Matthew 17:1. See also Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28.
AND AFTER SIX DAYS - That is, six days from the conversation recorded
in the last chapter.
Luke Luke 9:28 says, about an eight days after. Matthew mentions the
six days that intervened between the day of the conversation and the
transfiguration. Luke inc... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WAS TRANSFIGURED BEFORE THEM - The word “transfigure” means to
change the appearance or form. It does not denote the change of the
substance of a thing, but simply of its appearance. It puts on a new
aspect. What this change was we are expressly told.
1. His face shone as the sun; that is, with... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEHOLD THERE APPEARED UNTO THEM MOSES AND ELIAS - Moses, a
distinguished servant of God, by whom the law was given, and whose
institutions typified the Messiah. It was particularly proper that he
should appear, when his prophecies and types were about to be
fulfilled, and the rites which he had... [ Continue Reading ]
LET US MAKE HERE THREE TABERNACLES - A tabernacle is a tent. It was
made, commonly, by fixing posts into the ground, and stretching on
them cloth fastened by cords. See the notes at Isaiah 33:20. In some
instances they were made of branches of trees a temporary shelter from
the sun and rain, not a p... [ Continue Reading ]
A BRIGHT CLOUD OVERSHADOWED THEM - The word “overshadow” here
means, rather, to “be diffused” or “spread” over them. It does
not mean that it made a shade. A cloud was the symbol of the divine
presence. Thus, God went before the Israelites in a cloudy pillar -
dark by day and bright by night Exodus... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY FELL ON THEIR FACE - They entered into the cloud, or the cloud
enveloped them, Luke 9:34. “They were therefore afraid.” They were
awed at the presence of God, and prostrated themselves in solemn
adoration on the ground, and their fears were removed only by the
voice of their beloved Master. No... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL THE VISION TO NO MAN - This vision was designed particularly to
confirm them in the truth that he was the Messiah. While he was with
them it was unnecessary that they should relate what they had seen.
When he was crucified they would need this evidence that he was the
Christ. Then they were to... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 9:11.
WHY THEN SAY THE SCRIBES ... - The disciples appear to have been
satisfied now that he was the Messiah. The transfiguration had taken
away all their doubts, but they recollected that it was a common
doctrine among the Jews that Elijah would appear before the Messiah
came, and th... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME TO THE MULTITUDE - This took place on the day
following the transfiguration, Luke 9:37. This multitude was probably
composed of persons who had attended on his ministry, many of whom
were his real disciples. With them, as Mark Mark 9:15 informs us, were
“scribes questioning w... [ Continue Reading ]
LORD, HAVE MERCY - The word “Lord” here means “Sir,” a title
of civility, not implying divinity.
MY SON - This was an only son (Luke). He was possessed with a devil.
This calamity was attended with the following symptoms: he was lunatic
(see the notes at Matthew 4:24); he was sore vexed; that is, he... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I BROUGHT HIM TO THY DISCIPLES ... - That is, not to the apostles,
for they had power over unclean spirits Matthew 10:8, but to others of
his followers who attempted to work miracles. It is probable that many
of his disciples attempted this who were not personal attendants on
his ministry, Mark... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID, O FAITHLESS AND PERVERSE GENERATION! -
Perverse means that which is twisted or turned from the proper
direction; and is often used of the eyes, when one or both are turned
from their natural position. Applied to a generation or race of
people, it means that they hold op... [ Continue Reading ]
AND JESUS REBUKED THE DEVIL - The word “rebuke” has the combined
force of reproving and commanding. He reproved him for having
afflicted the child, and he commanded him to come out of him. Mark
Mark 9:25 has recorded the words which he used words implying reproof
and command: “Thou dumb and deaf spi... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN CAME THE DISCIPLES ... - This inquiry was made in some house to
which they retired near the place where the miracle was performed
(Mark). Jesus told them, in reply, that it was because of their
unbelief that they had not been able to cast him out. They were
appalled by the difficulty of the cas... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A GRAIN OF MUSTARD-SEED - See the notes at Matthew 13:31. The
mustard-seed was the smallest of all seeds. It has been supposed by
some, therefore, that he meant to say, If you have the smallest or
feeblest faith that is genuine, you can do all things. The
mustard-seed produced the largest of all... [ Continue Reading ]
HOWBEIT, THIS KIND ... - This kind means this kind of devils - this
species of possession. Where they have had long possession where they
produce such painful, fixed, and alarming effects, they can be
expelled only in connection with prayer and fasting.
GOETH NOT OUT BUT BY PRAYER AND FASTING - Tha... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 9:30; Luke 9:43.
AND WHILE THEY ABODE IN GALILEE - Galilee, the northern part of
Palestine. See the notes at Matthew 2:22.
THE SON OF MAN SHALL BE BETRAYED ... - To betray means to deliver up
in a treacherous manner. This was done by Judas Iscariot, called for
that act the traitor, Ma... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME TO CAPERNAUM - See the notes at Matthew 4:13.
THEY THAT RECEIVED TRIBUTE - In the original this is, they who
received the didrachma, or double drachma. The drachma was a Grecian
coin worth about fifteen cents (7 1/2 d.) of British money. The
didrachma, or double drachma, was... [ Continue Reading ]