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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 17:8

And when they had lift up their eyes ,.... And "looked round about", as Mark says, to see whether the same objects still continued, as Moses and Elias; and the bright cloud: they saw no man ; neither Moses nor Elias, who were both gone: signifying, that though the law and the prophets were till this time, they were now finished and completed, and the Mosaic economy was to be no more; as these men appeared no more after, nor will they till the second coming of Christ. And Mark has it,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:2

Was transfigured - That fullness of the Godhead, which dwelt bodily in Christ, now shone forth through the human nature, and manifested to his disciples not only that Divinity which Peter had before confessed, Matthew 16:16 , but also the glorious resurrection body, in which they should exist in the presence of God to eternity. White as the light - But the Cod. Bezae, some of the ancient versions, and several of the fathers, read ως χιων , as snow; and this is the reading in Mark... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:3

Moses and Elias - Elijah came from heaven in the same body which he had upon earth, for he was translated, and did not see death, 2 Kings 2:11 . And the body of Moses was probably raised again, as a pledge of the resurrection; and as Christ is to come to judge the quick and the dead, for we shall not all die, but all shall be changed, 1 Corinthians 15:51 , he probably gave the full representation of this in the person of Moses, who died, and was thus raised to life, (or appeared now as... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:4

Peter said - let us make, etc. - That is, when he saw Moses and Elijah ready to depart from the mount, Luke 9:33 , he wished to detain them, that he might always enjoy their company with that of his Lord and Master, still supposing that Christ would set up a temporal kingdom upon earth. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:5

A bright cloud overshadowed them - Or as six MSS. and Ephraim read it, a cloud of light, νεφελη φωτος ; which reading Griesbach has admitted into the text. As a bright cloud, or a cloud of light could not overshadow, or cast any kind of shade, the word επεσκιασεν should be translated, surrounded them. A cloud was frequently the symbol of the Divine presence; but such a cloud had always something very remarkable in its appearance. Ezekiel, Ezekiel 1:4 , represents it as a great cloud,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:6

Fell on their face - Dismayed by the voice, and dazzled by the glory of the cloud. So Daniel, Daniel 8:17 , and Saul of Tarsus, Acts 9:4 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:7

Jesus came and touched them - Exactly parallel to this account is Daniel 8:18 , I was in a deep sleep, i.e. (a trance) on my face towards the ground; but he Touched me, and set me upright. From Jesus alone are we to expect Divine communications, and by his power only are we able to bear and improve them. It is very likely that this transfiguration took place in the night, which was a more proper season to show forth its glory than the day time, in which a part of the splendor must... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:4

Verse 4 4.Lord, it is good for us to be here. Luke tells us that Peter uttered these words while Moses and Elijah were departing; and hence we infer that he was afraid lest, at their departure, that pleasant and delightful exhibition should vanish away. We need not wonder that Peter was so captivated by the loveliness of what he beheld, as to lose sight of every other person, and rest satisfied with the mere enjoyment of it; as it is said in the psalm, In thy presence is fulnessess of joy,... read more

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