Matthew 17:1

King James Version (KJV)

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

After six days - Mark 9:2, has the same number; but Luke says, Luke 9:28, after eight days. The reason of this difference seems to be the following: Matthew and Mark reckon the days from that mentioned in the preceding chapter, to that mentioned in this; Luke includes both days, as well as the six intermediate: hence, the one makes eight, the other six, without any contradiction.

Peter, James, and John - He chose those that they might be witnesses of his transfiguration: two or three witnesses being required by the Scripture to substantiate any fact. Eminent communications of the Divine favor prepare for, and entitle to, great services and great conflicts. The same three were made witnesses of his agony in the garden, Matthew 26:37.

A high mountain - This was one of the mountains of Galilee; but whether Mount Tabor or not, is uncertain. Some think it was Mount Hermon. St. Luke says, Christ and his disciples went up into the mountain to pray, Luke 9:28.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Matthew 17:1-9. See also Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36.

And after six days - That is, six days from the conversation recorded in the last chapter.

Luke Luke 9:28 says, about an eight days after. Matthew mentions the six days that intervened between the day of the conversation and the transfiguration. Luke includes both those days, and thus reckons eight. Besides, Luke does not pretend to fix the precise time. He says, “about an eight days after.”

Taketh Peter, and James, and John - These three disciples were with him, also, in the garden of Gethsemane, Mark 14:33. He designed to prepare them in an eminent degree for the work of the gospel ministry by the previous manifestations of his glory, and of his patience in suffering.

Into a high mountain apart - That is, apart from the other disciples. It is commonly supposed that this was Mount Tabor, a high mountain in Galilee. The name of the mountain is not, however, mentioned in the New Testament. Luke adds Luke 9:28 that he went up there to pray. Our Saviour prayed much. When he did it he chose to be alone. For this purpose he often ascended mountains or went into the deserts. There is something in the solitude and deep and awful stillness of a lofty mountain favorable to devotion.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Now the disciples beheld somewhat of Christ's glory, as of the only begotten of the Father. It was intended to support their faith, when they would have to witness his crucifixion; and would give them an idea of the glory prepared for them, when changed by his power and made like him. The apostles were overcome by the glorious sight. Peter thought that it was most desirable to continue there, and to go no more down to meet the sufferings of which he was so unwilling to hear. In this he knew not what he said. We are wrong, if we look for a heaven here upon earth. Whatever tabernacles we propose to make for ourselves in this world, we must always remember to ask Christ's leave. That sacrifice was not yet offered, without which the souls of sinful men could not have been saved; and important services were to be done by Peter and his brethren. While Peter spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, an emblem of the Divine presence and glory. Ever since man sinned, and heard God's voice in the garden, unusual appearances of God have been terrible to man. They fell prostrate to the earth, till Jesus encouraged them; when looking round, they beheld only their Lord as they commonly saw him. We must pass through varied experiences in our way to glory; and when we return to the world after an ordinance, it must be our care to take Christ with us, and then it may be our comfort that he is with us.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

1. After six days. [The Transfiguration, Matt. 17:1-13=Mark 9:2-13=Luke 9:28-36. Major comment: Matthew. See Retirement from Public Ministry; The Ministry of Our Lord.] For events and circumstances leading up to the Transfiguration see on ch. 16:13. The Transfiguration probably took place in the latter part of the summer, a.d. 30. The Passover season of a.d. 30 had seen public opinion in Galilee turn against Jesus (see on ch. 15:21). Also the Sanhedrin had intensified its purpose to bring His ministry to a halt (see on Matt. 16:1; cf. Mark 7:1, 2). At Caesarea Philippi Jesus had, for the first time, spoken plainly to the disciples concerning His sufferings and death (see on Matt. 16:21). But they, like all other Jews, thought of the Messiah as a conquering king. Hence it was difficult, even for them, to grasp the idea of a Messiah who would suffer and die. Gloomy thoughts, as upon previous occasions, filled their minds, owing to their misunderstanding of the nature and purpose of Jesus’ ministry.

The period of time here mentioned, “after six days,” refers to the time since Peter’s profession of faith in the divine Sonship of Jesus (ch. 16:16). Luke (ch. 9:28) speaks of it as being “about an eight days after,” that is, about a week later. By inclusive reckoning, a week would be called “eight days” (see pp. 248-250). It is not unusual for Luke (see on ch. 3:23) to give an approximation or “about” rather than an exact statement of time.

Peter, James, and John. These three had shown better understanding than their fellow disciples of the truths Christ sought to impart. At least upon one previous occasion they had been especially selected to witness divine power at work (see Mark 5:37), and because of their deeper spiritual insight they were yet to witness His hour of agony in Gethsemane (see Mark 14:33). It was especially to prepare them for that hour of fear and disappointment that Jesus now took them alone with Him into the hills (see DA 420).

An high mountain. The site of the Transfiguration is not known. Mt. Tabor (elevation 1,929 ft., or 588 m.), about 12 mi. (19 km.) southwest of the Lake of Galilee and 5 1/2 mi. (c. 9. km.) east of Nazareth, was the traditional location. But the discovery that in the time of Christ a fortress and a small settlement crowned its summit has made it seem impossible that Jesus could there have found the solitude spoken of by Matthew and Mark (cf. DA 419).

Since Tabor is no longer seriously considered as the site of the Transfiguration, it has generally been identified with Mt. Hermon (elevation 9,166 ft., or 2,794 m.), on whose lower slopes lay the city of Caesarea Philippi, and in the vicinity of which Christ and the disciples are known to have been immediately preceding the Transfiguration (see on ch. 16:13). But there are difficulties with this identification also. In the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi and Mt. Hermon, Jesus was “out of the reach of Herod and Caiaphas” and “at a distance from the Pharisees” (see DA 418). It was a Gentile region beyond the limits of Galilee. That fact was what led Christ to withdraw there for a time (see on ch. 16:13). But at the foot of the mount of Transfiguration the scribes and rabbis mingled with a throng of people, most likely Jewish, and sought to humiliate Jesus and His disciples. This would seem to indicate that the Transfiguration took place in Galilee rather than in the Gentile district of Caesarea Philippi.

Furthermore, following the visit to Caesarea Philippi, but before the Transfiguration, Jesus and the disciples are spoken of as journeying southward along the shores of the Lake of Galilee (see DA 418), at least 30 mi. (48 km.) from Mt. Hermon. During the week’s interval between the Great Confession and the Transfiguration, then, Jesus had returned to Galilee. Thus it seems that neither Tabor nor Hermon was the mount of Transfiguration.

Apart. Luke adds that Jesus went there “to pray” (ch. 9:28). This was one of those special occasions when Jesus anxiously sought communion with His heavenly Father (see on Mark 1:35) in order that He might know how to accomplish His mission (see on Mark 3:13). In this instance the problem was how to help the disciples understand the true nature of His mission, and how to prepare them for His death (see on Matt. 16:13). The entire night was spent on the mountainside (see DA 426).

Jesus and His companions had kept on climbing, apparently, until it became too dark to go farther. It would seem that Jesus had already spent a considerable portion of the night in prayer by the time of the Transfiguration, for, as the hours passed slowly by, the dew of night was “heavy” upon Him. He prayed for personal strength to face the great test that lay ahead, and also for His disciples, that their faith in Him as the Son of God might be strengthened, that they might understand the necessity of His death as part of the plan of salvation, and that they might be prepared for the hour of trial (see DA 420). Accordingly, He prayed that they might behold His divine glory, which thus far, except for fleeting moments, had been hidden from their gaze (see on Luke 2:48).

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 539

John is distinguished above the other apostles as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” John 21:20. He seems to have enjoyed to a pre-eminent degree the friendship of Christ, and he received many tokens of the Saviour's confidence and love. He was one of the three permitted to witness Christ's glory upon the mount of transfiguration and His agony in Gethsemane, and it was to his care that our Lord confided His mother in those last hours of anguish upon the cross. AA 539.1

The Saviour's affection for the beloved disciple was returned with all the strength of ardent devotion. John clung to Christ as the vine clings to the stately pillar. For his Master's sake he braved the dangers of the judgment hall and lingered about the cross, and at the tidings that Christ had risen, he hastened to the sepulcher, in his zeal out-stripping even the impetuous Peter. AA 539.2

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Ellen G. White
God's Amazing Grace, 346.1

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. Matthew 17:1, 2. AG 346.1

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Ellen G. White
The Sanctified Life, 53

The apostle John was distinguished above his brethren as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” While not in the slightest degree cowardly, weak, or vacillating in character, he possessed an amiable disposition and a warm, loving heart. He seems to have enjoyed, in a pre-eminent sense, the friendship of Christ, and he received many tokens of the Saviour's confidence and love. He was one of the three permitted to witness Christ's glory upon the mount of transfiguration and His agony in Gethsemane; and to the care of John our Lord confided His mother in those last hours of anguish upon the cross. SL 53.1

The Saviour's affection for the beloved disciple was returned with all the strength of ardent devotion. John clung to Christ as the vine clings to the stately pillar. For his Master's sake he braved the dangers of the judgment hall and lingered about the cross; and at the tidings that Christ had risen, he hastened to the sepulcher, in his zeal outstripping even the impetuous Peter. SL 53.2

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Ellen G. White
Patriarchs and Prophets, 479

In consequence of sin Moses had come under the power of Satan. In his own merits he was death's lawful captive; but he was raised to immortal life, holding his title in the name of the Redeemer. Moses came forth from the tomb glorified, and ascended with his Deliverer to the City of God. PP 479.1

Never, till exemplified in the sacrifice of Christ, were the justice and the love of God more strikingly displayed than in His dealings with Moses. God shut Moses out of Canaan, to teach a lesson which should never be forgotten—that He requires exact obedience, and that men are to beware of taking to themselves the glory which is due to their Maker. He could not grant the prayer of Moses that he might share the inheritance of Israel, but He did not forget or forsake His servant. The God of heaven understood the suffering that Moses had endured; He had noted every act of faithful service through those long years of conflict and trial. On the top of Pisgah, God called Moses to an inheritance infinitely more glorious than the earthly Canaan. PP 479.2

Upon the mount of transfiguration Moses was present with Elijah, who had been translated. They were sent as bearers of light and glory from the Father to His Son. And thus the prayer of Moses, uttered so many centuries before, was at last fulfilled. He stood upon the “goodly mountain,” within the heritage of his people, bearing witness to Him in whom all the promises to Israel centered. Such is the last scene revealed to mortal vision in the history of that man so highly honored of Heaven. PP 479.3

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