The Transfiguration on the Mountain
The Lord Jesus takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain. These three disciples are the “some” of the previous verse [Matt 16:28] to whom He said that they “will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom”. In the scene that follows, they get a taste of what it will be like when the Son of Man comes into His kingdom.
This event is introduced with the words “six days later”. Six days is the period of man’s ordinary working hours on earth [Exod 20:9]. When the period of man’s activity is over, the seventh day, the day of rest, comes. The Sabbath, the seventh day, is a picture of the peace of the kingdom of peace. The transfiguration on the mountain gives an impression of this and these disciples are allowed to experience it. The Lord Jesus is the radiant center of that kingdom. All attention is directed to Him.
In the presence of the three disciples He is transformed. The Man Who is outwardly indistinguishable from other people, Who for the natural eye has no “[stately] form or majesty” [Isa 53:2], receives another, impressive, glorious appearance. His face shines like the sun. The sun is the picture of the highest dominion and has dominion over the day [Gen 1:16]. He shall shine like this in the kingdom of peace, over which He shall rise as the Sun of righteousness [Mal 4:2].
Then what Zacharias, the father of John the baptist, prophesies when he speaks of “the Sunrise from on high” which will direct the feet of his people on the way of peace will become fully reality [Luke 1:78-79]. His garments turning white as the light indicates that all the works of His rule throughout His reign will be perfectly clean and immaculate. He shall exercise this right in a completely transparent manner.
Peter understood all that later. He writes in his second letter that he and the other two disciples have “made known … the power and coming of our Lord Jesus” as “eyewitnesses of His majesty”. He also writes about how they have experienced that the Lord Jesus received from God the Father “honor and glory” when “such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well-pleased’”. All this happened when they were “with Him on the holy mountain” [2Pet 1:16-18].
While they are with Him on the mountain, Moses and Elijah appear to them. They do not appear to the Lord Jesus, for they have never been hidden from Him. They are always before Him. Moses and Elijah represent the two pillars on which the Jewish system rests. Moses is the founder of the people in connection with the law. Elijah is the restorer of the relationship between God and the people in connection with the law. The disciples have no problem recognizing them. We see here also that in the resurrection the distinction between persons is maintained, although the earthly relations are over.
Both men speak to the Lord Jesus. From the Gospel according to Luke we know that they speak with Him about the path He must tread to get to the kingdom of peace, of which they enjoy a foretaste here [Luke 9:31].
This event is introduced with the words “six days later”. Six days is the period of man’s ordinary working hours on earth [Exod 20:9]. When the period of man’s activity is over, the seventh day, the day of rest, comes. The Sabbath, the seventh day, is a picture of the peace of the kingdom of peace. The transfiguration on the mountain gives an impression of this and these disciples are allowed to experience it. The Lord Jesus is the radiant center of that kingdom. All attention is directed to Him.
In the presence of the three disciples He is transformed. The Man Who is outwardly indistinguishable from other people, Who for the natural eye has no “[stately] form or majesty” [Isa 53:2], receives another, impressive, glorious appearance. His face shines like the sun. The sun is the picture of the highest dominion and has dominion over the day [Gen 1:16]. He shall shine like this in the kingdom of peace, over which He shall rise as the Sun of righteousness [Mal 4:2].
Then what Zacharias, the father of John the baptist, prophesies when he speaks of “the Sunrise from on high” which will direct the feet of his people on the way of peace will become fully reality [Luke 1:78-79]. His garments turning white as the light indicates that all the works of His rule throughout His reign will be perfectly clean and immaculate. He shall exercise this right in a completely transparent manner.
Peter understood all that later. He writes in his second letter that he and the other two disciples have “made known … the power and coming of our Lord Jesus” as “eyewitnesses of His majesty”. He also writes about how they have experienced that the Lord Jesus received from God the Father “honor and glory” when “such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with Whom I am well-pleased’”. All this happened when they were “with Him on the holy mountain” [2Pet 1:16-18].
While they are with Him on the mountain, Moses and Elijah appear to them. They do not appear to the Lord Jesus, for they have never been hidden from Him. They are always before Him. Moses and Elijah represent the two pillars on which the Jewish system rests. Moses is the founder of the people in connection with the law. Elijah is the restorer of the relationship between God and the people in connection with the law. The disciples have no problem recognizing them. We see here also that in the resurrection the distinction between persons is maintained, although the earthly relations are over.
Both men speak to the Lord Jesus. From the Gospel according to Luke we know that they speak with Him about the path He must tread to get to the kingdom of peace, of which they enjoy a foretaste here [Luke 9:31].
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-3
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
 | Author: Ger de Koning Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-04-02 Source: Title: Matthew Author: Ger de Koning Copyright: kingcomments.com Note General: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author or the publisher. |
Six days after the event at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain somewhere in Galilee. Many commentaries emphasize the significance of these six days.
Gaebelein says, for example:
'Six is the number of man – the number symbolizing the workdays. After six days, that is, after the work and the day of man are completed, the day of the Lord will come, the kingdom of heaven.'
When Luke says that the Transfiguration happened 'about eight days later' [Lk 9:28], he is counting the first day, the last day, and, of course, the days in between. Since Eight encompasses the number of resurrection and a new beginning, it is fitting that Luke associates the kingdom with a new start.
Peter, James, and John, who apparently had a very close position to the Lord, were privileged to see his Transfiguration. Until then, his glory had been veiled by a normal human body. But now his face shone 'like the sun', and his clothes became 'white as light', a visible proof of his deity, just as the cloud or Shekinah in the OT symbolized the presence of God. The scene was a preview of the Lord's appearance when he will return to establish his kingdom. He will no longer appear as the sacrificial lamb, but as the Lion of Judah. All who see him will immediately recognize him as the Son of God, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Gaebelein says, for example:
'Six is the number of man – the number symbolizing the workdays. After six days, that is, after the work and the day of man are completed, the day of the Lord will come, the kingdom of heaven.'
When Luke says that the Transfiguration happened 'about eight days later' [Lk 9:28], he is counting the first day, the last day, and, of course, the days in between. Since Eight encompasses the number of resurrection and a new beginning, it is fitting that Luke associates the kingdom with a new start.
Peter, James, and John, who apparently had a very close position to the Lord, were privileged to see his Transfiguration. Until then, his glory had been veiled by a normal human body. But now his face shone 'like the sun', and his clothes became 'white as light', a visible proof of his deity, just as the cloud or Shekinah in the OT symbolized the presence of God. The scene was a preview of the Lord's appearance when he will return to establish his kingdom. He will no longer appear as the sacrificial lamb, but as the Lion of Judah. All who see him will immediately recognize him as the Son of God, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-2
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
 | Author: William MacDonald Rank: Author Posted on: 2024-01-04 Source: Title: Commentary on the New Testament Year (original): 1989 Author: William MacDonald Number of pages: 1504 Publisher/Editor: CLV Print: GGP Media GmbH, Pößneck |
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.
Verses that belong to this explanation: 1-13
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto 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. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard [it], they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, ‹Arise, and be not afraid.› 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, ‹Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.› 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, ‹Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.› 12 ‹But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.› 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
 | Author: Matthew Henry Rank: Priest AD: 1714 Source: Title: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible Author: Matthew Henry |
Why does he take only these three with him? Because each one of these three was elevated above the rest. Peter showed his preeminence by exceedingly loving him; John by being exceedingly loved by him. James showed his superiority by his ready response to his brother: we are able to drink the cup and by his works and by doing what he said. For so earnest was James, and grievous to the Jews, that Herod himself imagined that he had bestowed a great favor on the Jews by killing him. The Gospel of Matthew, Homily
 | Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
Now another says, after eight, Luke 9:28 not contradicting this writer, but most fully agreeing with him. For the one expressed both the very day on which He spoke, and that on which He led them up; but the other, the days between them only. But mark thou, I pray you, the severe goodness of Matthew, not concealing those who were preferred to himself. This John also often does, recording the peculiar praises of Peter with great sincerity. For the choir of these holy men was everywhere pure from envy and vainglory.
| Author: John Chrysostom Rank: Bishop AD: 407 |
Now it is asked how after six days he took them and led them separately onto a high mountain, whereas the Evangelist Luke established the number at eight. The answer is easy because in Matthew the days in the middle are counted, but in Luke the first and last are added. For Luke does not say after eight days Jesus took Peter and James and John but “now about eight days after.” .
 | Author: Jerome Rank: Priest AD: 420 |
Indeed, in this type of event, reason, harmony and example are served. For after six days the appearance of the Lord’s glory is revealed. No doubt, with the cycles of six thousand years having unfolded, the glory of the heavenly kingdom is prefigured. And the three were taken up in analogy to the descent of the three, Shem, Ham and Japheth. By this the coming election to divine favor of the people is shown.
 | Author: Hilary of Poitiers Rank: Bishop AD: 368 |
The listed verse explanations of the individual persons have nothing to do with the explanations of the other persons. This also applies to the Bible translations.
