CHAPTER XXXII.
TRANSFIGURATION—CURES A DEMONIAC.
AND after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves, to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light, and glistering, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
And, behold, there appeared unto them two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and they were talking with Jesus, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, 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. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. And when the disciples
heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And when the voice was past, Jesus came and touched them and said,
Arise, and be not afraid.
And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
And it came to pass, that on the next day, as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 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; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. When they were come down from the hill, much people met him. And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes,
What question ye with them?
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Master, I have brought unto thee my son: which hath a dumb spirit; I beseech thee, look upon my son: for he is mine only child. Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I brought him to thy disciples, that they should cast him out; and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said,
O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father,
[152]How long is it ago since this came unto him?
And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him,
If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him,
Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And the child was cured from that very hour. And (Jesus) delivered him again to his father. And when he was come into the house, then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them,
Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have
[153]faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.