Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 17:7

"And Jesus came and touched them and said, Arise, and be not afraid." — Matthew 17:7 (ASV)

Jesus had seemed to go away from them, lost in a cloud of brightness, but now He “came and touched them.” His communion with pure spirits did not make Him disdain the touch of feeble flesh. Oh, the sweet comfort of that gentle touch! It aroused, consoled, and strengthened His amazed and trembling disciples. The touch of the manhood is more reassuring to poor flesh and blood than the blaze of the Godhead.

The voice from heaven casts down, but the word from Jesus is, “Arise.” The Father’s voice made them greatly afraid, but Jesus says, “Be not afraid.” Glorious God, how much we bless You for the Mediator!

Yes, it was Jesus only who could give them comfort; and I have to say:

"Till God in human flesh I see,
My thoughts no comfort find;
The holy, just, and sacred
Three are terrors to my mind.
But if Immanuel's face appear,
My hope, my joy, begins;
His name forbids my slavish fear,
His grace removes my sins."

The hand of a man touched the apostles, and the voice of a man said to them, "Arise, and be not afraid."