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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:1

Verse 1 Matthew 17:1.And after six days. We must first inquire for what purpose Christ clothed himself with heavenly glory for a short time, and why he did not admit more than three of his disciples to be spectators. Some think that he did so, in order to fortify them against the trial which they were soon to meet with, arising from his death. That does not appear to me to be a probable reason; for why should he have deprived the rest of the same remedy, or rather, why does he expressly forbid... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:2

Verse 2 2.And was transfigured before them. Luke says that this happened while he was praying; and from the circumstances of time and place, we may infer that he had prayed for what he now obtained, that in the brightness of an unusual form his Godhead might become visible; not that he needed to ask by prayer from another what he did not possess, or that he doubted his Father’s willingness, but because, during the whole course of his humiliation, he always ascribed to the Father whatever he did... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:3

Verse 3 3.And, lo, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah. It is asked, Were Moses and Elijah actually present? or was it only an apparition that was exhibited to the disciples, as the prophets frequently beheld visions of things that were absent? Though the subject admits, as we say, of arguments on both sides, yet I think it more probable that they were actually brought to that place. There is no absurdity in this supposition; for God has bodies and souls in his hand, and can restore the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:1

After six days. St. Luke says, "about an eight days after these sayings," either speaking indefinitely, or using the inclusive method of reckoning which we find in the recounts of our Lord's resurrection. The days are counted from the time of Peter's confession and Christ's subsequent announcement. The little company were still in the neighbourhood of Caesarea Philippi, though we know not exactly in what place, and nothing is told of the events of this week. The memorable day may be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:1

The mission of the selected ones. On three occasions it is reported that our Lord took three of the disciples apart with him; and it was always the same three. We need not, however, assume that the reported cases were the only cases. Observing them, we note that they were representative instances. In the first case, the raising of the little maid, special witnesses were needed for the surprising miracle, the restoration of the dead. In the other two cases—Transfiguration and Gethsemane—we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:1-8

The Transfiguration. Raphael's famous picture at the Vatican gives us an external representation of this wonderful event. But we want to get behind the canvas and discover the meaning of it, if it is to be something more to us than a theatrical transformation scene, something better than a spectacular display. I. THE GLORY OF CHRIST . The external splendour had a meaning. If it was not a purely artificial radiance created in order to dazzle the eyes of the disciples, it must have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:1-8

The Transfiguration. The intention of this scene seems to have been to inaugurate the sufferings of Christ, and to set him apart as the Lamb of God who was to take away the sin of the world. Being a public event, it behoved that it should be witnessed, and the same three men are chosen as witnesses of the rehearsal of his sufferings who are afterwards witnesses of the sufferings themselves in Gethsemane—the three most closely bound to him in affection. On both occasions their conduct proved... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:1-8

The Transfiguration. "And six days after." This note refers to the conversation Jesus had with his disciples, in which he said, "The Son of man shall come," etc. (quote Matthew 16:27 , Matthew 16:28 ). But the apostles are all dead, and the kingdom is still future. The Transfiguration, then, must be viewed as a symbolic anticipation and pledge of the kingdom, and Peter and James and John were those referred to who should not taste death until they had seen the Son of man coming in his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration of Jesus . ( Mark 9:2-13 ; Luke 9:28-36 .) This mysterious event was intended primarily to confirm the faith of the three apostles who were to have the chief hand in founding the Church. The Lord had just announced his future sufferings and death. This prediction had been a grievous blow to Peter, and doubtless to the others also. He had stumbled at the cross, and had brought on himself a stern rebuke for his slowness and worldliness. So to comfort the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration. I. THE GLORY . 1 . The attendant circumstances . Six days had elapsed since the memorable conversation in the parts of Casarea Philippi. That conversation must have filled the hearts of the apostles with strange, awful thoughts. He with whom they had lived so long in the intercourse of familiar friendship was indeed the Christ, the Son of the living God. They had marked the dignity of his Person, the authority of his words, the power of his miracles; and... read more

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