Matthew, 17
The Transfiguration of Christ: He cures the lunatic child: foretells his passion; and pays the didrachma.
[1] And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: •
[2] And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. •
[3] And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. •
[4] And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
[5] And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. •
[6] And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. •
[7] And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. •
[8] And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus.
[9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. •
[10] And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say that Elias must come first? •
[11] But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things. •
[12] But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, But have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them. •
[13] Then the disciples understood, that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist.
[14] And when he was come to the multitude, there came to him a man falling down on his knees before him saying: Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic, and suffereth much: for he falleth often into the fire, and often into the water. •
[15] And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. •
[16] Then Jesus answered and said: O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me.
[17] And Jesus rebuked him, and the devil went out of him, and the child was cured from that hour. •
[18] Then came the disciples to Jesus secretly, and said: Why could not we cast him out? •
[19] Jesus said to them: Because of your unbelief. For, amen I say to you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed 1, you shall say to this mountain: Remove from hence hither, and it shall remove: and nothing shall be impossible to you. •
As a grain of mustard seed: That is, a perfect faith; which in its properties, and its fruits, resembles the grain of mustard seed, in the parable, Mt. 13, 31.
[20] But this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting. •
[21] And when they abode together in Galilee, Jesus said to them: The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men: •
[22] And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall rise again. And they were troubled exceedingly. •
[23] And when they were come to Capharnaum, they that received the didrachmas 1, came to Peter, and said to him: Doth not your master pay the didrachma? •
The didrachmas: A didrachma was half a sicle, or half a stater; that is, about 15d. English: which was a tax laid upon every head for the service of the temple.
[24] He said: Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying: What is thy opinion, Simon? The kings of the earth, of whom do they receive tribute or custom, of their own children, or of strangers?
[25] And he said: Of strangers. Jesus said to him: Then the children are free. •
[26] But that we may not scandalize them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook: and that fish which shall first come up, take: and when thou hast opened it's mouth, thou shalt find a stater: take that, and give it to them for me and thee. •