New Testament
Matthew 17:9
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
As they came down from the mountain, Jesus instructed them, saying, "Don't tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."
Compare translations
And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
What Matthew 17:9 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples after a significant event, likely the Transfiguration, where He revealed His divine glory. He instructs them not to share what they have seen until after His resurrection. This command emphasizes the importance of timing in revealing spiritual truths. The disciples are to keep this vision private until the full context of Jesus' mission is completed through His death and resurrection. This moment highlights the mystery of Jesus' identity and the necessity of His resurrection for understanding His role as the Messiah. By waiting to share this vision, the disciples are being prepared for a deeper understanding of Jesus' purpose and the significance of His resurrection, which will confirm His authority and divine nature. It also reflects the theme of secrecy and revelation in Jesus' ministry, where certain truths are revealed at the right time to fulfill God's plan.
How to apply Matthew 17:9 to your life
This verse encourages us to be patient and discerning about sharing our spiritual experiences. Sometimes, insights and revelations need time to mature before they can be shared meaningfully. Trust in God's timing for when to speak about your faith journey.
Curated for this public verse page. Matthew Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Jesus's story: The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Jesus
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002724966). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Bethlehem, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethlehem
David's hometown, and the town where Jesus was born.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Matthew 17:9
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Matthew 17:9
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Matthew
- Author
- Matthew the apostle
- Written
- Around AD 60-70
- Genre
- Gospel
- Original Audience
- Jewish Christians
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Matthew 17:9 mean?
Matthew 17:9 captures Jesus instructing His disciples not to share the vision of His Transfiguration until after His resurrection. This emphasizes the importance of timing in revealing spiritual truths and prepares the disciples for a deeper understanding of His mission.
What is the significance of the vision in Matthew 17:9?
The vision in Matthew 17:9 refers to the Transfiguration, where Jesus reveals His divine glory. Jesus' command to keep it secret until after His resurrection highlights the mystery of His identity and the necessity of His resurrection for understanding His role as the Messiah.
What themes are present in Matthew 17:9?
Matthew 17:9 includes themes of secrecy, revelation, timing, discipleship, resurrection, and divine identity. These themes highlight the careful unfolding of Jesus' mission and the preparation of His disciples for deeper truths.
How can I apply Matthew 17:9 to my life?
Matthew 17:9 encourages patience and discernment in sharing spiritual experiences. It reminds us that some insights may need time to mature before they can be shared meaningfully, emphasizing trust in God's timing.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.