Matthew 17:14-27 PDF

For discussion: May 30

This passages begins with Jesus and the disciples return from the transfiguration. We see that a child was brought to the other nine for healing/exorcism, but they had been unsuccessful.

In the next passage, Jesus teaches and demonstrates both his exemption from the temple tax, and how he and his disciples should deal with it.

Matthew 17:14-21

• What do you think Jesus implied when he said that faith as small as a mustard seed would be enough? What does this say about the faith of the 9? Recall that in chapter 10, Jesus sent the 12 out to do healing, how does this fit with that?

• What is the faith lesson that Jesus was teaching? How would this be important to the disciples after Jesus’ resurrection?

• How should we be applying this teaching in our own lives?

Matthew 17:22,23

• Here Matthew repeats Jesus’ teaching of his coming death and resurrection. Presumably Matthew repeats this because Jesus repeated it to the disciples. Why did he do so?

Matthew 17:24-27

The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes that every Jew over 19 years old was required to pay a template tax of 2 drachmas per year to support the temple. Presumably neither Peter nor Jesus had paid their tax.

• What do you notice from the timing of the events?

• What do you think of Jesus’ explanation that they should not “offend” the tax collectors? What do we learn of how Jesus conducted himself on this earth?

• Can you think of ways that we need to avoid being an offense to those around us?