17:1 Peter . . . James and John later accompanied Jesus at Gethsemane (26:37; 2 Pet 1:16-19). • It is impossible to determine the exact location of this high mountain. The traditional site, Mount Tabor, is only about 1,900 feet (580 meters) high and is out of the way for a trip from Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13) to Capernaum (17:24). Mount Hermon, another possibility, is about 9,200 feet (2,800 meters) high and located in Syria, forty miles north of Capernaum. It is unlikely, however, that “teachers of religious law” (Mark 9:14) would have congregated at the foot of a mountain in Gentile territory. A strong candidate is Mount Meron, about 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) high and situated between Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum.

17:17 faithless and corrupt people: The expression is often used for moral depravity (see Deut 32:5, 19-22). Normally, this exclamation of Jesus was directed at the unbelieving Jewish crowds or leaders who refuse to acknowledge God’s presence in him (see Matt 12:39). Here, however, it was a sharp criticism of his disciples’ failure to trust Jesus and his saving, healing power.