Matthew 17:8

8 And they lifted up their eyes, and saw no man, but Jesus alone.

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 the disciples heard, and felled down [fell down] on their faces, and dreaded greatly.
7 And Jesus came, and touched them, and said to them, Rise up, and do not ye dread.
8 And they lifted up their eyes, and saw no man, but Jesus alone.
9 And as they came down of the hill, Jesus commanded to them, and said, Say ye to no man the vision, till man's Son rise again from death. [+And, they coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, Say ye to no man the vision, till that man's Son rise again from dead.]
10 And his disciples asked him, and said, What then say the scribes, that it behooveth that Elias come first? [And his disciples asked him, saying, What therefore say scribes, that it behooveth Elias first come?]
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.