A Brief Exposition of Matthew, Biblical commentary · Part · Chapter 17
CHAP. XVII.
After Christs transfiguration, to vers. 14. He healeth the lunatick, to vers. 22. Fore-telleth his own passion, and payeth tribute.
Ver. 1. ANd after six dayes, Iesus taketh Peter, Iames and Iohn his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart.
HOwsoever the last verse of the former chapter is not altogether fulfilled in this transfiguration of Christ, yet is it some earnest of performance of the promise there made; for by this glance of Christs glory, they had evidence how glorious he should be, in the morefull manifestation of his Kingly power and Majesty; He chooseth witnesses, not all, but some, and these in a sufficient number, three; the same whom he was to make witnesses of his agony in the garden therafter, Peter Iames, and Iohn: and these he takes apart into an high mountain: that being separate and set above distractions, they might attend the vision without interruption. Doct. 1. Our Lord will not use all his servants alike familiarly; but some, such as he pleaseth, he will make in some cases more intimate, for here he chooseth only three to see his glorious transfiguration. 2. Such as he minds to acquaint most with his sufferings, he will readily acquaint most with his glory, for their incouragement and preparation; for these three are they who are made witnesses hereafter of his agony in the Garden; Peter, Iames and Iohn.
Ver. 2. And was transfigured before them, and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
In the transfiguration, the Lords glory appeareth in three things. The first is, the alteration of the naturall obscurity of his flesh, into a glorious shining brightnesse, flowing from the in-dwelling of the God-head in him; in so farre, that the darknesse of his …aiment is swallowed up in this light, springing through the same, so as it made his raiment appeare white as light. Hence learn, 1. Where the Lord pleaseth to let forth his glory, it is able to beautifie our earthly and obscure bodies, as this transfiguration, far transcending Moses his face shining, giveth evidence. 2. Glorification taketh not away the substance, nor naturall properties of the body; for here is a glorious transfiguration, but no abolition of the substance of Christs body.
Ver. 3. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
The second point of Christs glory, is the apparition of Moses and Elias, whether in their owne proper bodies, resumed for a time, or in bodies formed for the present purpose, to be laid down again as garments, it is not materiall to inquire; for either this or that was alike easie to the Lord: and presuppose their bodies had been raised, and laid down again in dust, yet wherein soever Moses and Elias could be serviceable to their Redeemers glory, it was not their trouble or loss, but their advantage; The main matter which we have to learn, is, 1. That Moses and Elias, and so all the prophets are Christs servants and witnesses unto him, all of them agreeing in one with him. 2. That the dead in the Lord are not perished, but live with God in heaven; for, Moses and Elias are seen here, kept therefore.
Vers. 4. Then answered Peter, and said unto Iesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three Tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
The effect of this glorious vision ravisheth so the hearts of the three apostles, that they could have taken this estate for heaven: Hence learn, 1. How joyful the sight of glorified persons shall be. 2. The sight of the least part of the glory in heaven, so ravisheth the soul, that it forgetteth all that is on the earth, and is so satisfactory, that a soul could rest on the least degree thereof, as in a heaven; for, It is good to be here, saith Peter. 3. It is our nature, if it be well with our selves, not to care for others, little mind had the Apostles what need others had of their service, when they could have stayed still on the mount.
Verse 5. While hee yet spake, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him.
The third point of Christs glorification, is, the testimony of the Father concerning his Son Jesus, which Peter could never forget again, 2 Peter 1.17. First, they see a bright cloud, then they hear a voyce out of the cloud (for we are not able to behold him as he is, and must not pry into his glory, which is unsearchable, but must take heed unto what he revealed by the eare: a Voice, of his Word must reveal God unto us) and that which is here revealed concerning Christ, is, 1. That the Man Christ is true God; the Son of God, one in substance with the Father; for, This is my Son, saith the Father. 2. That as he is incarnate, going about the work of Redemption, and presenting himself Mediator for us, to satisfie God in all things about us, he is Beloved, accepted, approved as satisfactory and rested upon for our behove, In whom I am well pleased, saith the Father. 3. That we are to take him fo… our Teacher and Commander, to beleeve and obey Him; for the Father hath said to us all, Hear him.
Ver. 6. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
This voyce was so full of Majesty, proceeding from the excellent glory, that the disciples fel down. Doct. 1. When the God-head of the Father, or of Christ is manifested, who can stand before his Majesty? No wonder they fel on their face, the presence of the Lord in this life, even in mercy reveiled, is very fearfull; for it is said, They were sore afraid, such is his glory, and our weakness.
Ver. 7. And Iesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Thus lay the Apostles as dead men till Christ came, and put strength and comfort in them. Doct. It is Christ by whom we are lift up when we fal, and confirmed against our fears; for the disciples did not stir, till he touched them, and said, Be not afraid.
Ver. 8. And when they had lift up their eyes, they saw no man, save Iesus only.
That we may know that the voice was spoke of Jesus, and concerned him alone, he alone is left with the disciples, and now the vision is removed, when the intent of it is obtained. Doct. The Lord measureth the means of manifesting himself, as he seem fit for our good; for, When they lifted up their eyes, they saw none but Iesus only.
Ver. 9. And as they came down from the mountain, Iesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, untill the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
The discharging of the disciples to shew the vision until the resurrection, teacheth us, that the Lord hath his own set-time, when he wil make use of what he revealeth to his servants, and will bring forth every truth in his own time, when it may be most useful; Therfore saith he, Tell no man, till the Son of man be risen from the dead.
Ver. 10. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the Scribes that Elias must first come?
Upon the departure of Elias, and the discharge of revealing the vision, the three Disciples do move a question, about the Prophesie of the coming of Elias, which the Disciples do think to be now accomplished; and that by his staying still, it might have appear'd to the world to be accomplished: But Christ sheweth that that prophesie was accomplished another way, in John Baptist. Doct. 1. What doubts do arise unto us about Scripture, among other means, let us by prayer crave solution of them through Christ, as the Disciples here asked him about Elias. 2 The adversaries of Christ are ready to blindfold themselves, and others also, by mistaking Scriptures, like these Scribes, who wil not acknowledg Christ to be come, Til Elias come, to wit, in their way.
Ver. 11. And Iesus answered and said unto them, Elias truely shal first come, and restore all things:
12. But I say unto you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they lifted: likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Our Lord did answer, that indeed the Scripture must be accomplished, & not a letter fail; for, Elias, saith he, truly shal first come, and that when John Baptist came, this Scripture concerning the coming of Elias was fulfilled, because when John Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elias, Elias in a manner was revived; for as Elias set himself to the reformation of Religion, when all was wrong in his time; so John Baptist, when the whole frame of Religion was marred, by the corruption of the Jewish Doctors, did renew the doctrine and worship again: Doct. 1. The fulfilling of the Scriptures may readily be mistaken of men; for, when that which is foretold is done before their eyes, they wil not see it; for, Now Elias is come, and they knew him not. 2. The world instead of receiving Gods Messengers, as becometh, are ready to abuse them, as they please; Therefore saith he, They have done to him what they listed. 3. As men do deal with Christs Servants, so would they deal with Christs self, if they were able, and could get occasion; for, Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them, saith Christ.
Ver. 13. Then the Disciples understood that he spake unto them of Iohn the Baptist.
By this speech the Apostles take satisfaction, and stumble no more at this doubt. Doct. Albeit our Lord do not answer mens doubts and questions in so many letters and syllables, yet he will make his own disciples understand the solution of their questions, and what is his meaning; His inquisitive Scholers shall be taught what is needful for them to know, as here Christs speech doth satisfie his Disciples; for it is said, Then they understood, &c.
Ver. 15. And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certaine man, kneeling down to him and saying,
15. Lord have mercy on my son, for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for oft times he falleth into the fire, and oft in the water.
16. And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
Concerning the healing of the lunatick: Learn, 1. It is a fit time for the Lord to shew his power most, when he may have mainest witnesses, and most glory in his working; as here, he trusseth the healing of the lunatick, with his coming to the multitude. 2. The soul which beleeveth in Christ, as it findeth its need pressing, so will it go speedily to Christ, so will it humbly and earnestly seek help of him, as the Lunaticks father doth: 3. The misery of a soule left unto Satan, is great, who out of malice, if he can, will vex the man who is in his power; as, the poore child was vexed in fire and water. 4. Christ doth reserve some benefits to be conferred immediatly by himself, and in this case second Means and instruments (although they be imployed) do fail; as here it falleth out, I brought him to thy disciples, but they could not heal him, saith the childs Father.
Ver. 17. Then Iesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shal I be with you? how long shal I suffer you? Bring him hither to me.
This sharp rebuking both of the mis-beleeving Jews, and also of the Apostles, for depriving themselves of the use of the gift of miracles by their unbeliefe, teacheth, 1. That nothing grieveth our Lord more then peoples mis-belief, for this obstructeth all the blessings which are appointed to come by faith; Therefore he upbraideth the multitude, and his Disciples among the rest, with this sharp rebuke, O faithless generation. 2. The longer that Christ hath offered himself to a people or person, and the more patience he hath shown towards them; the more he is provoked by their mis-belief to reject them, and depart from them; therfore saith he, How long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? 3. He is not so angry, as any passion can move him to forget to be mercifull to the miserable; for incontinent he saith of the poor Boy, Bring him hither to me.
Verse 18. And Iesus rebuked the divell, and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
At a word our Lord delivereth this distressed soul. Doct. 1. How strong soever, and how long soever Satans possession be in a soul, Christ can cast him out quickly; as here, Iesus rebuked the divel. 2. Christ is a perfect Physician, he can so cast out Satan, and remove a plague, that the party afflicted shall be no more molested, as here, The divel departed out of him, and the child was cured from that very hour.
Ver. 19. Then came the disciples to Iesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
The disciples are ashamed, and privily do aske the cause of their ill success. Doct. 1. It is reasonable that we be ashamed of our mis-beliefe, as the Disciples were when they came to Christ, in the house privately, and apart. 2. Chastisements are then best made use of when they send men to search the sins which have drawn them on; as here, Why could not we cast him out? say they.
Ver. 20. And Iesus said unto them, Because of your unbeliefe: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard-seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be unpossible unto you.
From Christs answer learn, 1. That Unbelief may be lurking, till it be brought forth in trial, and not being observed timou…ly by ourselves, nor repented of in secret, may be brought forth before others, to our shame openly, and so we chastised for it, as the disciples were, to whom Christ answereth, Because of your unbelief. 2. Unbelief, and other unrepented sins, may mar the exercise of most excellent gifts; for the Apostles could not cure this child, Because of their unbelief. 3. The least measure of the faith of miracles being put to work, upon the warrand of Gods word, if it be purged from unbelief, and from secure and carnall confidence, and be put forth in the own vigour, (as the least graine of Mustard-seed doth put forth the sharpnesse, taste, and smell of its own kind) it is able to effectuate the greatest works, and to overcome the greatest difficulties; put the case they seemed as impossible as the removing of mountaines; Therefore saith he, If ye have faith, &c. 4. The same may be said of saving faith also, it being put to work upon the warrand of Gods word, to mortifie some lust, or to grow in some vertue, it shall be able to overcome all difficulties: The reason is, Because nothing is impossible to God, who when he passeth his word unto the Believer, will not fail to performe what he hath promised, whether it be in an extraordinary, or an ordinary way; for it is said, nothing shall be impossible to you.
Ver. 21. Howbeit this kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.
Christ giveth another reason of their not being able to cure the child. Doct. 1. There is a difference of the power of divells, and there are differences of exercises of poor souls by them; for here is a kind most violent. 2. When we find Satan strong and violent, and not yeelding ground to us, when he is opposed▪ or set upon by us, then must we set an edge upon our faith by prayer, and an edge upon our prayer, by fasting and separation of our selves unto the exercise of prayer; for, this kind is not cast out but by prayer and fasting, saith he.
Ver. 22. And while they abode in Galilee, Iesus said unto them, The Son of man shall bee betrayed into the hands of men.
23. And they shal kil him, and the third day he shal rise again▪ and they were exceeding sorry.
There is another warning of the Disciples, concerning the cross and sufferings of our Lord, and of his resurrection. Hence learn, 1. That there is need to guard well against the scandall of the cross of Christ, before the crosse come, lest we stumble when unexpected troubles shall follow Christs cause; therfore said he, The Son of man must be betrayed. 2. The best guard against troubles, is, to look to Gods appointment, and foretelling of the crosse, and to look to the resurrection, and out-gate promised; therfore Christ saith, The third day he shall rise again. 3. We are inclined to be more moved with the grief of the cross, then to be comforted and encouraged by the glorious out-gate of it; for, Now They were exceeding sorry.
Ver. 24. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money, came to Peter and said, Doth not your Master pay tribute?
25. He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Iesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26. Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Iesus saith unto him, the… are the children free.
27. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up: and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of mony, that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
In this history of Christs paying tribute: Learn, 1. That tribute is due to Magistrats for their publick service, this is imported in, Doth your Master pay tribute? 2. Christ is no unfriend unto Magistrats and Rulers, nor any wayes a hinderer of paying any thing due unto them: for Peter affirmeth that Christ payed ordinarily. 3. He wil not exempt his Ministers or Followers from the common civil duties wherunto other subjects are lyable; Therfore he saith to Peter, What thinkest thou? &c. 4. Christ by no ordinary course of Law was subject unto any power under heaven: for as Kings sons are naturally free from tribute, so is the Son of God naturally free also, for he is the Heir and Owner of all things; for as every King and his native children are naturally free from the burdens proper unto the subject, so is God the Father, and his native Son Christ, coeternall with the Father, naturally also free from all things which the creatures can impose upon him. What King is he, who will subject Gods Son unto him? Therfore Christ said, That Kings children are free, of all whom he was the chief. 5. Howsoever Christ was the rich Heir of Heaven and Earth, as of his own workmanship, yet for our cause he voluntarily subjected himself, and became poor, that he might make us rich; for he had no mony to pay his tribute. 6. As in matters of civil losse, Christ did dispense with his own right civill, and subjected himself to pay tribute, which he was not bound to do, so must his servants do: and not only must they pay tribute, which is their due by civil obligation, but rather then they mar the Gospel, and breed scandall, they must bear burdens, which civilly they are not bound to bear. 7. Christ was never so far abased at any time, but the glory of his God-head might have been seen breaking forth in the mean time, or shortly after, lest his humiliation should at any time prejudice his glory at our hands; as here at the time when he doth subject himself to pay tribute, at the same time he sheweth himself Lord of all the creatures, who can make the most wild of them to come to his angle, and bring mony with them in their mouth unto him; as here he giveth evidence, in this fish which Peter catcheth.