Matthew 17:5

5. A bright cloud Literally, a cloud of light. Overshadowed them Where the cloud was made of light, the shadow must be a radiance. Them The former lustre described in Matthew 17:2 belonged to Jesus alone. The others were dim in the comparison. But the “cloud of light” suffuses them all with its glory. A voice out of the cloud The voice, namely, of God, the Father Almighty. This seems to show that the cloud was the Shekinah, or divine presence. It was the same, perhaps, which filled the temple at the dedication by Solomon. It dwelt in the ancient temple and the tabernacle. This is my beloved Son As the lustre had been most glorious on him alone, so the voice testifies to him alone. The servants are unnoticed by it, the Son alone is named. Hear ye him Hear net them, but him. God spake in former times by the prophets, but now he speaks by his Son, Hebrews 1:1. Moses has passed away, and the prophets have ceased; and one in whom the law and the prophets meet has now appeared. How much this scene impressed Peter is evident from his own words, (2 Peter 1:16-18,) written long years afterwards: “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.”