Matt. 18 Matt. 17:1–9 The transfiguration of Christ. Matt. 17:10–13 He instructs his disciples concerning the coming of Elias, Matt. 17:14–21 healeth the lunatic, Matt. 17:22–23 foretells his own passion, Matt. 17:24–27 and payeth tribute.

Both Mark and Luke have recorded this history. Mark saith, Mark 9:3, his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Mark adds, Mark 9:6, For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. Luke addeth, Luke 9:31–33, who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Mark and Luke relate the same without any considerable variation, only Luke saith, they feared as they entered into the cloud. It seemeth that the cloud did encompass them, so as they seemed all as if they had been within the cloud. This still increased their fear.

Mark saith no more than, And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. Such is the majesty and glory of God, that a cloud will not so veil it as that a man is able to behold any appearance of it without some consternation; something more…

Mark saith the same, Mark 9:9. Luke saith, Luke 9:36, They kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. The other two evangelists record the precept; Luke and Mark, their obedience to it.

Before these words, Mark saith, Mark 9:10, And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. Then he addeth, And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come.

Mark saith, Mark 9:12, He answered and told them, Elias verily comes first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

The same history is told us both by Mark and Luke, but with considerable difference; we have it, Mark 9:17–18, thus, And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and…

Mark relates this part of the history much more largely, Mark 9:19–27, he answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring him unto me.

Mark repeats only what we have here Matt. 17:19, Matt. 17:21. The reason assigned here by our Saviour why his disciples could not cast out this devil, was their unbelief; not their total want, but the weakness of their faith.

Mark saith, Mark 9:30–32. And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the…

The Jews were by God’s law, Ex. 30:13, obliged to pay a half shekel, which was for the service of the sanctuary, Ex. 30:16, this was paid every year. The half shekel amounted in our money to fifteen pence, or thereabouts.