Matthew 17:6

And when the disciples heard [it], they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

And {G2532} when the disciples {G3101} heard {G191} it, they fell {G4098} on {G1909} their {G846} face {G4383}, and {G2532} were sore {G4970} afraid {G5399}.

When the talmidim heard this, they were so frightened that they fell face down on the ground.

When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown in terror.

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

Matthew 17:6 vividly captures the profound and overwhelming reaction of Peter, James, and John to a direct manifestation of God's glory during the Transfiguration.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic climax of the Transfiguration of Jesus on a high mountain. After witnessing Jesus' radiant transformation, the appearance of Moses and Elijah, and Peter's bewildered suggestion to build tabernacles, a bright cloud overshadowed them. From this cloud, the voice of God the Father declared, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him" (Matthew 17:5). This divine affirmation, echoing the voice heard at Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:17), was directed at the disciples. Their response—falling on their face and being "sore afraid"—is a natural human reaction to such an intense, direct encounter with the Almighty.

Key Themes

  • Divine Awe and Glory: The disciples' reaction underscores the immense power and holiness of God. A direct encounter with the divine presence is not merely impressive; it is utterly overwhelming, producing profound fear and reverence.
  • Human Frailty and Humility: "Falling on their face" is an ancient posture of submission, worship, and utter humility in the presence of a superior being or deity. It signifies their recognition of God's supreme authority and their own unworthiness.
  • Holy Fear vs. Terror: While the KJV uses "sore afraid," conveying intense terror, this fear is also a "holy fear" (phobos in Greek), an appropriate reverence and dread that acknowledges God's majesty and power. It's distinct from mere panic and leads to worship and obedience.
  • Confirmation of Jesus' Authority: The disciples' fear is a direct response to the Father's voice, which definitively identifies Jesus as His Son and commands them to "hear Him." This moment solidifies Jesus' unique divine authority in their minds.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "sore afraid" translates the Greek sphodra ephobēthēsan (σφόδρα ἐφοβήθησαν). Sphodra means "exceedingly, very much," emphasizing the intensity of their fear. Ephobēthēsan comes from phobeo, meaning "to fear, be terrified," but also "to revere, stand in awe of." This dual meaning highlights that their reaction was not just panic, but a profound, reverential dread in the face of absolute holiness. This kind of fear is a common human response to divine encounters throughout scripture, from Moses at the burning bush to Isaiah in his temple vision.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that encountering God's unadulterated glory is a profound and humbling experience. While we may not see a physical manifestation like the disciples did, we encounter God through His Word and Spirit. Our response should similarly be one of awe, reverence, and humility. It teaches us to:

  • Cultivate Reverence: Approach God with a deep sense of His holiness and majesty, recognizing His supreme authority in our lives.
  • Listen to Jesus: The Father's command "hear ye him" is paramount. Our ultimate posture should be one of obedience and attentiveness to the teachings of Christ.
  • Trust God's Reassurance: Just as Jesus immediately came and touched them, saying, "Arise, and be not afraid" (Matthew 17:7), God often provides comfort and reassurance after revealing His power. Our fear can be transformed into faith and trust through Christ's presence.
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.

  • Acts 26:14

    And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [it is] hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

  • 2 Peter 1:18

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

  • Daniel 10:7

    And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

  • Daniel 10:9

    Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

  • 1 Chronicles 21:16

    And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders [of Israel, who were] clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.

  • Acts 22:7

    And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

  • Ezekiel 43:3

    And [it was] according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, [even] according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions [were] like the vision that I saw by the river Chebar; and I fell upon my face.

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