Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 17:3

"And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him." — Matthew 17:3 (ASV)

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Thus the Law and the Prophets, "Moses and Elias," communed with our Lord, "talking with him," and entering into familiar conversation with their Lord. Saints long departed still live; live in their personality; are known by their names; and enjoy near access to Christ. It is a great joy to holy ones to be with Jesus: they find it heaven to be where they can talk with him.

The heads of former dispensations conversed with the Lord concerning his decease, by which a new economy would be ushered in. After condescending so long to his ignorant followers, it must have been a great relief to the human soul of Jesus to talk with two master-minds like those of Moses and Elijah. What a sight for the apostles, this glorious trio! They "appeared unto them," but they "talked with him;" the object of the two holy ones was not to converse with apostles, but with their Master.

Although saints are seen by men, their fellowship is with Jesus.

Thus the Law and the Prophets, Moses and Elias, communed with our Lord, talking with him and entering into familiar conversation with their Lord. Saints long departed still live—live in their personality, are known by their names, and enjoy near access to Christ. It is a great joy to holy ones to be with Jesus. They find it heaven to be where they can talk with Him.

The heads of former dispensations conversed with the Lord about His decease, by which a new economy would be ushered in. After condescending so long to His ignorant followers, it must have been a great relief to the human soul of Jesus to talk with two master-minds like those of Moses and Elijah.

What a sight for the apostles, this glorious trio! They appeared unto them, but they talked with him. The object of the two holy ones was not to converse with apostles, but with their Master. Although saints are seen by men, their fellowship is with Jesus.

And, behold, –

As if this was a great wonder. The transfiguration of Christ could scarcely be called miraculous, for it is according to the nature of Christ that his face should shine, and his very garments become glorious.

There appeared to them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Moses, the great representative of the law, and Elias, the chief of the prophets—one who had died, and one who had entered heaven without dying—thus representing both the quick and the dead.