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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - Matthew 17:5 - 17:5
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Mat 17:5. Ἔτι, yet) with but little delay.-λαλοῦντος, speaking) His speech had clearly not been suitable.-ἰδοὺ-ἰδοὺ, behold! behold!) Matters of great moment, one of the greatest revelations.-νεφέλη, a cloud) Human nature cannot bear the glory of God without admixture or interposition. Strong medicine is diluted with fluid. Sleep must be added; see Luk 9:32. Moses and Elias, however, were permitted to enter the cloud (ibid. 34): a great admission! The Divine majesty is frequently conspicuous in clouds.-αὐτοὺς, them) sc. the disciples; see Luk 9:34.-φωνὴ, a voice) A voice came from heaven, firstly, ch. Mat 3:17; secondly, at this central period; thirdly, and lastly, a little before our Lord’s Passion, Joh 12:28. After each of these voices from heaven, fresh virtue shone forth in Jesus, fresh ardour and fresh sweetness in His discourses and actions, fresh progress.-οὗτός ἐστιν, κ.τ.λ., This is, etc.) This speech has three divisions, which regard the Psalms, the Prophets, and Moses, from which they are derived[783].-Αὐτοῦ, Him) In contradistinction to Moses and Elias. This command, hear Him, was not uttered at His baptism; see Mat 3:17.-ἀκούετε, hear) It is the business of wayfarers rather to hear and publish what they have heard, than to see as Peter wished to do. The Father sanctioned all things which the Son had said of Himself as the Son of God; and what He was about to say even more fully, especially concerning the Cross. For the Father on this occasion bore witness Himself expressly concerning Him as His Son: concerning the Cross, His Son was to be heard more and more.
[783] Viz., “I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto Me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee.” Psa 2:7. “Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him; He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles,” Isa 42:1. “The LOUD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken,” Deu 18:15.-(I. B.)
And not long before his decease, Peter, in his Second Epistle, appealed to this very testimony which declared Jesus’ glory.-V. g.