Matthew 17:1

¶ And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

And {G2532} after {G3326} six {G1803} days {G2250} Jesus {G2424} taketh {G3880} Peter {G4074}{G2532}, James {G2385}, and {G2532} John {G2491} his {G846} brother {G80}, and {G2532} bringeth {G399} them {G846} up {G399} into {G1519} an high {G5308} mountain {G3735} apart {G2596}{G2398},

Six days later, Yeshua took Kefa, Ya`akov and his brother Yochanan and led them up a high mountain privately.

After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

Commentary on Matthew 17:1 (KJV)

Matthew 17:1 serves as the introductory verse to one of the most pivotal events in the Gospels: the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ. This verse sets the scene, highlighting the specific timing, the chosen witnesses, and the significant location of this divine revelation.

Context

The phrase "And after six days" directly links this event to the preceding discourse in Matthew 16:28, where Jesus declared that some of His disciples would "not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." The Transfiguration is widely understood as the fulfillment or a powerful preview of this promise, offering a glimpse into Jesus' divine glory and future reign. Jesus deliberately selects three of His closest disciples – Peter, James, and John – to witness this extraordinary moment. This inner circle of disciples was often present for Jesus' most intimate and profound experiences, including the raising of Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37) and His agony in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). Their ascent "into an high mountain apart" emphasizes a deliberate separation from the crowds and everyday life, creating a sacred space for a unique encounter with the divine.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation: This verse prepares the reader for an unveiling of Jesus' true nature, moving beyond His human appearance to reveal His inherent glory.
  • Inner Circle Discipleship: The selection of Peter, James, and John underscores the concept of a deeper level of intimacy and revelation reserved for those who draw closest to Christ.
  • Preparation for a Sacred Encounter: The physical act of ascending a "high mountain apart" signifies spiritual elevation and the need for solitude and focus when approaching God. Mountains in biblical narrative frequently serve as sites for significant divine encounters, such as Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase for "high mountain" is oros hypselon (ὄρος ὑψηλὸν), which simply reinforces the literal height and symbolic significance of the location. The word "apart" (Greek: kat' idian, κατ' ἰδίαν) emphasizes the private and exclusive nature of this experience, suggesting that this was a special, secluded moment intended only for these specific individuals.

Practical Application

Matthew 17:1 reminds us of the importance of intentional preparation for spiritual encounters. Just as Jesus took His disciples to a secluded place, we too benefit from setting aside time and space to seek God without distraction. This verse encourages us to pursue a deeper relationship with Christ, understanding that drawing near to Him can lead to profound and transformative revelations of His character and glory. It also highlights the privilege of being part of Christ's inner circle, not necessarily in an exclusive sense, but in the sense of those who commit to following Him closely and are therefore prepared to witness His divine power and purpose.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Luke 9:28

    ¶ And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

  • Luke 9:36

    And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept [it] close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

  • Matthew 26:37

    And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.

  • Mark 5:37

    And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

  • 2 Peter 1:18

    And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

  • Mark 9:2

    And after six days Jesus taketh [with him] Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

  • Mark 9:13

    But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
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