Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 17:1

"And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:" — Matthew 17:1 (ASV)

After six days — Luke’s statement of “about eight days” (Luke 9:28) can be seen as an example of the method of reckoning that referred to the interval between our Lord’s death and resurrection—about thirty-six hours—as three days.

Peter, James, and John — The three retain their position as the elect among the elect, as they did in the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 13:3). Considering the grouping of the Apostles, it might have seemed natural for Andrew to have been there as well. However, his character seems to have been consistently reserved, and perhaps he lacked the intensity of faith that belonged to his brother, the Rock-Apostle, and to the two Sons of Thunder.

Into a high mountain — A tradition of uncertain date designates Mount Tabor as the scene of the Transfiguration, but this was probably due to the mountain’s conspicuous position, rising abruptly from the plain of Esdraelon. The Gospel narratives leave the location entirely uncertain. However, since Caesarea Philippi was the last place mentioned and a journey through Galilee follows (Mark 9:30), it is more probable that the event took place on one of the heights of Mount Hermon. Furthermore, Tabor was crowned with a fortress that was likely occupied at this time, a fact inconsistent with the solitude the narrative implies.