Bible Commentaries
Matthew 17

Verses 1-27

"After six days." Days of silence. No record have we of what transpired in those days. The strange declarations of the Cross had crushed the hearts of these men. Now to three of their number, as special training for special work, was granted this wondrous vision of glory. The true force and meaning of all this they did not comprehend until the Spirit came. That then the value of the experience was appreciated is evident from Peter's reference to the vision ( 2Pe 1:16-19 ).

Again a contrast! There the mountain; now the valley. There glorified saints; here the lunatic. There the King in His heavenly glory; here His representatives baffled and beaten. And why? For lack of faith! Not for lack of intellectual assent-though even that today seems in danger of vanishing-but for lack of that living faith which yields the whole being to the King's unquestioned control. Wherever there is such faith, even though small as a grain of mustard seed, the mountains become plains. Yet how glorious it is that when need can find its way beyond the failing disciples to their Lord He is never beaten or unable. With what quiet and Kingly majesty He accomplishes all we fail to do. That is the great comfort. The Habakkuk 1:0 issue of this fight with demons does not depend on us, but on Him.