Matthew 17 — “The Beloved Son Revealed: Glory That Leads Through the Cross”
Matthew 16 revealed the identity of Christ and the foundation of the Church.
Matthew 17 reveals the inner mystery of that Church: glory hidden beneath suffering.
The disciples have confessed Him as Messiah.
Now they are permitted to see Him as Son of God.
This chapter teaches one central truth:
The Kingdom is manifested in light, but entered through obedience and the Cross.
1. The Ascent of the Mountain
“And after six days Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart.” (Matt 17:1)
The mountain is the place of divine revelation.
God spoke to Moses on Sinai, to Elijah on Horeb, and now reveals His Son on the mountain of Transfiguration.
The Fathers saw in the “six days” a link to Sinai (Exod 24:16), where Moses waited six days before God spoke from the cloud.
Here, after six days, the disciples also enter the cloud of glory.
St John Chrysostom explains:
“He leads them apart, for the vision of glory is given only to those who ascend from earthly thoughts.”
(Homilies on Matthew)
Peter, James, and John represent the inner circle of apostolic witness.
They will also witness:
• the agony in Gethsemane
• the raising of Jairus’ daughter
• the confession of glory on the mountain
The same eyes must see both glory and agony, so that neither will destroy their faith.
St Leo the Great writes:
“They were chosen to behold His splendor so that the scandal of the Cross might not shake their hearts.”
(Sermon 51)
Thus the Transfiguration is medicine for future despair.
2. “He Was Transfigured Before Them”
“And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light.” (v. 2)
Christ does not receive glory — He reveals it.
The divinity always present in Him now shines through His humanity.
St Gregory of Nazianzus teaches:
“He was not changed into something else, but showed what He already was.”
(Orations)
The shining face recalls Moses, whose face glowed after speaking with God — but Moses reflected borrowed light.
Christ radiates His own.
St Jerome comments:
“Moses’ face shone from another; Christ’s face shines from Himself.”
(Commentary on Matthew)
His garments becoming white signify the sanctification of human nature itself.
Human flesh, once clothed in weakness, is now clothed in divine splendor.
The Transfiguration is therefore not only revelation of who Christ is —
it is prophecy of what humanity is destined to become in Him.
3. Moses and Elijah: Law and Prophets United
“And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.” (v. 3)
Moses represents the Law.
Elijah represents the Prophets.
Together they stand beside Christ to declare that all Scripture converges in Him.
St Augustine writes:
“The Law and the Prophets are not abolished; they converse with Christ, because they are fulfilled in Him.”
(Sermons)
Luke tells us they spoke of His “exodus” — His departure in Jerusalem.
Thus the glory of heaven discusses the suffering of earth.
This shows that the Passion is not an accident but the center of divine plan.
St Cyril of Alexandria writes:
“They spoke of the Cross, because salvation would not come through power but through sacrifice.”
(Commentary on Luke)
Elijah, who did not die, and Moses, who did, appear together — showing Christ is Lord of both the living and the dead.
4. Peter’s Desire to Remain
“Lord, it is good that we are here… let us make three tents.” (v. 4)
Peter speaks sincerely — but prematurely.
He desires glory without descent, rest without suffering.
St John Chrysostom remarks:
“He wished to dwell where Christ shone, but Christ willed to go where man suffered.”
(Homilies on Matthew)
The booths recall the Feast of Tabernacles, celebrating God’s dwelling with Israel.
Peter longs for permanent dwelling in glory.
But the Kingdom is not yet complete.
The Cross must come before the crown.
St Ambrose writes:
“Peter desired the reward before the labor, but Christ teaches that the path to glory passes through obedience.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy)
The vision is given not for escape, but for endurance.
5. The Overshadowing Cloud
“He was still speaking when a bright cloud overshadowed them.” (v. 5)
The cloud is the Shekinah — the divine presence that filled:
• Sinai
• the Tabernacle
• the Temple
St Bede writes:
“The cloud is not darkness but mystery; it reveals God while concealing Him.”
(Commentary on Matthew)
God is both seen and hidden:
revealed in the Son, concealed in majesty.
6. The Voice of the Father
“And a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.’” (v. 5)
The Father confirms:
• Christ’s identity — Son
• Christ’s authority — listen
• Christ’s mission — beloved servant
This echoes:
• Baptism (Matt 3)
• Psalm 2
• Isaiah 42
The command “listen to Him” transfers authority from Moses to Christ.
St Hilary of Poitiers teaches:
“The Law was given by servants; obedience is now due to the Son.”
(On the Trinity)
Revelation reaches its fullness here:
no further prophet will surpass Him.
7. Fear and Consolation
“When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces.” (v. 6)
Divine glory produces holy fear.
But Jesus touches them:
“Rise, and do not be afraid.” (v. 7)
The same hand that radiates light offers comfort.
St Leo the Great writes:
“He frightened them by His majesty and healed them by His gentleness.”
(Sermon 51)
When they look again, they see only Jesus.
The Law and Prophets fade; Christ remains.
8. The Silence Until Resurrection
“Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is raised.” (v. 9)
Without the Resurrection, glory would be misunderstood.
The Cross interprets the Transfiguration.
The Transfiguration explains the Cross.
St Gregory the Great comments:
“Light is shown first that suffering may not destroy hope.”
(Homilies on the Gospels)
9. Elijah and John the Baptist
“Elijah has already come… and they did to him whatever they pleased.” (v. 12)
John fulfills Elijah’s role.
Like Elijah, he confronts kings and is rejected.
The pattern of salvation is now clear:
Prophet rejected
Messiah killed
Glory revealed afterward
St Bede says:
“The forerunner suffers first so the way of the Cross will not seem strange when the Lord follows.”
(Commentary on Matthew)
10. The Demoniac Boy: Descent from Glory
They come down to human misery.
The boy is tormented.
The father pleads.
St Augustine writes:
“From the mountain of light He descends to the valley of tears.”
(Sermons)
The inability of the disciples reveals their immature faith.
11. “Faithless Generation”
Christ laments unbelief.
Yet He heals instantly.
Power flows from compassion, not irritation.
St John Chrysostom says:
“He reproves not the sick, but the unbelief that binds them.”
(Homilies on Matthew)
12. Faith That Moves Mountains
“Nothing will be impossible for you.” (v. 20)
The mountain is pride, doubt, and fear.
Faith uproots inner obstacles.
Prayer and fasting teach dependence.
13. Second Prediction of the Passion
“The Son of Man is to be delivered…” (v. 22)
Glory prepares them to endure sorrow.
Resurrection is promised.
St Leo explains:
“He foretells His death to prevent despair, and His resurrection to kindle hope.”
(Sermon 54)
14. The Temple Tax and the Coin
Christ is Son — yet pays.
The miracle reveals His lordship over creation.
St Jerome says:
“He who commanded the fish to bring tribute showed that He paid not as debtor but as master.”
(Commentary on Matthew)
Freedom submits to avoid scandal.
Christ in Matthew 17
Jesus is:
• the Radiant Son
• the Fulfillment of Scripture
• the New Moses
• the True Elijah
• the Suffering Servant
• the Resurrection to come
• the Humble King
• the Lord of the Temple
Spiritual Application
Seek Christ in prayer.
Accept both light and suffering.
Trust when you cannot see.
Listen to the Son.
Descend to serve.
Hope in resurrection.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
beloved Son of the Father and light of the world,
grant us eyes to behold Your glory
and hearts strong enough to follow You into suffering.
Teach us to listen to Your voice above all others,
to trust Your promises in darkness,
and to carry our crosses in hope,
until the day when faith becomes sight
and we behold You in glory forever.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 