Matthew 17:11

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,...

11._Elijah indeed will come first. _We have stated elsewhere the origin of that error which prevailed among the Jews. As John the Baptist was to resemble _Elijah _by restoring the fallen condition of the Church, the prophet Malachi (Malachi 4:5) had even given to him the name of _Elijah; _and this had been rashly interpreted by the scribes, as if _Elijah the Tishbite _(1 Kings 17:1) were to return a second time to the world. Christ now declares that every thing which Malachi uttered was true, but that his prediction had been misunderstood and distorted from its true meaning. “The promise,” says he, “that _Eliah _would come was true, and has been already fulfilled; but the scribes have already rejected Elijah, whose name they idly and falsely plead in opposing me.” And will restore all things....

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 17:11. _ELIAS - SHALL FIRST COME, AND RESTORE ALL THINGS._] Or _will reform_, αποκαταστησει; this word our Lord quotes from the Septuagint; who render the Hebrew והשוב לב אבות על בנים _vehesheb_ _leb aboth al banim, he will cause the heart of the fathers to turn_ _to the children_, by, ος αποκαταστησει καρδιαν πατρος προς υιον, who will convert, or restore, the heart of the father to the son. We are not therefore to understand the version of the Septuagint quoted by our Lord in any other sense than the Hebrew will allow. No fanciful restoration of all men, devils and damned spirits, is spoken of as either being done, or begun, by the ministry of John; but merely that he should preach a doctrine tending to universal reformation of manners, and should be greatly successful: see...

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 JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM,.... By way of concession, ELIAS TRULY SHALL FIRST COME: this is indeed a tenet of the Scribes, and it is also certain, that there is a prophecy in Malachi 4:5 of the coming of Elias; of one that goes under that name, not of Elias the Tishbite, in person, but of one that was to come in his power and spirit, AND RESTORE ALL THINGS. The Syriac and Persic versions render it, "shall perfect, or complete all things", that are prophesied of him; and shall put a period to the law and the prophets, and close the Mosaic economy, and direct persons to Christ; in whom are the perfection of the law, and the fulfilling of the prophets. The Arabic version reads it, "he shall teach you all things"; the whole of the Gospel being to be reduced to these two heads, repentance towards God, and faith in Christ; both which were taught by th

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, «

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

THE TRANSFIGURATION, AND THE COMING OF ELIJAH (Mark 9:2 *, Luke 9:28). The narrative agrees closely with Mk., the chief difference being the appropriate addition of Matthew 17:7. The fear of the disciples occurs earlier in Mk., and is made the occasion of Peter's intrusion; in Lk. it is omitted. MATTHEW 17:10. The disciples are puzzled because Elijah has only just appeared_ after_ the coming of the Messiah, whereas the scribes said he was to come _first._ The answer of Jesus is not very clear. We may take it thus: (The scribes are right in saying that) Elijah comes and rectifies everything ...