17:1 And {1} {a} after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
(1) Christ in his present company is humble in the gospel, but all the while he is Lord both of heaven and earth.
(a) Luke counts eight days, containing in that number the first and last, and Matthew speaks but of the days between them.
17:1 The Transfiguration
SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 17:
The Transfigured Lord. Moses and Elias. The Voice from the Cloud. The Lunatic Healed. The Son of Man to Be Betrayed. Slain and Raised the Third Day. The Tribute Money.
And after six days. Compare Mr 9:2-8 Lu 9:28-36 Joh 1:14 2Pe 1:18. Six days after the conversation recorded in the last chapter. Luke says, about an eight days (Lu 9:28). About, not exactly. Luke's eight days include the fractional days at the beginning and end of the day of the conversation and the day of transfiguration. Matthew's six days are the six complete days intervening between them.
Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John. The three apostles who were chosen to be nearest to the Lord.
Into an high mountain. Not Mt. Tabor, for, as we learn from Josephus, who lived in that time, the top of Mt. Tabor was then occupied by a town and fortress. On the other hand, the Lord was in the vicinity of Mt. Hermon. See PNT Mt 16:13. Hermon was a high mountain, ten thousand feet high, visible over most of Palestine.
17:1 A high mountain - Probably Mount Tabor. Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28.
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.
