Matthew 17:8

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

And {G1161} when they had lifted up {G1869} their {G846} eyes {G3788}, they saw {G1492} no man {G3762}, save {G1508} Jesus {G2424} only {G3441}.

So they opened their eyes, looked up and saw only Yeshua by himself.

And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, save Jesus only.

Commentary

Context of Matthew 17:8

This verse immediately follows the extraordinary event of the Transfiguration on a high mountain, where Jesus took Peter, James, and John. They had just witnessed Jesus glorified, His face shining like the sun and His raiment white as the light, conversing with Moses and Elijah. Furthermore, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from heaven—God the Father Himself—declared, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." The disciples, overwhelmed by the divine presence, had fallen on their faces in fear. This verse marks the abrupt end of that profound spiritual vision, shifting the focus back entirely to Jesus.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Uniqueness and Centrality of Jesus: The most striking message is the singular focus on Jesus. Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) disappear, leaving only Christ. This signifies that the Law and the Prophets find their fulfillment and ultimate authority in Jesus. He is not merely one among many spiritual leaders or prophets; He is the culmination of God's revelation.
  • Divine Authority and Supremacy: The disappearance of Moses and Elijah after God's declaration to "hear ye him" underscores Jesus' supreme authority. The era of the Law and the Prophets points to Him, and now His voice is the one to be heeded above all others. This reinforces the command given moments before.
  • The End of the Vision: The verse marks the return to normalcy after a supernatural encounter. It highlights that while divine revelations can be awe-inspiring, the continuous walk of faith is with Jesus, not in perpetual supernatural phenomena.
  • Focus on Christ Alone: For the disciples, this experience was a powerful lesson. They were not to dwell on the glory of Moses or Elijah, or even on the miraculous vision itself, but on the person of Jesus Christ, who alone remained.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "save Jesus only" (Greek: ei mē Iēsoun monon) is highly emphatic. The word "only" (monon) stresses singularity and exclusivity. It's not just that others left, but that only Jesus remained, underscoring His unique and unparalleled position. This is a deliberate theological statement about Jesus' ultimate supremacy over all previous dispensations and figures.

Related Scriptures

  • This event is also recorded in Mark 9:8 and Luke 9:36, confirming its significance in the Gospel narratives.
  • The idea of Jesus being the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets is echoed in Matthew 5:17, where Jesus states He did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
  • The concept of Jesus as the sole way to God is a core New Testament teaching, powerfully articulated in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
  • The Apostle Peter later reflects on this incredible experience, affirming the reliability of the prophetic word in 2 Peter 1:18.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 17:8 serves as a powerful reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. In a world full of distractions, competing ideologies, and even spiritual experiences that can draw our attention away, the ultimate truth and salvation are found in Christ alone. This verse encourages us to prioritize His teachings, His person, and His finished work above all else, recognizing Him as the supreme authority and the focus of our faith and life. It's a call to simplify our spiritual walk by centering it entirely on Jesus.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 9:8

    And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

  • 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.

  • Acts 12:10

    When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

  • Acts 12:11

    And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and [from] all the expectation of the people of the Jews.
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