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 ]