Matthew 17:7

7 and Jesus having come near, touched them, and said, `Rise, be not afraid,'

Matthew 17:7 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 17:7

And Jesus came and touched them
The disciples were at some little distance from Christ, but he observing the fear and surprise they were in, came to their relief and assistance; which he did not disdain to give, notwithstanding the glory he was covered with; but acts the part of a mediator between God and them, and lays hold on them to raise them up, whom the majesty of God's voice had cast down: the Persic version renders it, "he came and brought them to themselves"; who were just fainting and swooning away, at the awfulness of the voice:

and said, arise, and be not afraid:
it is not the voice of an angry God, but of God well pleased with me, and in me with you; it is the voice of my God, and your God, of my Father, and your Father; arise, stand on your feet, take heart, and be of good courage, no hurt will come to you.

Matthew 17:7 In-Context

5 While he is yet speaking, lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying, `This is My Son, -- the Beloved, in whom I did delight; hear him.'

6 And the disciples having heard, did fall upon their face, and were exceedingly afraid,

7 and Jesus having come near, touched them, and said, `Rise, be not afraid,'

8 and having lifted up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus only.

9 And as they are coming down from the mount, Jesus charged them, saying, `Say to no one the vision, till the Son of Man out of the dead may rise.'