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Galilee.

and he was transfigured before them,
and his face did shine as the sun,

Mark ix. 2.

Matt. xvii. 2.

tical and important-" This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." These words contain a declaration of the glorious nature of Christ, joined with an injunction to obey him-" Hear ye him :" i. e. Hear him alone; where there is a tacit contrast with Moses and Elias. Christ indeed came to confirm the law and the prophets; but he came in a character so transcendently elevated, that the twinkling sparks of the old covenant were absorbed in the blaze of his Gospel, sect. 33.

The sum and substance of the Gospel is contained in this concise declaration from above. We are herein told who and what He is, whom the Father appointed for the Saviour of the human race; His Only Son; the object of his love; dear beyond all created beings, sect. 34.

A most consoling truth; since the only Son of God, for our sakes, was consigned to such cruel tortures, and so dreadful a death, sect. 35.

Sequel.

Fear of the Apostles.-This might arise from the awful sound of the voice which they heard; but it was chiefly occasioned by visible symbols of the presence of the Divine Majesty, sect. 39.

They saw no one but Jesus only. It was not fit that Moses and Elias should remain on the earth any longer, as their ministry was not to be confounded and mixed with that of Christ and with the apostolic functions, sect. 42.

The Apostles were commanded by Christ not to divulge what they had seen till after his resurrection. The following reasons are assigned: Christ was at that time in his state of humiliation, and he ever conducted himself with a modesty. agreeable to that state; He therefore avoided every kind of display. The Apostles were not yet qualified to publish these things, by power given them from above. If they had done so, they would not have been believed by the Jews, until after a more public demonstration of his glory, in his resurrection and ascension, sect. 43.

The fidelity of the Apostles on this occasion is praiseworthy: although they disputed with each other what the resurrection from the dead might mean, yet they scrupulously observed the injunction of secrecy, sect. 45.

Such is the brief outline of Witsius' learned Treatise on the Transfiguration. He has omitted, however, to notice the peculiar circumstance related Mark ix. 15, that the people who beheld our Saviour coming from the mountain were amazed at his appearance. Doddridge agrees with the conjecture of Whitby, that it is probable our Lord's face shone with rays of glory, as the face of Moses did when he came down from the Mount. Pilkington likewise proposes the same idea, as if it was entirely his own. "I hope to be excused," he says, "in offering a conjecture to illustrate an expression in this section, which hath generally been passed over by the commentators without any remark. It is here said, that the people were greatly amazed, when they beheld Jesus coming unto them: and no satisfactory account hath been given of their surprise or astonishment; which, I am induced to think, proceeded from some rays of the heavenly glory, which yet rested on our Saviour, and were visible unto them. We cannot well read of the people being now greatly amazed at the sight of him, without recollecting what happened to Moses, when he had been more immediately in the divine presence ; that, at his return to the people, the skin of his face shone so, that Aaron and

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Luke ix. 29.

Mark ix. 3.

Luke ix. 30.

Luke ix. 81.

Luke ix. 92.

and glistering,

as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
And, behold, there talked with him two men,
which were Moses and Elias:

Who appeared in glory, and spake of his de-
cease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake,

the children of Israel were afraid to come nigh him, Exod. xxxiv. 30. And the reader may likewise observe, that the word ixlaμbioμat, which is here translated, 'to be greatly amazed,' is used by St. Mark, in another place, to signify, particularly, the being astonished and terrified at a glorious and supernatural appearance," chap. xvi. 5, 6.

In addition to these remarks, it must be observed, that there were traditions among the Jews, that Moses and Elias should return to earth during the reign of the Messiah.-Schoetgen, to prove this, quotes Debarim Rabba, sect. 8. fol. 255. 2. and Tanchuma, fol. 42. 1. Hora Hebraicæ, vol. i. p. 148.

It may be remarked here, that one Evangelist, in relating the transfiguration, states that Jesus went up into the mountain six days after the previous conversation, (vide the preceding section), and by another that it was eight days. This discrepancy is easily reconciled. St. Matthew marks the interval of six complete days; whereas St. Luke takes into calculation the day on which the conversation was held, and that likewise on which the transfiguration took place; making thereby eight days.

The sleep of Peter and the Apostles does not appear to be generally understood. Some suppose, that as St. Luke has mentioned this circumstance in the midst of his narrative, that the disciples were asleep during the time of the transfiguration, and while Moses and Elias were conversing with our Lord. The passage in St. Luke must be considered as in a parenthesis; and seems to imply, that the Apostles had fallen asleep most probably from fatigue, the difficult ascent, or, as others suppose, from the length of time in which our Lord continued in prayer. Whatever might have been the cause, they were certainly awoke from their lethargy by the celestial glory that surrounded them.

Bishop Hall, in his Contemplations, has also many admirable remarks on the subject of the transfiguration. He arranges his matter under the four heads: of Time, Place, Attendants, and Company. His devotional thoughts on the various particulars are eminently beautiful (a).

(a) Hall's Contemplations, Works, Pratt's London edition, 10 vols. 8vo. vol. ii. p. 374.-See also Porteus's Works, vol. v. lecture 15. Dr. Holmes also, late Dean of Winchester, the Collator of the Septuagint, in a sermon, preached at Oxford, 1777, has expressed the same opinions as those of Bishop Porteus.-Witsius Meletemata Leidensia, Diss. iv. de Glorif. in Monte, p. 215.-Whitby in loc. Doddridge, Fam. Expos. sect. 90 and 91.-Pilkington, Evan. Hist. notes, p. 85.-Schoetgen, Hora Hebraicæ, vol. i. p. 148.

Galilec.

e 2 Pet. i. 17.

they saw his glory, and the two men that stood
with him.

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Luke ix. 33. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, Matt. xvii. 4. it is good for us to be here: [and] if thou wilt, let

us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and
one for Moses, and one for Elias:

not knowing what he said.

Luke ix. 33.

For he wist not what to say; for they were sore Mark ix. 6. afraid.

• While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud Matt. xvii. 5. overshadowed them:

and they feared as they entered into the cloud;

Luke ix. 34.

and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, Matt. xvii. 5.
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well
pleased; hear ye him.

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on Matt. xvii. 6. their face, and were sore afraid.

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found Luke ix. 36. alone.

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Matt. xvii. 7. Arise, and be not afraid.

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they Matt. xvii. 8. saw no man, save Jesus only.

And-looked round about, they saw no man Mark ix. 8. any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

And as they came down from the mountain, Je- Matt, xvii. 9. sus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man", until the Son of man be risen again from

the dead.

And they kept that saying with themselves, Mark ix. 10. questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

23 The transfiguration of Christ was intended to reconcile the minds of the Apostles to the sufferings and death of Christ, and to remove the inveterate prejudices that prevailed among them, and the Jewish converts in general; 1st. With regard to his sufferings, which they conceived to be inconsistent with his dignity. And 2dly, with regard to the ceremonial law, which they were persuaded was not done away with by the Gospel, but that they were to exist together in full force, and to be equally obeyed. This prejudice continued for many years after our Lord's resurrection. St. Paul tells us, Acts xxi. 20. "several thousand Jews believed, and yet were all zealous of the law." And it was the suspicion that St. Paul had forsaken, and taught others to forsake Moses, which brought his life in most imminent danger, and actually occasioned his imprisonment, (Acts xxi. 28-36.) No wonder, then, that our Lord should impose silence on his Apostles at this period of his ministry, on the subject of the abolition of the law of Moses.-Bishop Porteus' Lecture, p. 65.

Luke ix. 36. And they kept it close, and told no man in those Galilee. days any of those things which they had seen.

Matt. xvii. 10.

Matt. xvii. 11.

Mark ix. 11.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why fch. xi. 14. then say the Scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias Mark ix. 12. Verily cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

Mark ix. 13.

But I say unto you, that Elias is indeed come, Matt. xvii. 12. already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.

Mark ix. 13. as it is written of him.

Matt. xvii. 13.

Matt. xvii. 12. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

MATT. xvii. part of ver. 1, 2. ver. 3. and part of ver. 11, 12.

1 Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John-and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them-and his raiment was white

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 11 -truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come

MARK ix. ver. 4, 5. 7. part of ver. 8. ver. 9. 11. and part of ver. 13.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

8 And suddenly, when they had

9 And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the Scribes that Elias must first come ?

13 and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed

28

29

33

LUKE ix. part of ver. 28, 29. 33, 34. and ver. 35.

he took Peter and John and James

and his raiment was white

Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles: one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Galilee.

SECTION XVIII.

The Deaf and Dumb Spirit cast out.

MATT. xvii. 14-22. MARK ix. 14—30. LUKE ix. 37part of 43.

And it came to pass that on the next day, when Luke ix. 37. they were come down from the hill, much people

met him.

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a Mark ix. 14. great multitude about them, and the Scribes questioning with them.

And straightway all the people, when they be- Mark ix. 15. held him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.

And he asked the Scribes, What question ye Mark ix. 16.

* Or, among with them?

yourselves.

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+ Or, dashetk him.

of the company,

one of the multitude,

and kneeling down to him,

Luke ix. 38.

Mark ix. 17.

Matt. xvii. 14.

answered and said, Master, I have brought unto Mark ix. 17.

thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit ;

Lord,

Master, I beseech thee, look upon my son:

have mercy on my son:

for he is mine only child :

Matt. xvii. 15.

Luke ix. 38.

Matt. xvii. 15.

Luke ix. 38.

for he is a lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes Matt. xvii. 15.
he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
And, lo, a spirit taketh him,

Luke ix. 39.

And wheresoever he taketh him, he † teareth Mark ix. 18. him:

he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that Luke ix. 39.
he foameth again,

and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away:
and bruising him hardly departeth from him.
And I brought him to thy disciples,
and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast
him out;

And I besought thy disciples to cast him out;
and they could not.

Mark ix. 18.

Luke ix. 39.

Matt. xvii. 16.

Mark ix. 18.

Luke ix. 40.

Mark ix. 18.

He answereth him, and saith, O faithless gene- Mark ix. 19. ration, how long shall I be with you? how long

shall I suffer you? bring him

Bring thy son hither

unto me.

Luke ix. 41.

Mark ix, 19.

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