused to come out,
The scribes were excited over the disappointed
disciples and more than likely took advantage of
their failure to disgrace them in the eyes of the
crowd.
the sick and cast out demons and apparently they
had been successful. So they figured they could
also heal this boy.
To their surprise they were not able to cast the
epileptic demon out. The evil spirit threw the
boy to the ground and refused to come out,
The scribes were excited over the disappointed
disciples and more than likely took advantage of
their failure to disgrace them in the eyes of the
crowd.
It appears that the scribes followed Him along
with the crowd. When they got to Caesarea
Philippi, they found that Jesus and three of His
disciples had gone up on the mountain.
Since Jesus wasn't there, the scribes began to
question the remaining disciples. They weren't
able to answer them the way Jesus would.
About this time a man comes with his son who
was in a desperate condition. He was a lunatic,
deaf and dumb, and had violent epilepic spells.
with the crowd. When they got to Caesarea
Philippi, they found that Jesus and three of His
disciples had gone up on the mountain.
Since Jesus wasn't there, the scribes began to
question the remaining disciples. They weren't
able to answer them the way Jesus would.
About this time a man comes with his son who
was in a desperate condition. He was a lunatic,
deaf and dumb, and had violent epilepic spells.
"And when they were
come to the multitude,
there came to him a
there came to him a
certain man, kneeling
down
to him, and saying,
to him, and saying,
Lord, have mercy on
my
son; for he is lunatic,
son; for he is lunatic,
and sore vexed.
And I brought him to thy disciples, and they
could not cure him.
Then Jesus answered and ssid, O faithless and
perverse generation, how long shall I be with
you? how long shall I suffer you?
bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the
devil; and he departed out of him: and the child
was cured from that very hour"
Matthew 17:14-18
could not cure him.
Then Jesus answered and ssid, O faithless and
perverse generation, how long shall I be with
you? how long shall I suffer you?
bring him hither to me. And Jesus rebuked the
devil; and he departed out of him: and the child
was cured from that very hour"
Matthew 17:14-18
The early church fathers taught:
"As two advents of the Lord are indicated in the
Scriptures, also two forerunners are indicated;
the first was John the son of Zacharias. He first
fulfilled the course of the forerunner. But since
the Saviour is to be manifested again at the end
of the world, it is a matter of course that His
forrunners must appear first, as he says in
Malachi. . . . "
"As two advents of the Lord are indicated in the
Scriptures, also two forerunners are indicated;
the first was John the son of Zacharias. He first
fulfilled the course of the forerunner. But since
the Saviour is to be manifested again at the end
of the world, it is a matter of course that His
forrunners must appear first, as he says in
Malachi. . . . "
So John the Baptist wasn't Elijah, but he came
in the "spirit of Elijah". This also explains Jesus
in Matthew 17:10-13.
Jesus had said that Elijah had come already in
John the Baptist and that he had been killed.
John's coming in the spirit of Elijah was a first
fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy.
Prophecy often has a double fulfillment, and in
this case Elijah is yet to come and restore all
things. Since this has no way been fulfilled yet,
it must take place as Malachi says, just "before
the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
in the "spirit of Elijah". This also explains Jesus
in Matthew 17:10-13.
Jesus had said that Elijah had come already in
John the Baptist and that he had been killed.
John's coming in the spirit of Elijah was a first
fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy.
Prophecy often has a double fulfillment, and in
this case Elijah is yet to come and restore all
things. Since this has no way been fulfilled yet,
it must take place as Malachi says, just "before
the great and dreadful day of the Lord."
John the Baptist wasn't Elijah really but he came
in the "spirit and power of Elias." That he wasn't
Elijah in person is certain from John 1:21.
"And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias?
And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet?
And he answered, No"
The Jews had asked John if he were Elijah, and
if anyone knew for certain the answer to such a
question it would be John the Baptist. But he denied
that it was true.
in the "spirit and power of Elias." That he wasn't
Elijah in person is certain from John 1:21.
"And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias?
And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet?
And he answered, No"
The Jews had asked John if he were Elijah, and
if anyone knew for certain the answer to such a
question it would be John the Baptist. But he denied
that it was true.
Jesus had answered their question about Elijah
by saying that he had come in the person of John
the Baptist. It had been told by the angel Gabriel
when he had appeared to Zacharias.
"And he shall go before him in the spirit and
power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers
to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the just; to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord" Luke 1:17
by saying that he had come in the person of John
the Baptist. It had been told by the angel Gabriel
when he had appeared to Zacharias.
"And he shall go before him in the spirit and
power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers
to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom
of the just; to make ready a people prepared for
the Lord" Luke 1:17
As they left and went down the mountain, they
asked Jesus about Elijah.
From Malachi 4:5-6 they expected Elijah to re-
appear on earth before the Messiah came, and
work a mighty change preparing Israel for the
Lord:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the coming of the great and dreadful
day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart
of the fathers to the children, and the heart
of the children to their fathers, lest I come and
smite the earth with a curse"
asked Jesus about Elijah.
From Malachi 4:5-6 they expected Elijah to re-
appear on earth before the Messiah came, and
work a mighty change preparing Israel for the
Lord:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
before the coming of the great and dreadful
day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart
of the fathers to the children, and the heart
of the children to their fathers, lest I come and
smite the earth with a curse"
The vision had meaning for the disciple too. They
were told by Jesus not to tell anyone of what they
saw (Matthew 17:9) They kept His command but
they wondered in silence as to what this resurrect-
ion from the dead meant.
There was one problem concerning the coming of
Elijah. "And his disciples asked him, saying, Why
then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias
truly shall first come, and restore all things. But
I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and
they knew him not, but have done unto him
whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the
Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples
understood that he spake unto them of John the
Baptist" Matthew 17:10-13
were told by Jesus not to tell anyone of what they
saw (Matthew 17:9) They kept His command but
they wondered in silence as to what this resurrect-
ion from the dead meant.
There was one problem concerning the coming of
Elijah. "And his disciples asked him, saying, Why
then say the scribes that Elias must first come?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias
truly shall first come, and restore all things. But
I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and
they knew him not, but have done unto him
whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the
Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples
understood that he spake unto them of John the
Baptist" Matthew 17:10-13
The cloud of glory with the voice, caused the
disciples to fall upon the ground in fear. They
didn't look up until "Jesus came and touched
them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid"
Matthew 17:7
Only then did they look up. When they did,
"they saw no man; save Jesus only." The
bright cloud had vanished and Elijah and Moses
were gone. They were alone again with Jesus.
disciples to fall upon the ground in fear. They
didn't look up until "Jesus came and touched
them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid"
Matthew 17:7
Only then did they look up. When they did,
"they saw no man; save Jesus only." The
bright cloud had vanished and Elijah and Moses
were gone. They were alone again with Jesus.
Even today, there are those who do not realize
the (greater) glory of the new covenant and still
seek after the (lesser) glory of the old covenant
which was fulfilled in Jesus.
"But if the ministration of death, written and
engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the
children of Israel could not steadfastly behold
the face of Moses for the glory of his counten-
ance; which glory was to be done away. . . . .
For even that which was made glorious had no
glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that
excelleth. For if that which is done away was
glorious, much more that which remaineth is
glorious" 2 Corinthians 3:7, 10-11
the (greater) glory of the new covenant and still
seek after the (lesser) glory of the old covenant
which was fulfilled in Jesus.
"But if the ministration of death, written and
engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the
children of Israel could not steadfastly behold
the face of Moses for the glory of his counten-
ance; which glory was to be done away. . . . .
For even that which was made glorious had no
glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that
excelleth. For if that which is done away was
glorious, much more that which remaineth is
glorious" 2 Corinthians 3:7, 10-11
As the disciples watched, the vision began to fade.
The two visiters were ready to leave.
"And it came to pass, as they departed from him,
Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to
be here; and let us make three tabernacles; one
for thee, and one for Moses and one for Elias: not
knowing what he said" Luke 9:33
Nothing was said to Peter regarding what he had
asked Jesus. But a cloud began to descend upon
them. It was the Shekinah glory. Then a voice
spoke out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son:
hear him" Luke 9:35
They weren't to seek the glory of the Old Testament
but to look to the greater glory which came in Jesus.
The two visiters were ready to leave.
"And it came to pass, as they departed from him,
Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to
be here; and let us make three tabernacles; one
for thee, and one for Moses and one for Elias: not
knowing what he said" Luke 9:33
Nothing was said to Peter regarding what he had
asked Jesus. But a cloud began to descend upon
them. It was the Shekinah glory. Then a voice
spoke out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son:
hear him" Luke 9:35
They weren't to seek the glory of the Old Testament
but to look to the greater glory which came in Jesus.
They listened to the conversation, and realized
that the two visitors were Moses and Elijah.
They were talking to Jesus about His coming
death in Jerusalem. Jesus had a few day earlier
given the disciples a hint of what was going to
happen.
"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing
here, which shall not taste of death, till they see
the Son of man coming in his kingdom"
Matthew 16:28
that the two visitors were Moses and Elijah.
They were talking to Jesus about His coming
death in Jerusalem. Jesus had a few day earlier
given the disciples a hint of what was going to
happen.
"Verily I say unto you, There be some standing
here, which shall not taste of death, till they see
the Son of man coming in his kingdom"
Matthew 16:28
"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James,
and John his brother, and bringeth them up
into an high mountain apart, And was trans-
figured before them:. . . . ." Matthew 17:1
Jesus had taken three of His disciples up high
onto a mountain until they reached the top.
There they spen
t time with Him for a while.
Jesus was in prayer
and so were the disciples.
They saw that Jesus' face
was shining as with
the light of the sun, and
His garments were
white and glistening.
And He was talking
with two others.
and John his brother, and bringeth them up
into an high mountain apart, And was trans-
figured before them:. . . . ." Matthew 17:1
Jesus had taken three of His disciples up high
onto a mountain until they reached the top.
There they spen
t time with Him for a while.Jesus was in prayer
and so were the disciples.
They saw that Jesus' face
was shining as with
the light of the sun, and
His garments were
white and glistening.
And He was talking
with two others.
The sick is allowed to be prayed for more than
once. Some don't grasp the full extent of the
promise at once. But then they should be urged
to take God's promise and claim what he has
already done.
There should be a commitment of faith and not
just start over. They got something the first
time but may need the second touch, and then
hold on to the promise.
once. Some don't grasp the full extent of the
promise at once. But then they should be urged
to take God's promise and claim what he has
already done.
There should be a commitment of faith and not
just start over. They got something the first
time but may need the second touch, and then
hold on to the promise.
The promise for believers to lay hands on the
sick and they will recover doesn't mean that
they will always be instantaneous; some will be
a gradual improvement over a period of time.
After Jesus ministered to the blind man the
second time, He made him look up. This was so
he wouldn't see those around him.
Whenever we look at others, our attention is
directed to them and our vision is blurred. We
need to see them as God sees them, not as they
are but as they will be by grace.
sick and they will recover doesn't mean that
they will always be instantaneous; some will be
a gradual improvement over a period of time.
After Jesus ministered to the blind man the
second time, He made him look up. This was so
he wouldn't see those around him.
Whenever we look at others, our attention is
directed to them and our vision is blurred. We
need to see them as God sees them, not as they
are but as they will be by grace.
Some have thought that Jesus' healings always
were instant but that is not true.
The nobleman's son "began to amend" from the
hour that Jesus spoke the word (John 4:52). Of
course there must have been other cases, like the
lepers being healed on their way to the priests.
Jesus' miracles were manifested by the same gifts
of the Holy Spirit which were operating in His
followers (John 14:12). He said that believers
would lay hands on the sick and they would get
well (Mark 16:18).
were instant but that is not true.
The nobleman's son "began to amend" from the
hour that Jesus spoke the word (John 4:52). Of
course there must have been other cases, like the
lepers being healed on their way to the priests.
Jesus' miracles were manifested by the same gifts
of the Holy Spirit which were operating in His
followers (John 14:12). He said that believers
would lay hands on the sick and they would get
well (Mark 16:18).
When Jesus got the blind man out of the city, He
did a peculiar thing. We are told that He spit on
the man's eyes and put His hands upon him.
The gifts of God work in different manners and
ways. After that, Jesus asked him if he saw any
thing. In most of Jesus' healings they took place
instantly. But this one, the man took two stages.
The man had said, "I see men as trees, walking."
So Jesus put His hands on him again and made
him look up; then he was healed completely.
did a peculiar thing. We are told that He spit on
the man's eyes and put His hands upon him.
The gifts of God work in different manners and
ways. After that, Jesus asked him if he saw any
thing. In most of Jesus' healings they took place
instantly. But this one, the man took two stages.
The man had said, "I see men as trees, walking."
So Jesus put His hands on him again and made
him look up; then he was healed completely.
When Jesus and His disciples crossed the Sea
of Galilee and had come to Bethlehem, a blind
man was brought to Him for healing.
But instead of answering them right away, He
took the man by the hand and led him out of
the town.
The reason Jesus wouldn't heal the man there
was because He had condemned the city for
not repenting. (Matthew 11:21-24) Since He
had abandoned it to judgment, He wouldn't
perform any miracles there.
There is a time for salvation for individuals
and cities. Bethsaida had its time, but like
Jerusalem it didn't know its day of visitation.
of Galilee and had come to Bethlehem, a blind
man was brought to Him for healing.
But instead of answering them right away, He
took the man by the hand and led him out of
the town.
The reason Jesus wouldn't heal the man there
was because He had condemned the city for
not repenting. (Matthew 11:21-24) Since He
had abandoned it to judgment, He wouldn't
perform any miracles there.
There is a time for salvation for individuals
and cities. Bethsaida had its time, but like
Jerusalem it didn't know its day of visitation.
Jesus told the disciples that if they had not been
afraid of Pharisees and had remembered His
feeding of the four and five thousand people,
they wouldn't be so confused.
Many people fail to receive from God because
they remember their failures, instead of their
victories. They wonder about someone who
failed to get their prayers answered, rather
than giving thanks to God for the miracles that
they have seen or experienced.
afraid of Pharisees and had remembered His
feeding of the four and five thousand people,
they wouldn't be so confused.
Many people fail to receive from God because
they remember their failures, instead of their
victories. They wonder about someone who
failed to get their prayers answered, rather
than giving thanks to God for the miracles that
they have seen or experienced.
"And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why
reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye
not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart
yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having
ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When
I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how
many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They
say unto Him, Twelve. And when the seven among
four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments
took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said
unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?"
Mark 8:17-21
Jesus was indignant with their ridiculous mis-
interpretation of His warning.
reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye
not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart
yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having
ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When
I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how
many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They
say unto Him, Twelve. And when the seven among
four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments
took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said
unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?"
Mark 8:17-21
Jesus was indignant with their ridiculous mis-
interpretation of His warning.
It looked like the disciples had been so busy
ministering to the crowds, that they had
forgotten to bring enough bread.
While Jesus was in the ship, he was thinking
about the Pharisees and their wanting a sign
from heaven. He decided that He must warn
the disciples of them. So He said, "Take heed,
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and
the leaven of Herod". Mark 8:15
Some of the disciples didn't get the meaning,
and though He was cautioning them not to
buy bread from the Pharisees. They had
only one loaf with them. Surely after Jesus,
having just fed thousands on little, they weren't
afraid of starvation!
ministering to the crowds, that they had
forgotten to bring enough bread.
While Jesus was in the ship, he was thinking
about the Pharisees and their wanting a sign
from heaven. He decided that He must warn
the disciples of them. So He said, "Take heed,
beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and
the leaven of Herod". Mark 8:15
Some of the disciples didn't get the meaning,
and though He was cautioning them not to
buy bread from the Pharisees. They had
only one loaf with them. Surely after Jesus,
having just fed thousands on little, they weren't
afraid of starvation!