Matthew 17:6

17:1-13 Now the disciples beheld somewhat of Christ's glory, as of the only begotten of the Father. It was intended to support their faith, when they would have to witness his crucifixion; and would give them an idea of the glory prepared for them, when changed by his power and made like him. The apostles were overcome by the glorious sight. Peter thought that it was most desirable to continue there, and to go no more down to meet the sufferings of which he was so unwilling to hear. In this he knew not what he said. We are wrong, if we look for a heaven here upon earth. Whatever tabernacles we propose to make for ourselves in this world, we must always remember to ask Christ's leave. That sacrifice was not yet offered, without which the souls of sinful men could not have been saved; and important services were to be done by Peter and his brethren. While Peter spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, an emblem of the Divine presence and glory. Ever since man sinned, and heard God's voice in the garden, unusual appearances of God have been terrible to man. They fell prostrate to the earth, till Jesus encouraged them; when looking round, they beheld only their Lord as they commonly saw him. We must pass through varied experiences in our way to glory; and when we return to the world after an ordinance, it must be our care to take Christ with us, and then it may be our comfort that he is with us.

And when the disciples heard it,.... The voice out of the cloud, and which they apprehended came from God, and was uttered with so much majesty: they fell on their face: not so much out of reverence, or for the sake of adoration, but as persons struck with astonishment and fear, and were as half dead; and so fell with their faces fiat to the ground, not being able to stand before God, to behold his majesty, and hear his voice: and were sore afraid: they were filled with fear, when, awaking out of their sleep, they saw the surprising glory of Christ, and of the two men that were with him, insomuch that they knew not what to think, or say; and so they were when they entered into the cloud, and still more upon hearing the voice of God himself, even though it was a voice of love, grace, and mercy; see Deuteronomy 5:24. But yet they were not struck with so much amazement and surprise, as not to know what was said; for they distinctly heard the words, rightly understood, and faithfully related them; from whom the evangelists had them, and which Peter perfectly remembered, and recorded many years after.

(6) When the disciples heard it. —At this point St. Matthew’s narrative is the fullest. The three disciples shrink in fear, like that of the Israelites at the brightness of Moses’ face ( Exodus 34:30 ), like that of the priests in the Temple who could not stand to minister because of the cloud ( 1Kings 8:11 ), and lie prostrate on the ground in speechless terror. They have seen the glory of the Lord: can they hear His voice and live?

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 man can see God and live; and it is only the glory of God, as it shines in the face of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 4:6 ), that mortals can bear.

Verse 6. - Were sore afraid. The vision and the voice overcame them with awe and terror. They fell on their face. They tried to shut out the awful radiance that blinded them. Man's weakness could endure no more; prostrate, paralyzed with fear, they lay on the ground. Who could see God, and live? Had they not seen his glory, and heard his voice? What could they do but crouch in abject terror? Thus they knew not that the scene was over, that the tremendous glimpse of unseen realities vouchsafed to them had passed away. Matthew 17:6

[Bible] 16:26. For what doth it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his own soul? Or what exchange shall a man give for his soul? 16:27. For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works. 16:28. Amen I say to you, there are some of them that stand here, that shall not taste death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew Chapter 17 The Transfiguration of Christ: He cures the lunatic child: foretells his passion; and pays the didrachma. 17:1. And after six days Jesus taketh unto him Peter and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: 17:2. And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow. 17:3. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him. 17:4. And Peter answering, said to Jesus: Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 17:5. And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him. 17:6. And the disciples hearing fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. 17:7. And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them: Arise, and fear not. 17:8. And they lifting up their eyes, saw no one, but only Jesus. 17:9. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying: Tell the vision to no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead. 17:10. And his disciples asked him, saying: Why then do the scribes say that Elias must come first? 17:11. But he answering, said to them: Elias indeed shall come, and restore all things. 17:12. But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, But have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them.

[Reformed Biblical] voice of God. This was the second time that, in a remarkable manner, he had declared this. See Matthew 3:17. This was spoken to confirm the disciples; to declare their duty to hear Christ rather than any other, and to honour him more than Moses and Elijah; and to strengthen their faith in him when they should go forth to preach the gospel, after he was shamefully put to death. After this, it was impossible for them to doubt that he was truly the Son of God. See 2 Pe 1:17,18. {i} "voice" Matthew 3:17; Mr 1:11; Luke 3:22; 2 Pe 1:17 {k} "in whom" Isaiah 42:1,21 {l} "hear ye" Deuteronomy 18:15,19; Acts 3:22,23; Hebrews 1:1,2; 2:1-3 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 17 - Verse 6 Verse 6. 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 their fears were removed only by the voice of their beloved Master. No man can see God and live. And it is only the glory of God, as it shines in the face of Christ, (see 2 Colossians 4:6) that mortals can bear. ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 17 - Verse 7 Verse 7. No notes from Barnes on this verse. {m} "touched them" Daniel 10:10,18; Revelation 1:17 ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 17 - Verse 8 Verse 8. No notes from Barnes on this verse. ## THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MAT

II. James and Matthew. The correspondence has often been fully pointed out by Theile and other commentators. James contains more reminiscences of the words of Christ than any other Epistle, especially from the Sermon on the Mount. Comp. James 1:2 with Matthew 5:10-12; James 1:4 with Matthew 5:48; James 1:17 with Matthew 7:11; James 1:20 with Matthew 5:22; James 1:22 sqq. with Matthew 7:21 sq.; James 1:23 with Matthew 7:26; James 2:13 with Matthew 6:14 sq.; James 2:14 with Matthew 7:21-23; James 3:2 with Matthew 12:36, 37; James 3:17, 18 with Matthew 5:9; James 4:3 with Matthew 7:7; James 4:4 with Matthew 6:24; James 5:12 with Matthew 5:34. According to a notice in the pseudo-Athanasian Synopsis, James "the Bishop of Jerusalem" translated the Gospel of Matthew from the Aramaic into the Greek. But there are also parallelisms between James and the first Epistle of Peter, and even between James and the apocryphal books of Ecclesiasticus and the Wisdom of Solomon. See Plumptre, Com. on James, pp. 32 sq. James 1:25: eis nomon teleion ton tes eleutherias. Galatians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 3:6. Comp. Galatians 6:2 (the law of Christ); Romans 13:8 sqq.; 3:22; 8:2. James 1:1; 2:1; ten pistin tou Kuriou hemon Iesou Christou tes dozes. James 1:18: bouletheis apekuesen hemas logo aletheias. James 2:22 he pistis sunergei tois ergois autou kai ek ton ergon he pistis eteleiothe. James 2:19.