Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 17:14

"And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a man, kneeling to him, saying," — Matthew 17:14 (ASV)

And when they were come to the multitude —Luke states that this was on the next day, after they had apparently spent the night on the Mount of Transfiguration. The masterful art of Raphael has vividly juxtaposed the contrast between the scene of glory above and that of trouble and unrest below, but we must not allow the impression from the painting to distort our understanding of the events. The two scenes did not happen at the same time. The vision was at night, and the descent from the mountain would have taken those who made the journey well into the following day.

There came to him a certain man —Mark (Mark 9:14–16) gives a fuller account. As our Lord and the three disciples were approaching the others, they saw a crowd with scribes arguing among them. When the people saw Jesus, they were astonished, ran to Him, and greeted Him. He then asked, “Why are you arguing with them?” This question prompted the man's answer and prayer, which in Matthew’s account appears without any introduction.