Charles Spurgeon 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)

And after six days –

Luke says, about an eight days after these sayings; but I suppose he counted the day before and the day after. After six days, – and the first day was, probably, the first day of the week, so he was now coming to another Lord's Day. One of the high Christian festivals of the life of Christ was about to be celebrated.

Jesus was not yet dead; therefore, it was not the resurrection that was celebrated on that day, but the transfiguration. After six days, – six days' teaching concerning the cross before he revealed his glory.

Dear friends, there are many in these days who delight to speak almost exclusively about the glory of the second advent. Now, God forbid that we should be silent concerning that great theme! But I think our teaching concerning it must be given after six days' consideration of the sufferings of Christ.

Let those who will say, "We preach Christ glorified;" I still mean to say, with Paul, But we preach Christ crucified. When I have had my six days for that topic, then I am truly glad to have another day to speak concerning Christ's glory.

We must never forget his death; all our immortal hopes are centered in the death of our great Substitute. After six days –