Bible Commentaries
Matthew 17

Verse 1

After six days. The Transfiguration (see App-149 ) is date in all three Gospels (Mark 9:2 .Luke 9:28; Luke 9:28 ). It was thus connected with the first mention of His sufferings and death (Matthew 16:21 ; Matthew 17:9 , Matthew 17:12 ), and would counteract any doubts that the disclosure might give rise to. By it the glory is connected with the sufferings, as it always is (Compare Matthew 16:21 with Matthew 17:27 and Luke 24:26 , and see App-71 . 1 Peter 1:11 ; 1 Peter 4:13 ; 1 Peter 5:1 ); and it gives a glimpse of His coming (2 Peter 1:16-18 ).

after. Greek. meta. App-104 .

Jesus. App-98 .

taketh = taketh [Him aside].

Peter, &c. These three were with Him at the raising of Jairus's daughter (Mark 6:37 ), and in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37 ).

James = and James.

an high mountain. Not the traditional "Tabor", for it was then inhabited, with a fortress on the top, according to Josephus. More probably Hermon.

Verse 2

transfigured. Greek. metamorphoomai = to change the form. Occurs only here, Mark 9:2 , and in Rom 12:2 , 2 Corinthians 3:18 . Marking the change TO a new condition, while metaschematizo = change FROM a former condition. See note on Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:21 .

was = became.

light. App-130 .

Verse 3

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

appeared. App-106 .

Moses. Representing the Law, and those to be raised from the dead. See note on Matthew 8:4 .

Elias = Elijah. Representing those "caught up" without dying. Both mentioned in Malachi 4:4 , Malachi 4:5 .

talking = talking together. In Luke 9:31 "they spake of His decease".

Verse 4

if, &c. See the condition in App-118 . Not the same as in Matthew 17:20 .

wilt. App-102 .

tabernacles = booths.

Verse 5

spake = was speaking.

a bright cloud. Was this the Shekhinah, the symbol of Jehovah's glory?

out of. Greek. ek.

This is My beloved Son. The Divine formula of consecration of Messiah as priest; in Matthew 3:17 as prophet. In Psalms 2:7 . Acts 13:33 , and Hebrews 1:5 ; Hebrews 5:5 , as king.

am well pleased = have found delight.

hear ye Him. Compare Deuteronomy 18:18 , Deuteronomy 18:19 .

Verse 6

on. Greek. epi.

sore = exceedingly.

Verse 7

not. Greek. me. App-105 .

saw. App-133 .

Verse 8

no man = no one.

save = except, used for alla (= but). See note on "but", Matthew 20:23 .

only = alone.

Verse 9

from = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 .

the Son of man. See App-98 .

be risen again = have risen. Here, "again" is part of the verb. Not so in Matthew 17:23 , and Matthew 16:21 .

from = from among. Greek. ek. App-104 . The first occurance of ek in this connection. Always associated with Christ and His People (not with the wicked dead). See all the other occurrences: Mark 6:14 ; Mark 9:9 , Mark 9:10 ; Mark 12:25 .Luke 9:7 ; Luke 16:31 ; Luke 20:35 ; Luke 24:46 . John 2:22 ; John 12:1 , John 12:9 , John 12:17 ; John 20:9 ; John 21:14 .Acts 3:15 ; Acts 4:2 , Acts 4:10 ; Acts 10:41 ; Acts 13:30 , Acts 13:34 ; Acts 17:3 , Acts 17:31 .Romans 4:24 ; Romans 6:4 , Romans 6:9 , Romans 6:13 ; Romans 7:4 ; Romans 8:11 , Romans 8:11 ; Romans 10:7 , Romans 10:9 ; Romans 11:15 . 1 Corinthians 15:12 , 1 Corinthians 15:20 . Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:1 .Ephesians 5:14 .Philippians 1:3 , Philippians 1:11 (see note). Colossians 1:18 ; Colossians 2:12 . 1 Thessalonians 1:10 . 2 Timothy 2:8 . Hebrews 13:20 . 1 Peter 1:3 , 1 Peter 1:21 . On the other hand, with apo See Matthew 14:2 ; Matthew 27:64 ; Matthew 28:7 . Compare Luke 16:30 , Luke 16:31 . In all other cases it is used simply of a resurrection of dead bodies, or of dead people.

the dead = dead people (no Art.) See App-139 .

Verse 11

shall first come = cometh first.

restored will restore. Not the same, but better. The noun occurs only in Acts 3:21 . The verb occurs eight times: Matthew 12:13 ; Matthew 17:11 .Mark 3:5 ; Mark 8:25 ; Mark 9:12 .Luke 6:10 . Acts 1:6 . Hebrews 13:19 .

Verse 12

knew = recognized. Greek. epiginosko. App-132 .

not. Greek. ou.

have done = did.

unto him = in his case. Greek. en. App-104 .

listed = pleased, or willed. Greek. thelo. App-102 .

shall . . . suffer = is about . . . to suffer. So in Matthew 17:22 and Matthew 20:22 .

also the Son of man. = the Son of man also.

of = through or by. Greek. hupo . App-104 .

Verse 13

of = concerning. Greek. peri. App-104 .

Verse 14

came = came down, &c. Compare Mark 9:14 .Luke 9:37 .

a certain man = a man. Greek. anthropos. App-123 .

Verse 15

mercy = pity.

he is lunatick = moonstruck: i.e. epileptic, because epilepsy was supposed to be caused by the moon. Greek. seleniazomai. Occurs only in Matthew, here, and Matthew 4:24 .

sore vexed = suffers miserably.

Verse 16

could not cure him = were not able to cure him.

Verse 17

faithless = unbelieving.

perverse = perverted.

generation. See note on Matthew 11:16 .

how long . . . ? = until when . . . ? Figures of speech Erotesis and Ecphonesis. App-6 .

suffer = put up with.

Verse 18

the devil = it, or him.

he = it: i.e. the demon.

out of = away from. Greek. apo. App-104 . Not the same as Matthew 17:5 .

child = boy. Greek. pais . App-108 .

Verse 19

Why could not we cast him out? = Why were not we able to east it out? See notes on Matthew 21:21 , and Luke 17:5 .

Verse 20

Because = On account of. Greek. dia. See note on Luke 17:6 .

unbelief. All the texts read "little faith", or "littleness of faith". See note on Mat 6:38 .

verily. See note on Matthew 5:18 .

If, &c. Denoting a contingent condition. App-118 .

say. The Rabbins were termed rooters up of mountains, because they were dexterous in removing difficulties. See note on Luke 17:6 .

to yonder place = thither (as though pointing). See note on Luke 17:6 .

Verse 21

this kind. Implying different kinds. See Matthew 12:45 . Act 16:17 . 1 John 4:1 . T Tr. [A] WH R omit this verse; but not the Syriac.

but = except.

prayer. Greek. proseuche. See App-134 .

Verse 22

Galilee. App-169 .

shall be = is about to be. This is the second of the four announcements. See the Structure, and note on Matthew 16:21 .

betrayed = delivered up. This is added in this the second announcement of His sufferings. Compare Matthew 16:21 .

Verse 23

shall = will.

the third day. See note on Matthew 16:21 ; and App-148 .

be raised again = be raised up. Not the same word as in Matthew 17:9 , but the same as in Matthew 16:21 .

Verse 24

tribute = money = the didrachma = the half-shekels (Exodus 30:11-16 ). Occurs only here. See App-51 .:8. Not the same word as in Matthew 17:25 ; Matthew 22:19 .

Verse 25

Yes. Showing that the Lord did pay. Compare Matthew 17:27 .

prevented = anticipated: i.e. spoke first, or forestalled. Greek. prophthano. Occurs only here.

of = from. Greek. apo , as in Matthew 17:9 , not in verses: Matthew 17:17 , Matthew 17:12 , Matthew 17:13 .

earth. Greek. ge App-129 .

custom = toll, or duty.

tribute = tax. Greek. kensos, from Latin. census, which = registration, which involved taxation.

children = sons. App-108 . Not the same as Matthew 17:18 .

strangers = those of other families: i.e. not their own sons. Not foreigners. Greek. allotrios. App-124 .

Verse 26

Then = It followeth, then, that.

Verse 27

lest we should offend, &c. But, not (Greek. me. App-105 .) to give them an occasion of offence (either by neglecting their duty or by traducing the Lord). See Matthew 18:6 .

an hook. A weighted line with several hooks, rapidly drawn through the water, is employed to-day at Tiberias. Greek. agkistron. Occurs only here.

a piece of money. Greek. stater : i.e. a shekel. Occurs only here.