Mat 17:1-9, Mar 9:2-10 | Family | STEP | Not taste of death ; not die. Coming in his kingdom ; coming to set up, extend, and render efficacious his reign over his people on earth, in preparation for their everlasting reign with him in heaven. There seems to be here a special reference to the awful manifestation of his presence and power in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish state, by which was shadowed forth his final coming to judge the world.

‏ Matthew 17:1-9

Not taste of death; not die.

Coming in his kingdom; coming to set up, extend, and render efficacious his reign over his people on earth, in preparation for their everlasting reign with him in heaven. There seems to be here a special reference to the awful manifestation of his presence and power in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish state, by which was shadowed forth his final coming to judge the world. Transfigured; changed in his appearance.

His raiment was white as light; resplendent as lightning. The three apostles were here favored with a glimpse of the future glory of the Saviour and his true followers, well calculated to strengthen their faith in passing through the trying scenes that were before them, and through them to strengthen the faith of all his disciples amid "the sufferings of this present time." Ro 8:18; Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2. The glory of the Saviour when on earth was veiled in him humanity; but on the Mount of Transfiguration it shone forth above the brightness of the sun; and as a full view of it, if continued, would unfit his people for their duties on earth, they must wait for this till they see him in heaven. Moses and Elias; the representatives of "the law and the prophets" here appear in glory, but subordinate to the Saviour. Thus the unity of the old and new dispensation is set forth, and also the supreme dignity of "Christ the Son of the living God." Tabernacles; a tabernacle was a temporary dwelling, covered usually with cloth or boughs of trees. Peter was so amazed and bewildered by the glory of the vision, that he knew not what he said. Mr 9:6; Lu 9:33. His plans were repeatedly in opposition to those of his Lord. A voice; the voice of God the Father, as in chap. Mt 3:17, with the addition, "Hear ye him," attend to his instructions, and follow them. The delight of all parents in all children, from the foundation of the world to the end of time, if put together, would be infinitely less than the delight of the almighty Father in his beloved Son; and the way for men to glorify God is, to hearken to and honor the Son as they ought to honor the Father. Joh 5:23. The vision; what they had seen and heard.

‏ Mark 9:2-10

2-10. The transfiguration. Mt 17:1-9. The great business of men is to hear the instructions of Christ, especially those which relate to his sufferings and death, and so to act as to influence as many as possible to believe on him, to the salvation of their souls. What the rising from the dead should mean; though Christ had clearly foretold his resurrection from the dead, his disciples appear not to have understood, or not to have believed it.