171 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, and James, and John his brother, and doth bring them up to a high mount by themselves, 2 and he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his garments did become white as the light, 3 and lo, appear to them did Moses and Elijah, talking together with him. 4 And Peter answering said to Jesus, 'Sir, it is good to us to be here; if thou wilt, we may make here three booths—for thee one, and for Moses one, and one for Elijah.' 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.' 10 And his disciples questioned him, saying, 'Why then do the scribes say that Elijah it behoveth to come first?' 11 And Jesus answering said to them, 'Elijah doth indeed come first, and shall restore all things, 12 and I say to you—Elijah did already come, and they did not know him, but did with him whatever they would, so also the Son of Man is about to suffer by them.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 17:1-12
Commentary on Matthew 17:1-13
(Read Matthew 17:1-13)
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.