Matthew 17 - Introduction
_THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST: HE HEALETH THE LUNATIC, FORETELLETH HIS OWN PASSION, AND PAYETH TRIBUTE._ _Anno Domini 31._... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE TRANSFIGURATION OF CHRIST: HE HEALETH THE LUNATIC, FORETELLETH HIS OWN PASSION, AND PAYETH TRIBUTE._ _Anno Domini 31._... [ Continue Reading ]
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 Luke 9:28 who has it, _about eight days after._ The two accounts differ only, as if one should say, that Christ appeared to his d... [ Continue Reading ]
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 mos... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BEHOLD, THERE APPEARED—MOSES AND ELIAS— See Luke 9:30., &c. respecting the remainder of this transaction.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY HAD LIFTED UP THEIR EYES, &C.— This transfiguration of our Lord was intended for several important purposes. About six days before it happened, Jesus had predicted his own sufferings and death; at the same time, to prevent his disciples frombeing dejected by the melancholy prospect, as... [ Continue Reading ]
AND AS THEY CAME DOWN, &C.— Jesus and his disciples having been in the mountain all night, (See Luke 9:37.) the transfiguration may be supposed to have happened either in the day-time, or in the night: that it happened in the night-time is probable, from the disciples falling asleep while Jesus pray... [ Continue Reading ]
ELIAS TRULY, &C.— _True, Elias was to come first, and to set all things right:_ Matthew 17:12. _But I tell you,_ &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE IS LUNATIC— Σεληνιαζεται. The English word _lunatic_ always implies _madness;_ but the Greek word is applied to any disease which is under the influence of the moon, such as the _epilepsy,_ which seems to have been the distemper wherewith this man's son was afflicted by the power of the demon... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF YOUR UNBELIEF— When the disciples were come with our Lord, they askedhim the reason why they could not cast out that particular demon; to which he replies, _because of your unbelief._—"Knowing that you doubted whether I could enable you to cast out this demon, I ordered it so, that he wou... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS KIND GOETH NOT OUT, &C.— Prayer and fasting could have no relation to the ejection of demons, but so far only as they had a tendency to increase the faith of miracles in him who had that power formerly conferred upon him. For example, _prayer,_ by impressing a man's mind with a more intimate se... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHILE THEY ABODE IN GALILEE— It should seem that the wonder of the discipleswasaccompaniedwith proportionably high expectations of happiness in that temporal kingdom, which they were now convinced Jesus could easily erect. Our Lord, knowing this, thought fit when they came to Galilee, the countr... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME TO CAPERNAUM— Josephus has expressly asserted, that each of the Jews used yearly to pay a didrachma, or half shekel, the piece of money here mentioned, and in value about fifteen-pence of our currency, to the service of the temple, (See Antiq. lib. 18. 100. 9.) a custom which... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAITH, YES— Peter told the collectors, that his Master would pay tribute, and consequently, made a sort of promise to procure it for them; yet when he considered the matter more minutely, he was afraid to speak to the Messiah concerning his paying taxes upon any pretences whatever. In the mean ti... [ Continue Reading ]