Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 17:6
And when the disciples heard [it,] they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
They fell on their face – They entered into the cloud, or the cloud enveloped them, Luk 9:34. They were therefore afraid. They were awed at the presence of God, and prostrated themselves in solemn adoration on the ground, and their fears were removed only by the voice of their beloved Master. No man can see God and live; and it is only the glory of God, as it shines in the face of Christ (see 2Co 4:6), that mortals can bear.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 6. Fell on their face] Dismayed by the voice, and dazzled by the glory of the cloud. So Daniel, Da 8:17, and Saul of Tarsus, Ac 9:4.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Mark saith no more than, And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves. Such is the majesty and glory of God, that a cloud will not so veil it as that a man is able to behold any appearance of it without some consternation; something more than that fear of reverence, without which none ought to draw nigh unto him. Paul fell to the earth when a light from heaven shone upon him, Act 9:3,4. The disciples here fell on their faces, and were sore afraid. This lets us see the goodness of God in hearkening to the peoples request, Exo 20:19; Deu 5:28; 18:16,17, and speaking to us by men like unto ourselves: by Moses under the Old Testament; by Christ (that Prophet mentioned Deu 18:15) under the New Testament, and such as he commissioned to declare his will, Heb 1:1,2.
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. To deliver them from the fear of a spectrum, or apparition, he toucheth them, and saith in effect, It is I; be not afraid. They look up, and see the excellent glory and the cloud was withdrawn, as also Moses and Elias, and they and their Lord were left alone; and he goeth down from the mountain with them. Whether this mountain was Tabor, or some other mountain much nearer Caesarea Philippi, is of no consequence for us to be satisfied in.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when the disciples heard it,…. The voice out of the cloud, and which they apprehended came from God, and was uttered with so much majesty:
they fell on their face: not so much out of reverence, or for the sake of adoration, but as persons struck with astonishment and fear, and were as half dead; and so fell with their faces fiat to the ground, not being able to stand before God, to behold his majesty, and hear his voice:
and were sore afraid: they were filled with fear, when, awaking out of their sleep, they saw the surprising glory of Christ, and of the two men that were with him, insomuch that they knew not what to think, or say; and so they were when they entered into the cloud, and still more upon hearing the voice of God himself, even though it was a voice of love, grace, and mercy; see De 5:24. But yet they were not struck with so much amazement and surprise, as not to know what was said; for they distinctly heard the words, rightly understood, and faithfully related them; from whom the evangelists had them, and which Peter perfectly remembered, and recorded many years after.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
6. And having heard this God intended that the disciples should be struck with this terror, in order to impress more fully on their hearts the remembrance of the vision. Yet we see how great is the weakness of our nature, which trembles in this manner at hearing the voice of God. If ungodly men mock at God, or despise him without concern, it is because God does not address them so as to cause his presence to be felt; but the majesty of God, as soon as we perceive him, must unavoidably cast us down.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(6) When the disciples heard it.At this point St. Matthews narrative is the fullest. The three disciples shrink in fear, like that of the Israelites at the brightness of Moses face (Exo. 34:30), like that of the priests in the Temple who could not stand to minister because of the cloud (1Ki. 8:11), and lie prostrate on the ground in speechless terror. They have seen the glory of the Lord: can they hear His voice and live?
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
6. They fell on their face The lustre of the Saviour’s presence had only made them happy; but the splendour of the Shekinah, and the voice from its excellent glory, filled them with tremor. So Daniel, (Dan 9:9-10😉 and so John, fell before the Saviour himself, Rev 1:17. This was not simply fear, but the power of the divine voice subduing the power of soul and body.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were very much afraid.’
There is really no doubt that these three disciples must have been filled with awe from the beginning (as the other Gospels make clear). What they were seeing and experiencing was truly awesome. They would unquestionably have been shaken by the unbelievable glory emanating from Jesus, they would have been bewildered and astonished by the mysterious appearance and presence of men who had been heroes to them all their lives, and whom they knew were passed on and no longer of this world, and now the bright cloud which engulfed them and the voice that spoke to them was the final straw. They recognised that ‘God was in this place’. Here it is especially the voice that has made them very much afraid. We can compare this with the fear that Israel of old had known when God spoke to them directly (Exo 20:19-20; Deu 5:24-27). Here were the foundations of the new Israel experiencing the same problem. And thus they fell down to the ground and buried their faces. They did not want to see or hear any more. It was all too much for them.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The conclusion of the phenomenon:
v. 6. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face and were sore afraid.
v. 7. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
v. 8. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man save Jesus only. The divine voice, the voice of the pure and just God, was too much for the poor, sinful mortals, who, as long as they are clothed with this earthly body, cannot stand in His sight. In the intensity of their terror they fell to the ground upon their faces to hide themselves before Him whose eyes are like flames of fire. Jesus, ever kind, gentle, and sympathetic, stepped forward. In His touch was a world of understanding and cheering assurance. He urged them to arise and cast aside their fears. Thus strengthened, they took courage to lift up their eyes, and saw no one but only Jesus, as they had known Him for several years, in His former appearance, in the form of His real body, with no visible signs of the glory which had just been manifested in Him. A vision so great and wonderful is not now vouchsafed to men; but there is one way in which all may see Jesus, namely, in His Gospel, where we both hear Him speak and see His glory. And seeing, we shall believe, Joh 6:40.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
“And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. (7) And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. (8) And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.”
It is not to be wondered at that the disciples should be thus affected. God is awful, even in mercies. See how Israel was struck with fear on Mount Sinai. Exo 20:18-21 . But see, Reader, the tenderness of Jesus. He came and touched them, Precious Redeemer! how hast thou, by the assumption of our nature, opened a way of communicating mercies to us, and lessening our fears. And Reader! I pray you to remark, that the very first words Jesus spake to his disciples after God the Father had commanded them to hear him, was, be not afraid. And doth it not follow, from hence, that such is the love of God our Father to the Church; in Christ, and knowing that all love is in the heart of Christ towards his people, thus he commands concerning him. And God the Son, having taking our nature for the express purpose, manifests that his whole heart towards them is love. And God the Holy Ghost, from his everlasting love also to Christ, and his Church in him, takes care to make the whole effectual, in directing the heart of the redeemed into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Jesus Christ! Oh! for grace, under those blessed assurances, to possess such faith in Jesus, as may raise our souls above all fears, while conscious of an union with Christ, and acceptance in Christ. The sudden departure of Moses and Elias may serve to teach us, that none but Jesus can be our abiding comfort. everything here below is short and transitory. Oh! What a blessed thought it is. Jesus hath said, Lo! I am with you always. Mat 28:20 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
6 And when the disciples heard it , they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Ver. 6. They fell on their faces ] As amazed and amated with that stupendous voice that came from the excellent glory, as St Peter phraseth it, 2Pe 1:17 . So Moses and Elias hid their faces when God spake unto them, as not able to bear his brightness; rottenness entered into their bones. The very angels cover their faces before him with two of their wings, as with a double scarf, or as one claps his hands upon his face when it lighteneth and flasheth suddenly upon him. What a mercy it is then to us, that we are taught by men like ourselves; that we have this treasure in earthen vessels, this pearl of price in a leathern purse. Here lay the three disciples; and, had not Christ mercifully touched them and raised them, there they had lain for dead.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Mat 17:6 . , etc.: divine voices terrify poor mortals, especially when they echo and reinforce deep moving thoughts within.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
on. Greek. epi.
sore = exceedingly.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Lev 9:24, Jdg 13:20, Jdg 13:22, 1Ch 21:16, Eze 3:23, Eze 43:3, Dan 8:17, Dan 10:7-9, Dan 10:16, Dan 10:17, Act 22:7, Act 26:14, 2Pe 1:18
Reciprocal: Gen 17:3 – General Gen 28:17 – he was Exo 3:6 – hid Eze 1:28 – I fell Dan 10:8 – and there Luk 5:8 – Depart Act 7:32 – Then
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
17:6
Afraid is from PHOBEO and Thayer says the word in this place means, “to be startled by strange sights or occurrences.” The appearance of the two men from the other states did not overcome them, but this mighty voice and its announcement struck them with a feeling of awe so that they prostrated themselves on the ground.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 17:6. And when the disciples heard it, etc. Mat 17:6-7, peculiar to Matthew. The fear began when the cloud overshadowed the Lord and the two Old Testament saints (comp. Luk 9:34), but culminated at this visible and audible manifestation of the Fathers presence.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. The effect which this voice from heaven had upon the apostles, it cast them into a passion of horror and amazement. They were sore afraid, and fell on their face.
Learn thence, that such is the majesty and glory of God, that man in his sinful state cannot bear so much as a glimpse of it, without great consternation and fear. How unable is man to hear the voice of God! and yet how ready to despise the voice of man; If God speaks by himself, his voice is too terrible; if he speaks by his ministers, it is too contemptible.
Observe, 2. The person by whom the disciples were recovered out of these amazing fears unto which they were cast; namely, by Christ: Jesus came and said, Be not afraid. It is Christ alone who can raise and comfort those whom the terrors of the Almighty have dejected and cast down.
Observe, 3. The manner how Christ recovered them out of this passionate amazement, it was three-fold:
1. By his gracious approach, he came unto them. Christ will come with comfort unto his children, when they are disabled from coming to him with comfort.
2. By his comfortable touch; He came and touched them. Christ comforts believers by a real and close application of himself unto them. An unapplied Christ saves none, comforts none.
3. By his comforting voice, He said, Be not afraid. It is a word of assurance, that there is no ground or cause of fear; and it is a word of assistance. It is verbum operatorium: he that said unto them, Arise, Be not afraid, did by his spirit breathe life, and convey strength into their souls, to enable them to arise.
Observe, 4. The strict injunction given by Christ to his disciples, not to publish or proclaim this vision till after his resurrection, for two reasons:
1. Lest it should hinder his passion; for had the rulers of the world known him to be the Lord of life and glory, they would not have crucified him; therefore Christ purposely concealed his deity to give way to his passion.
2. Christ being now in a state of humiliation, would have his majesty veiled, his glory concealed, and consequently forbids that the glorious vision of his transfiguration should be published and accordingly charges his disciples, That they tell the vision to no man till he was risen.
As if Christ had said, Tell no man the things which you have seen; not the residue of the disciples, That they tell the vision to no man till he was risen.
As if Christ had said, Tell no man the things which you have seen; not the residue of the disciples, that they be not troubled, that they were not admitted to see with you; nor those believers which now follow me, that they be not scandalized at my sufferings after so glorious a transfiguration.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
17:6 And when the disciples heard [it], they {d} fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
(d) Fell down flat on their faces and worshipped him, as in Mat 2:11 .
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
This revelation had the same effect on Peter, James, and John that the revelation God gave the Israelites at Sinai did (Exo 20:18-21; Deu 4:33; Heb 12:18-21) and that the revelation God gave Daniel had on him (cf. Dan 10:8-12). When people see the glory of God revealed and realize that they are in His presence, they feel terror. The Transfiguration was mainly for the disciples’ benefit. Jesus brought the three disciples to the mountaintop, the Transfiguration happened before them, and the voice spoke to them. The disciples did not understand the significance of all they saw immediately. However, it was a revelation that God continued to help them understand, especially after the Resurrection (cf. 2Pe 1:16-19). Immediately it did give them a deeper conviction that Jesus was the Messiah. [Note: See James A. Penner, "Revelation and Discipleship in Matthew’s Transfiguration Account," Bibliotheca Sacra 152:606 (April-June 1995):201-10.]
"The purpose of the transfiguration was primarily confirmation. It confirmed several vital facts. One of these was the reality of a future kingdom. The very fact that the transfiguration took place attests this. The presence of Old Testament saints on earth with Christ in a glorified state is the greatest possible verification of the kingdom promises in the Old Testament. The reality of this kingdom is also evident from the connection of the transfiguration with the promise of Mat 16:27-28. The Son of Man was going to come one day to judge the world and establish His kingdom (Mat 16:27). As an earnest of the coming of the kingdom three disciples were permitted to see the Son of Man in His kingdom (Mat 16:28). This is exactly the manner in which Peter uses the transfiguration (2Pe 1:16-21)." [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., pp. 210-11. See also S. Lewis Johnson Jr., "The Transfiguration of Christ," Bibliotheca Sacra 124:494 (April-June 1967):133-43.]
Why did Jesus let only Peter, James, and John witness His transfiguration? Perhaps they were farther along in their faith than the other disciples. They were, after all, the core group of His disciples. Perhaps it was to avoid further misunderstanding among the disciples as a whole (cf. Mat 17:9).