Mat 17:1-9 | TNotes | STEP | 17:1 Peter ... James and John later accompanied Jesus at Gethsemane (26:37 ; 2 Pet 1:16-19 ). • It is impossible to determine the exact location of this high mountain . The traditional site, Mount Tabor, is only about 1,900 feet (580 meters) high and is out of the way for a trip from Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13 ) to Capernaum (17:24 ). Mount Hermon, another possibility, is about 9,200 feet (2,800 meters) high and located in Syria, forty miles north of Capernaum. It is unlikely, however, that “teachers of religious law” (Mark 9:14 ) would have congregated at the foot of a mountain in Gentile territory. A strong candidate is Mount Meron, about 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) high and situated between Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum.

17:1 ^a Peter ... James and John later accompanied Jesus at Gethsemane (26:37 ^b; 2 Pet 1:16-19 ^c).

• It is impossible to determine the exact location of this high mountain. The traditional site, Mount Tabor, is only about 1,900 feet (580 meters) high and is out of the way for a trip from Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13 ^d) to Capernaum (17:24 ^e). Mount Hermon, another possibility, is about 9,200 feet (2,800 meters) high and located in Syria, forty miles north of Capernaum. It is unlikely, however, that “teachers of religious law” (Mark 9:14 ^f) would have congregated at the foot of a mountain in Gentile territory. A strong candidate is Mount Meron, about 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) high and situated between Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum.
17:2 ^g Jesus’ appearance was transformed: Jesus’ inner, divine nature, previously veiled, was now disclosed so that the three caught a glimpse of his glory (see Exod 34:29-35 ^h; Ps 104:2 ⁱ; 2 Cor 3:12-18 ^j; Rev 1:16 ^k). Jesus’ followers will one day share in this glory (Matt 13:43 ^l).
17:3 ^m Moses symbolizes the law and Elijah the prophets. They appeared as witnesses to Christ, to demonstrate that Jesus, God’s Son, is the fulfillment of everything written in the Law and the Prophets (see 5:17-20 ⁿ; 11:2-6 ^o; 12:28 ^p).
17:4 ^q three shelters as memorials: Peter probably thought that the Kingdom was about to be ushered in with full glory (cp. Acts 1:6 ^r), and he desired to memorialize the moment.
17:5 ^s a bright cloud overshadowed them: Such an occurrence accompanied God’s presence among the ancient Israelites during Moses’ ministry (see Exod 24:15-18 ^t; 25:8 ^u; 29:45-46 ^v; 40:34-38 ^w).

• my dearly loved Son: The Father was confirming what Peter had previously affirmed (Matt 16:16-17 ^x).

• They should listen to him because Jesus is God’s Son, who, as a prophet, reveals God’s will (11:27 ^y; see Deut 18:15 ^z, 18 ^aa; Acts 3:22-23 ^ab; 7:37 ^ac).
Summary for Matt 17:6-7: 17:6-7 ^ad Such a response is typical for encounters with God’s glory (e.g., Isa 6:5 ^ae; Dan 8:17 ^af; 10:9 ^ag, 15-19 ^ah; Rev 1:17 ^ai).
17:9 ^aj Jesus could not be fully understood until all of his work was accomplished, particularly his death and resurrection.