Matthew 17:10

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, For the exposition, see the notes at Luke 9:28. The time of this section is sufficiently denoted by the events which all the narratives show to have immediately preceded it-the first explicit announcement of His death, and the transfiguration-both being between his third and his forth and last Passover,...

10._And his disciples asked him, saying. _No sooner is the resurrection mentioned than the disciples imagine that the reign of Christ is commenced; (482) for they explain this word to mean that the world would acknowledge him to be the Messiah. That they imagined the resurrection to be something totally different from what Christ meant, is evident from what is stated by Mark, that _they disputed with each other what was the meaning of that expression which he had used, To rise from the dead _Perhaps, too, they were already under the influence of that dream which is now held as an undoubted oracle among the Rabbins, that there would be a first and a second coming of the Messiah; that in the first he would be mean and despised, but that this would be shortly afterwards followed by his royal dignity. And, indeed, there is some plausibility in that error, for it springs from a true principle...

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 overshad...

Verse Matthew 17:10. _HIS DISCIPLES_] instead of HIS disciples, some MSS., with the _Coptic, Armenian, Vulgate_, all the _Itala_ except two, and _Origen_, read simply, οι μαθηται, THE _disciples_, i.e. those only who had been with him on the mount, _Peter, James_, and _John_. _WHY THEN SAY THE SCRIBES THAT ELIAS MUST FIRST COME?_] As the disciples saw that _Elijah_ returned to heaven, knowing the tradition of the elders, and the prophecy on which the tradition was founded, Malachi 4:5, _Behold I send you Elijah the prophet, before the great and_ _terrible day of the Lord shall come; and he shall turn the hearts,_ _ c._, it was natural enough for them to inquire what the meaning of the _tradition_, and the intention

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 they did not then recollect that he had appeared. To this difficulty the word then refers. “We are satisfied that thou art the Christ, but Elijah has not yet come, as was expected; what, then, is the meaning of the common opinions of our learned men, the scribes? Were they right or wrong in their expectation of Elijah?” See the notes at Matthew 11:14. Matthew 17:

EXPOSITION MATTHEW 17:1 _The Transfiguration of Jesus_._ _(Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28.) This mysterious event was intended primarily to confirm the faith of the three apostles who were to have the chief hand in founding the Church. The Lord had just announced his future sufferings and death. This prediction had been a grievous blow to Peter, and doubtless to the others also. He had stumbled at the cross, and had brought on himself a stern rebuke for his slowness and worldliness. So to comfort the chosen three under the thought of what awaited their Master, they were shown a glimpse of the glory which he has in heaven; they saw the Law and the prophets yielding subjection to him; t

AND HIS DISCIPLES ASKED HIM, SAYING,.... That is, these three, Peter, James, and John, before they came to the rest; whilst they were going down the mountain, or from it, to the place where the others were; for the rest knew nothing of the appearance of Elias, and so cannot be thought to join in a question concerning him. WHY THEN SAY THE SCRIBES, THAT ELIAS MUST FIRST COME? That is, come before the Messiah comes; for certain it is, that this was the sense of the Scribes, as it was of the ancient Jews, and is still the opinion of the modern ones. They say h, "that in the second year of Ahaziah, Elias was hid; nor will he appear, till the Messiah comes; then he will appear, and will be hid a second time; and then will not appear, till Gog and Magog come.'' And they expressly affirm i, that "before the coming of the son of David, יבא אליהו לבשר, "Elias will come to bring the good news...

Matthew 17:1. _And after six days_ Luke says, «about an eight days after these sayings;» but I suppose he counted the day before and the day after. «After six days,» and the first day was, probably, the first day of the week, so he was now coming to another Lord's day. One of the high Christian festivals of the life of Christ was about to be celebrated. Jesus was not yet dead, therefore it was not the resurrection that was celebrated on that day, but the transfiguration. «After six days,» six days' teaching concerning the cross before he revealed his glory. Dear brethren, there are many in these days who delight to speak almost exclusively about the glory of the second advent. Now, God forbid that we should be silent concerning that great theme! But I think our teaching concerning it must be given after six days' consideration of the sufferings of Christ. Let those who will say, «

WHY THEN SAY THE SCRIBES THAT ELIAS MUST FIRST COME Compare (Matthew 11:14); (Mark 9:11); (Luke 1:17); (Malachi 3:1); (Malachi 4:5). All the passages must be construed together. (1) Christ confirms the specific and still unfulfilled prophecy of (Malachi 4:5): "Elias shall truly first come and restore all things." Here, as in Malachi, the prediction fulfilled in John the Baptist, and that yet to be fulfilled in Elijah, are kept distinct. (2) But

5. THE COMING GLORY; the Helpless Disciples and the Power of the King. The Tribute Money. CHAPTER 17 _ 1. The Transfiguration. (Matthew 17:1 .) 2. The Helpless Disciples and the Power of the King. (Matthew 17:14 .) 3. The Second Announcement of His Death and Resurrection. (Matthew 17:22 .) 4. The Tribute Money.(Matthew 17:24 .)_ The first part of this chapter gives us the record of the transfiguration of our Lord Jesus Christ. The portion before us is one of the richest in the entire book of Matthew; so full of precious teachings and suggestions that one almost shrinks from attempting an expos