Matthew 17:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 17:1-13

We have here thee story o Christ's transfiguration; he ha said that the Son of man should shortly come in his kingdom, with which promise all the three evangelists industriously connect this story; as if Christ's transfiguration were intended for a specimen and an earnest of the kingdom of Christ, and of that light and love of his, which therein appears to his select and sanctified ones. Peter speaks of this as the power and coming of our Lord Jesus (2 Pet. 1:16); because it was an emanation... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 17:1-8

17:1-8 Six days after, Jesus took Peter, and James, and John his brother, and brought them by themselves to a high mountain, and his appearance was changed in their presence. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. And, look you, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is a fine thing for us to be here. I will make three booths, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, look... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 17:1-8

There on the mountain slopes two great figures appeared to Jesus--Moses and Elijah. It is fascinating to see in how many respects the experience of these two great servants of God matched the experience of Jesus. When Moses came down from the mountain of Sinai, he did not know that the skin of his face shone ( Exodus 34:29 ). Both Moses and Elijah had their most intimate experiences of God on a mountain top. It was into Mount Sinai that Moses went to receive the tables of the law ( Exodus... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 17:1-8

But the episode of the Transfiguration did something not only for Jesus but for the disciples also. (i) The minds of the disciples must have been still hurt and bewildered by the insistence of Jesus that he must go to Jerusalem to suffer and to die. It must have looked to them as if there was nothing but black shame ahead. But start to finish, the whole atmosphere of the Mountain of Transfiguration is glory. Jesus' face shone like the sun, and his garments glistened and gleamed like the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 17:1

That is, so long after Christ's conversation with his disciples at Caesarea Philippi, Peter's confession of him, and the reproof he gave him, upon his intimating that he should suffer and die, and Christ's resentment of it; after he had discoursed about his disciples taking up their cross, and following him; and of men's losing and finding their lives; and after the promise, or prophecy, that he had given out, that some then present should not die, until he came into his kingdom. Mark says the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 17:1

After six days - Mark 9:2 , has the same number; but Luke says, Luke 9:28 , after eight days. The reason of this difference seems to be the following: Matthew and Mark reckon the days from that mentioned in the preceding chapter, to that mentioned in this; Luke includes both days, as well as the six intermediate: hence, the one makes eight, the other six, without any contradiction. Peter, James, and John - He chose those that they might be witnesses of his transfiguration: two or... read more

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

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

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