What Jesus Did! 'The Key to Telling' — Matthew 17:9

Tuesday, August 12, 2025

As [Jesus, Peter, James, and John] went back down the mountain [after the Transfiguration], Jesus commanded them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."
— Matthew 17:9 NLT

Key Thought

Once again, Jesus cautions his disciples about not sharing what they have seen until they have the key to telling this incredible truth!

How can they explain what they have seen? They don't even understand it themselves. Like so many things Jesus said and did in his ministry, this one does not make sense until they experience the resurrected Jesus.

Jesus' resurrection, of course. The resurrection was their key to understanding the crucified Messiah, a concept they had such a hard time accepting. The resurrection validates God becoming human flesh and being subject to death. It's the key that makes everything else believable. So what about you? Do you believe in Jesus and the resurrection so that you have the key to sharing Jesus' Good News?

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I praise you for your power in raising Jesus from death and making his death and resurrection the saving events in my own life. Through your Spirit, dear Lord, please help me to keep surrendering to death all that is not good in me and raise up with power those things that are holy and good. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 16:21
  • Matthew 17:22-23
  • Matthew 20:17-19

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 17:9 NLT — "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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