behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), for emphasis. appeared. App-106 . Moses. Representing the Law, and those to be raised from the dead. See note on Matthew 8:4 . Elias = Elijah. Representing those "caught up" without dying. Both mentioned in Malachi 4:4 , Malachi 4:5 . talking = talking together. In Luke 9:31 "they spake of His decease". read more
MATT. 17THE TRANSFIGURATION; THE COMING OF ELIJAH; THE DISCIPLES' FAILURE WITH THE DEMON-POSSESSED BOY; THE PASSION PROPHESIED AGAIN; JESUS PAYS TRIBUTE WITH THE MONEY IN THE FISH'S MOUTHAnd after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart. (Matthew 17:1)Luke makes the time interval "eight days" (Luke 9:28); but there is no discrepancy from Mark and Matthew. Luke used the inclusive method of reckoning time, counting the... read more
And he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.The glory of Christ was revealed. The effulgence of the Godhead made his face luminous and shone through his garments. Again from Williams,It is a subjective vision that is here related, no mere inward impression on brain or nerve with nothing external to correspond, but a real objective occurrence, which was beheld by mortal eyes endued with no supernatural or abnormal powers,... read more
And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.How did the apostles recognize Moses and Elijah? The conversation seems to be the most logical source of that information. It may be concluded from this incident that the saints will know the redeemed of all ages in their glorified state in heaven. The appearance of Moses and Elijah with Christ was strong proof of his deity, since Christ was able to recall from the hosts of righteous dead those typical representatives of... read more
Matthew 17:1. And after six days— That is, about six days if we reckon exclusively, and about eight days if we reckon inclusively, after our Lord had accepted the title of Messiah. See Luk 9:28 who has it, about eight days after. The two accounts differ only, as if one should say, that Christ appeared to his disciples after his death, another after his resurrection: the connection with the end of the former chapter must be attended to here, as in many other places. Heylin. Tradition has... read more
Matthew 17:2. And was transfigured before them— The word μεταμορφωθη implies either that there was a transfiguration made on the substance of his body, according to the import of the word in the best classic writers; (See Philippians 3:21.) or that the outward appearance only of his body was altered, as seems most probable from the manner in which St. Luke has expressed it. In this transfiguration the face of Jesus became radiant and dazzling; for it shone like the sun in its unclouded meridian... read more
Matthew 17:3. And behold, there appeared—Moses and Elias— See Luke 9:30., &c. respecting the remainder of this transaction. read more
The Synoptic evangelists rarely mentioned exact periods of time. Consequently there was probably a good reason Matthew did so here. Probably he did so to show that what happened on the mountain fulfilled what Jesus predicted would happen in Matthew 16:28. The reference provides a sturdy link between the two events: prediction and fulfillment.Peter, James, and John constituted Jesus’ handpicked inner circle of disciples (cf. Matthew 26:37; Mark 5:37). They were evidently the best prepared and... read more
The preview of the kingdom 17:1-8 (cf. Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36)The Transfiguration confirmed three important facts. First, it confirmed to the disciples that the kingdom was indeed future. Second, it confirmed to them that Jesus was indeed the divine Messiah in three ways. The alteration of Jesus’ appearance revealed that He was more than a human teacher. His association with Moses and Elijah demonstrated His messianic role. And the voice from heaven declared that He is the Son of God. [Note:... read more
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E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 17:2
transfigured. Greek. metamorphoomai = to change the form. Occurs only here, Mark 9:2 , and in Rom 12:2 , 2 Corinthians 3:18 . Marking the change TO a new condition, while metaschematizo = change FROM a former condition. See note on Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:21 . was = became. light. App-130 . read more