9   ¹Then Jesus said, "I tell you the truth. Some of you people standing here will see the kingdom of God come before you die. The kingdom of God will come with power."

Jesus with Moses and Elijah

²Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John and went up on a high mountain. They were all alone there. While these followers watched him, Jesus was changed. ³Jesus' clothes became shining white. The clothes were whiter than any person could make them. ⁴Then two men were there, talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah.* ⁵Peter said to Jesus, "Teacher, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." ⁶Peter did not know what to say, because he and the other two followers were very afraid. ⁷Then a cloud came and covered them. A voice came from the cloud and said, "This (Jesus) is my Son and I love him. Obey him!" ⁸Then Peter, James, and John looked, but they saw only Jesus there alone with them. ⁹Jesus and the followers were walking back down the mountain. Jesus commanded the followers, "Don't tell any person about the things you saw on the mountain. Wait until after the Son of Man* rises from death. Then you can tell people what you saw." ¹⁰So the followers obeyed Jesus and said nothing about what they saw. But they discussed what Jesus meant about rising from death. ¹¹The followers 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. Elijah makes all things the way they should be. But why does the Scripture* say that the Son of Man* will suffer much and that people will think he is worth nothing? ¹³I tell you that Elijah has already come. And people did to him all the [bad] things they wanted to do. The Scriptures said this would happen to him."

Jesus Heals a Sick Boy

¹⁴Then Jesus, Peter, James, and John went to the other followers. They saw many people around them. The teachers of the law were arguing with the followers. ¹⁵When the people saw Jesus, they were very surprised. They ran to him to welcome him. ¹⁶Jesus asked, "What are you arguing with the teachers of the law about?" ¹⁷A man answered, "Teacher, I brought my son to you. My son has a spirit [from the devil] inside him. This spirit stops my son from talking. ¹⁸The spirit attacks my son and throws him on the ground. My son foams from his mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes very stiff. I asked your followers to force the evil spirit out, but they could not." ¹⁹Jesus answered, "You people don't believe! How long must I stay with you? How long must I continue to be patient with you? Bring the boy to me!" ²⁰So the followers brought the boy to Jesus. When the [evil] spirit saw Jesus, the spirit attacked the boy. The boy fell down and rolled on the ground. He was foaming from his mouth. ²¹Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has this been happening to the boy?" 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, 'Help him if you can.' All things are possible for the person that believes." ²⁴The father became very excited. He said, "I do believe. Help me to believe more!" ²⁵Jesus saw that all the people were running there to see what was happening. So Jesus spoke to the evil spirit. Jesus said, "You evil spirit that makes this boy deaf and stops him from talking--I command you to come out of this boy and never enter him again!" ²⁶The [evil] spirit screamed. The spirit caused the boy to fall on the ground again, and then the spirit came out. The boy looked like he was dead. Many people said, "He is dead!" ²⁷But Jesus held the boy's hand and helped him stand. ²⁸Jesus went into the house. His followers were alone with him there. They said, "We could not force that evil spirit out. Why?" ²⁹Jesus answered, "That kind of spirit can only be forced out by using prayer."

Moses and Elijah Two important Jewish leaders during the time of the Old Testament. Son of Man A name Jesus used for himself. In Dan. 7:13-14, this is the name for the Messiah, the one God chose to save his people. Elijah A man that spoke for God about 850 B.C. Elijah must come See Mal. 4:5-6. Scripture Part of the Holy Writings--Old Testament.