Matthew 17:9 - As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
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What does "Matthew 17:9" mean?
This verse in Matthew 17:9 is a crucial instruction given by Jesus to Peter, James, and John immediately after the Transfiguration, a pivotal event in the Gospels. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The Transfiguration: The verse follows the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed his divine glory to Peter, James, and John. They saw him transformed, shining with heavenly light, and conversing with Moses and Elijah. This was a powerful, intensely spiritual experience that confirmed Jesus' divine nature and purpose.
"As they were coming down from the mountain...": This emphasizes the immediacy of Jesus' instruction. The experience was still fresh in their minds.
"Jesus commanded them...": This highlights the importance and authority of Jesus' request. It wasn't a suggestion; it was a direct order.
"...Don’t tell anyone what you saw...": This is the key part of the verse. Jesus is telling them to keep the Transfiguration a secret. There are several possible reasons for this:
Preventing premature Messianic expectations: The people's idea of the Messiah was often political and militaristic – a leader who would overthrow Roman rule. Sharing the Transfiguration could have fueled these expectations, leading to misunderstanding and potential unrest. Jesus needed to fulfill his role as the suffering servant first, not a conquering king.
Protecting Jesus from undue attention: At this point in his ministry, Jesus was still building his base of followers and establishing his teachings. Premature disclosure of his divinity might have drawn too much attention from the authorities (both Roman and Jewish), hindering his work.
The need for understanding the Resurrection first: The Transfiguration was a glimpse of Jesus' glory, but it wouldn't be fully understood until after his death and resurrection. Without the context of the Resurrection, the Transfiguration could be misinterpreted or simply unbelievable.
To allow for personal processing: The experience was overwhelming. Perhaps Jesus wanted them to process it themselves, allowing it to shape their faith without the influence of external opinions.
"...until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”: This is the critical time limit on the secrecy. Jesus makes it clear that the revelation of the Transfiguration should be withheld until after his resurrection.
In summary, the verse means:
Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John to keep the Transfiguration a secret until after his resurrection. This was likely to prevent misunderstandings about his messianic role, protect him from premature attention, and ensure the revelation was understood in the full context of his suffering, death, and triumph over death. The Resurrection was the key that would unlock the true meaning of the Transfiguration.
Matthew 17:9 - As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
What does "Matthew 17:9" mean?
This verse in Matthew 17:9 is a crucial instruction given by Jesus to Peter, James, and John immediately after the Transfiguration, a pivotal event in the Gospels. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: The Transfiguration: The verse follows the Transfiguration, where Jesus revealed his divine glory to Peter, James, and John. They saw him transformed, shining with heavenly light, and conversing with Moses and Elijah. This was a powerful, intensely spiritual experience that confirmed Jesus' divine nature and purpose.
"As they were coming down from the mountain...": This emphasizes the immediacy of Jesus' instruction. The experience was still fresh in their minds.
"Jesus commanded them...": This highlights the importance and authority of Jesus' request. It wasn't a suggestion; it was a direct order.
"...Don’t tell anyone what you saw...": This is the key part of the verse. Jesus is telling them to keep the Transfiguration a secret. There are several possible reasons for this:
Preventing premature Messianic expectations: The people's idea of the Messiah was often political and militaristic – a leader who would overthrow Roman rule. Sharing the Transfiguration could have fueled these expectations, leading to misunderstanding and potential unrest. Jesus needed to fulfill his role as the suffering servant first, not a conquering king.
Protecting Jesus from undue attention: At this point in his ministry, Jesus was still building his base of followers and establishing his teachings. Premature disclosure of his divinity might have drawn too much attention from the authorities (both Roman and Jewish), hindering his work.
The need for understanding the Resurrection first: The Transfiguration was a glimpse of Jesus' glory, but it wouldn't be fully understood until after his death and resurrection. Without the context of the Resurrection, the Transfiguration could be misinterpreted or simply unbelievable.
To allow for personal processing: The experience was overwhelming. Perhaps Jesus wanted them to process it themselves, allowing it to shape their faith without the influence of external opinions.
"...until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”: This is the critical time limit on the secrecy. Jesus makes it clear that the revelation of the Transfiguration should be withheld until after his resurrection.
In summary, the verse means:
Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John to keep the Transfiguration a secret until after his resurrection. This was likely to prevent misunderstandings about his messianic role, protect him from premature attention, and ensure the revelation was understood in the full context of his suffering, death, and triumph over death. The Resurrection was the key that would unlock the true meaning of the Transfiguration.