Matthew 17:1

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 17:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:
Matthew 17:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And after six days, etc.] That is, so long after Christ’s conversation with his disciples at Caesarea Philippi, Peter’s confession of him, and the reproof he gave him, upon his intimating that he should suffer and die, and Christ’s resentment of it; after he had discoursed about his disciples taking up their cross, and following him; and of men’s losing and finding their lives; and after the promise, or prophecy, that he had given out, that some then present should not die, until he came into his kingdom. Mark says the same as here, (<410902>Mark 9:2) but (<420928>Luke 9:28) says, it was about an eight days after, which may be reconciled in this manner; Matthew and Mark leave out the day in…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“HEALING OF A DEMONIAC BOY--SECOND EXPLICIT ANNOUNCEMENT BY OUR LORD OF HIS APPROACHING DEATH AND RESURRECTION. ( = Mark 9:14-32; Luk 9:37-45). (Mat 17:14-23) And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them--Mark (Mar 9:30), as usual, is very precise here: "And they departed thence"--that is, from the scene of the last miracle--"and passed through Galilee; and He would not that any man should know it." So this was not a preaching, but a private, journey through Galilee. Indeed, His public ministry in Galilee was now all but concluded. Though He sent out the Seventy after this to preach and heal, He Himself was little more in public there, and He was soon to bid it a final adieu. Till…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Matthew 17:1-9. See also Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36. And after six days - That is, six days from the conversation recorded in the last chapter. Luke Luke 9:28 says, about an eight days after. Matthew mentions the six days that intervened between the day of the conversation and the transfiguration. Luke includes both those days, and thus reckons eight. Besides, Luke does not pretend to fix the precise time. He says, “about an eight days after.” Taketh Peter, and James, and John - These three disciples were with him, also, in the garden of Gethsemane, Mark 14:33. He designed to prepare them in an eminent degree for the work of the gospel ministry by the previous manifestations of his glory, and…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A high mountain - Probably Mount Tabor. Mar 9:2; Luk 9:28. Matthew 17:2”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:1 Peter . . . James and John later accompanied Jesus at Gethsemane (26:37; 2 Pet 1:16-19). • It is impossible to determine the exact location of this high mountain. The traditional site, Mount Tabor, is only about 1,900 feet (580 meters) high and is out of the way for a trip from Caesarea Philippi (Matt 16:13) to Capernaum (17:24). Mount Hermon, another possibility, is about 9,200 feet (2,800 meters) high and located in Syria, forty miles north of Capernaum. It is unlikely, however, that “teachers of religious law” (Mark 9:14) would have congregated at the foot of a mountain in Gentile territory. A strong candidate is Mount Meron, about 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) high and situated between…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“after: Luke, taking in both the day of the preceding discourse and that of the transfiguration, as well as the six intermediate ones, says it was eight days after. Mar 9:2-13; Luk 9:28-36 Peter: Mat 26:37; Mar 5:37; Luk 8:51; Co2 13:1 an high: Pe2 1:18 Matthew 17:2”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification