Matthew 17

Matthew 17:2

Mat. 17:2. “And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” This denoted who He was - viz., He that was spoken of in Daniel 7:9, and Psalms 104:2; Psalms 104:16-18.

Mat. 17:5

Matthew 17:5

Mat. 17:5. “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” This cloud was not bright merely as clouds are oftentimes very bright by the reflection of the light of the sun. But there was a more excellent and glorious brightness in it, which is a suitable symbol of the Divine presence, such as, perhaps, was in the Shekinah or cloud above the mercy-seat in the Tabernacle and Temple. Peter, speaking of the glory of this cloud, calls it “the excellent glory,” 2 Peter 1:17. Luke says they feared as they entered into the cloud; it was of the appearance of Divine majesty and glory that was in the cloud.

Mat. 17:21

Matthew 17:21

Mat. 17:21. “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting:” this kind as to the manner of possession and influence. There were dumb devils, and unclean devils, and a spirit of infirmity. Some only took the advantage of bodily distemper and disorder of the brain; others possessed them in a more extraordinary manner, so as to have their bodies more absolutely under their influence, using of them as they pleased, sometimes casting them into the fire, and sometimes into the water, as that spoken of in this place, and sometimes using their tongues as if they were their own, as did the man possessed with the legion.

Mat. 17:27

Matthew 17:27

Mat. 17:27. “Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” Which signifies that ministers of the gospel should receive of the temporal things of those that they preach the gospel to, whose souls they catch for Christ, for they are the fish of which gospel ministers are the fishers. Peter was a fisherman by trade, and Christ had commanded him to leave his net, and to follow him, and he would make him a fisher of men.

Mat. 18:16