Matthew 17:8

8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, but Jesus only.

Matthew 17:8 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 17:8

And when they had lift up their eyes
And "looked round about", as Mark says, to see whether the same objects still continued, as Moses and Elias; and the bright cloud:

they saw no man;
neither Moses nor Elias, who were both gone: signifying, that though the law and the prophets were till this time, they were now finished and completed, and the Mosaic economy was to be no more; as these men appeared no more after, nor will they till the second coming of Christ. And Mark has it, "they saw no man any more"; that is, these men any more, neither then, nor afterwards, "save Jesus only". Mark adds, "with themselves"; in the same form as before his transfiguration. Christ is the only Mediator, Saviour, and Redeemer; the only Prophet, Priest, and King; and who only is to be, and can be beheld as such; and who does, and will abide with his people; and helps, comforts, and saves them, when none else can. Luke observes, that "when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone"; which was so ordered, that it might be a clear case, that this voice was only concerning Christ, and not either Moses or Elias.

Matthew 17:8 In-Context

6 And at these words the disciples went down on their faces in great fear.
7 And Jesus came and put his hand on them and said, Get up and have no fear.
8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, but Jesus only.
9 And when they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus gave them orders, saying, Let no man have word of what you have seen, till the Son of man has come again from the dead.
10 And his disciples, questioning him, said, Why then do the scribes say that Elijah has to come first?
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.