Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 17:1-2

"And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart: and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light." — Matthew 17:1-2 (ASV)

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Were these "six days" a week's quiet interval, in which our Lord prepared himself for the singular transaction upon the "mountain apart"? Did the little company of three know from one Sabbath to another that such an amazing joy awaited them? The three were elect out of the elect, and favored to see what no one else in all the world might behold. Doubtless our Lord had reasons for his choice, as he has for every choice he makes; but he does not unveil them to us. The same three beheld the agony in the garden; perhaps the first sight was necessary to sustain their faith under the second.

The name of the "high mountain" can never be known; for those who knew the locality have left no information. Tabor, if you please; Hermon, if you prefer it. No one can decide. It was a lone and lofty hill. While in prayer, the splendor of the Lord shone out.

His face, lit up with its own inner glory, became a sun; and all his clothing, like clouds irradiated by that sun, became white as the light itself. He was transfigured before them; he alone was the center of what they saw. It was a marvellous unveiling of the hidden nature of the Lord Jesus.

Then, in one way, the word of John was fulfilled: The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory. The transfiguration occurred but once: special views of the glory of Christ are not enjoyed every day.

Our highest joy on earth is to see Jesus. There can be no greater bliss in heaven; but we shall be better able to endure the exceeding bliss when we have laid aside the burden of this flesh.

Were these “six days” a week’s quiet interval, in which our Lord prepared Himself for the singular event on the “mountain apart”? Did the little company of three know from one Sabbath to another that such an amazing joy awaited them? The three were elect out of the elect and favored to see what no one else in all the world could behold. Doubtless our Lord had reasons for His choice, as He has for every choice He makes, but He does not reveal them to us. The same three witnessed the agony in the garden; perhaps the first sight was necessary to sustain their faith during the second.

The name of the “high mountain” can never be known, for those who knew the location have left no information. Tabor, if you please; Hermon, if you prefer. No one can decide. It was a lone and lofty hill.

While He was praying, the splendor of the Lord shone out. His face, lit up with its own inner glory, became a sun. All His garments, like clouds illuminated by that sun, became as white as the light itself. He was transfigured before them. He alone was the center of what they saw. It was a marvelous unveiling of the hidden nature of the Lord Jesus. Then, in one way, the word of John was fulfilled: The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory.

The transfiguration occurred only once. Special views of the glory of Christ are not enjoyed every day. Our highest joy on earth is to see Jesus. There can be no greater bliss in heaven, but we will be better able to endure the exceeding bliss when we have laid aside the burden of this flesh.

Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up unto an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

White and glistering, says Luke; exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them, says Mark.