²Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain by themselves. While they watched, Jesus’ appearance was changed. ³His clothes became shining white, whiter than any person could make them. ⁴Then Elijah and Moses ⁿ appeared to them, talking with Jesus.

⁵Peter said to Jesus, “Teacher, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶Peter did not know what to say, because he and the others were so frightened.

⁷Then a cloud came and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

⁸Suddenly Peter, James, and John looked around, but they saw only Jesus there alone with them.

⁹As 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.

¹⁰So the followers obeyed Jesus, but they discussed what he meant about rising from the dead.

¹¹Then they asked Jesus, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

¹²Jesus answered, “They are right to say that Elijah must come first and make everything the way it should be. But why does the Scripture say that the Son of Man will suffer much and that people will treat him as if he were nothing? ¹³I tell you that Elijah has already come. And people did to him whatever they wanted to do, just as the Scriptures said it would happen.”

Jesus Heals a Sick Boy

¹⁴When Jesus, Peter, James, and John came back to the other followers, they saw a great crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. ¹⁵But as soon as the crowd saw Jesus, the people were surprised and ran to welcome him.

¹⁶Jesus asked, “What are you arguing about?”

¹⁷A man answered, “Teacher, I brought my son to you. He has an evil spirit in him that stops him from talking. ¹⁸When the spirit attacks him, it throws him on the ground. Then my son foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes very stiff. I asked your followers to force the evil spirit out, but they couldn’t.”

¹⁹Jesus answered, “You people have no faith. How long must I stay with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

²⁰So the followers brought him to Jesus. As soon as the evil spirit saw Jesus, it made the boy lose control of himself, and he fell down and rolled on the ground, foaming at the mouth.

²¹Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been happening?”

The father answered, “Since he was very young. ²²The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything for him, please have pity on us and help us.”

²³Jesus said to the father, “You said, ‘If you can!’ All things are possible for the one who believes.”

²⁴Immediately the father cried out, “I do believe! Help me to believe more!”

²⁵When Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly gathering, he ordered the evil spirit, saying, “You spirit that makes people unable to hear or speak, I command you to come out of this boy and never enter him again!”

²⁶The evil spirit screamed and caused the boy to fall on the ground again. Then the spirit came out. The boy looked as if he were dead, and many people said, “He is dead!” ²⁷But Jesus took hold of the boy’s hand and helped him to stand up.

²⁸When Jesus went into the house, his followers began asking him privately, “Why couldn’t we force that evil spirit out?”

²⁹Jesus answered, “That kind of spirit can only be forced out by prayer.” ⁿ

Read in Logos

Mark 9:23: And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Footnotes

nElijah and Moses Two of the most important Jewish leaders in the past. God had given Moses the Law, and Elijah was an important prophet.
nprayer Some Greek copies continue, “and fasting.”