←
Explanation for:
Matthew
17
:
5
And as he was yet speaking, behold a bright cloud overshadowed them. And lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: hear ye him.
11
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"Apollinarius of Laodicea","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":4,"exegesis-text":"The Father, in revealing the Son, manifests as a voice emerging from the cloud, resonating with a universal testimony. It must be understood that hearing God's voice is beyond human capability since the incorporeal cannot be perceived. Just as no one has ever seen God (Jn. 1:18), likewise, no one has ever heard Him. His words carry the weight of an authoritative command, as He specifies “Him” rather than Moses, signaling that it is indeed time to transition from mere introduction to the fullness of truth, moving from shadows to the reality they represent."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Due to Peter's unreasonable inquiry, he is not entitled to a reply from the Lord; rather, the Father responds in place of the Son, thereby affirming the word of the Lord: “I do not bear witness of myself, but the Father who sent me gives witness of me.” A radiant cloud descends and envelops them in its shade, providing those seeking a tangible covering of branches and linen with the protective shadow of the glorious cloud. Similarly, the voice of the speaking Father resonates from heaven, providing testimony to the Son and guiding Peter, who had strayed into misunderstanding; through Peter, He also addresses the other apostles, proclaiming, “This is My beloved Son; Him you must honor, and His word you must follow.” He is the Son, while they remain servants; even Moses and Elijah, alongside you, must prepare a dwelling place for the Lord within the deepest chambers of their hearts."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"When God proclaims warnings, He reveals a somber cloud, similar to what occurred on Mount Sinai: “Moses entered into the midst of the cloud, and ascended the mountain” (Ex. 24:18), and “there went up from it smoke as the smoke of a furnace” (Ex. 19:18). Likewise, the prophet described threats by saying: “the darkness of the waters, the clouds of the air” (Ps. 17:12). In this instance, however, since His purpose was not to instill fear but to instruct, it is a radiant cloud. While Peter suggested, “let us make three tabernacles,” the divine presence revealed the shadow of the unseen. Thus, there is smoke and the effusion of heat, yet here is indescribable light and sound. To ensure that the reference was not merely to one of the three, but specifically to Christ, the other two withdrew upon hearing the voice; for if it had been directed at any of them, with the others departing, only Jesus would have remained. Why then did the cloud overshadow all three instead of just Christ? If it had enveloped only Him, it might have been assumed that the voice originated from Him. Therefore, the evangelist clarifies that the voice came from the cloud, signifying it is from God. What does this voice declare? “This is my beloved Son”! If Jesus is indeed the beloved Son, then, Peter, do not be fearful; you should recognize His power and be assured of His resurrection. If you do not understand, find encouragement in the Father's voice. If God is omnipotent, as we believe, then so too is the Son. Consequently, do not fear the threats that loom before you. Even if you remain unconvinced, reflect on the fact that He is the Son, and the Son is the beloved: “This is my beloved Son”! If He is beloved, do not dread. Who would harm one they cherish? Therefore, be at ease; even though your love for Him is profound, it does not equate to the love of the Father, who is entirely pleased with Him. His love stems not only from His role as a Father but also because the Son is equal to Him in every respect and shares the same will. Thus, the basis of His affection is multifaceted: He is the Son, He is beloved, and all His goodwill resides in Him. What does it mean to say, “in whom I am well pleased”? It signifies, as if the Father declares, “In Him I find rest and delight”; this is so because He is in every way perfectly aligned with the Father, sharing one will with Him, and as the Son, He is in complete unity with the one who begot Him. “Hear Him,”—therefore, if He desires to be crucified on the cross, do not resist."},{"author-name":"Ephraem the Syrian","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88b589fc3e99eb7bb1839_Ephraem%20the%20Syrian.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Additionally, he was unaware of the implications of his words as he compared Christ to Moses and Elijah by suggesting the construction of tabernacles for them. Consequently, a divine voice from above clarified, saying, \\"This is my beloved Son,\\" so that they could recognize the distinction between the Lord and His servants. Yet, if Christ is indeed a foreign deity, why did Moses and Elijah engage in conversation with Him? Did Christ not summon Moses from death and bring Elijah down from heaven? Indeed, He brought them forth from the era of the Righteous. But if He forcibly brought Elijah down from heaven, then He cannot be the Good One, as that would mean He seized Elijah from the company of the Righteous to serve as a witness for Himself. Furthermore, if the Good One reached out to Moses without the awareness of the Righteous One and took him away, He would be guilty of theft because He retrieved from the grave and revealed the bones that the Righteous One had concealed from humanity (Deuteronomy 34:6). \\n\\nWhen a voice thundered from heaven proclaiming, \\"This is My beloved Son... Listen to Him,\\" where was the Righteous One during this event? Was He fearful and concealed Himself, avoiding the presence of the One? Or did the voice of this Stranger go unheard by the Righteous One? Yet, if legends suggest that he resides in the third heaven, and the Righteous One is also in heaven, how could this voice and its message bypass him? If he was aware, why did he remain quiet amidst this exalted declaration? \\"Hear Him, and you shall live.\\" Thus, whoever heeds the voice of another shall face death. Alternatively, it could be suggested that they reached an agreement among themselves, whereby at one moment one affirmed, \\"I am the Alpha and Omega; there is none before Me nor after Me,\\" while at another time, another proclaimed, \\"This is My beloved Son... Listen to Him.\\""},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"The encounter between Jesus and Moses and Elijah illustrates that the ancient prophets had conversations with Christ, albeit in a mysterious manner. In their overwhelming fear, the disciples collapse, yet the Savior raises them up, demonstrating that had He not taken on human flesh, interceded for humanity, and fortified our nature, He would not have been able to perceive God's voice."},{"author-name":"Leo the Great","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8913282004723ddef43ef_Leo%20the%20Great.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"A voice from the heavens declared: This is my beloved Son, in whom I take delight; heed His words. Through His message, I am revealed. In His lowliness, I am exalted. Thus, listen to Him with unwavering attention. He embodies truth and life. He is my strength and wisdom. Pay attention to Him whom the mysteries of the law anticipated, whom the prophets prophesied. Hear Him who redeems humanity through His sacrifice, who restrains the enemy and claims his captives, who shatters the chains of sin and the bonds of deceit. Follow Him who unveils the path to eternal life and prepares for you the ascent to His kingdom through the suffering of the cross."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"The cloud and the voice serve as confirmation of God's presence. It is recognized that God rides on the clouds—\\"Who, saith the Scripture (Psalm 103:3), made clouds His chariot,\\" among other declarations. When He expresses His wrath, darkness envelops Him, as it did at Sinai; yet now, in a moment of teaching, a bright cloud appears. The declaration, \\"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,\\" accompanies this moment. The Father had previously spoken the same words from heaven at the time of the Savior's baptism (Matthew 3:17), directed toward the gathered crowd then, but here primarily for the benefit of Peter. The voice of the Father seems to convey, “Why are you, Peter, fearful for Jesus? He is My Son, not merely a son like the ones made righteous through virtue, but the Beloved, the Chosen One, uniquely begotten, and the One in whom I find rest and delight, equal and akin to Me. Therefore, do not fear for Him; your love, however deep, cannot compare to Mine. My love for Him is founded on three pillars: as My Son, as My Beloved, and as the source of My peace and fulfillment. If you cannot trust in His strength, trust in Mine. No one so cherished leaves without valid reason. Listen to Him. Follow Him and heed His words and actions. Thus, if He chooses to face crucifixion, allow no one to obstruct Him, for you do not comprehend the depths of His divine purpose. Whatever He articulates or enacts aligns with My divine will. Therefore, heed Him, setting aside the law of Moses and the prophetic revelations, for Christ embodies the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, manifesting all that pertains to Him alone."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"You, Peter, long for constructed dwellings; however, the Father, by enveloping Me in a divine cloud, demonstrates that just as He, the Almighty, manifested to the ancients in a cloud, so does His Son. This cloud radiates light rather than darkness as seen in earlier times; for He intends not to instill fear, but to instruct. The voice emanating from the cloud signifies that He is sent from God. The phrase ‘in whom I am well pleased’ conveys the sentiment of ‘in whom I find rest and delight.’ Yet with the command ‘Hear Him,’ He conveys the message ‘Do not oppose Him, even if He is to be crucified.’"},{"author-name":"Symeon of Thessalonica","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c897e26d8de9e2f4f210fd_Symeon%20of%20Thessalonica.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":15,"exegesis-text":"He was gloriously ordained on the Mount of Transfiguration, where His radiance reflected the light of Divine Majesty as the Sun of Righteousness. Surrounded by a brilliant cloud that represented the Spirit always present with Him, the Father bore witness to Him, affirming that all His Father's grace rested upon Him. He highlighted the Son, the Teacher of the apostles, as the embodiment of His living Wisdom. The Father declared, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’ (Matthew 17:5), and additionally urged, ‘Hear Him,’ which emphasizes the importance of His teaching. Christ conveyed this truth to His disciples by stating, ‘He that heareth you heareth Me’ (Luke 10:16). Do you now recognize how He received His ordination from the Father through the Holy Spirit?"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As He continued to speak, a radiant cloud enveloped them; the prayer of the transformed Lord stirred the highest heavens, and an astonishing cloud of light emerged. This cloud represented the presence of the unseen God of compassion, reminiscent of the ominous cloud in the Old Testament symbolizing God’s judgement. The luminous cloud concealed the Lord Jesus and the two prophets from the sight of the fearful apostles. God the Father, in His hidden majesty, descended from His unfathomable heights, bending the heavens and adorning His indescribable light in a visible luminous cloud, declaring the divine nature of His only-begotten Son, who is one with Him. From the cloud, a voice proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” St. Chrysostom explains that God rests and rejoices in Him, affirming that His Son is perfectly equal to Him and united with Him in all things. He will establish His favor upon you as well; listen to Him, accept His words with reverence and humble faith, and do not oppose Him—even if He leads you to the cross, do not fear any peril. This is My beloved Son, and who would harm the one He loves? No matter the depth of your affection for Him, it cannot compare to that of the Father who begot Him. He will clarify the true essence of the Law and the Prophets, for He is the one of whom Moses foretold: “A prophet … the Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet from among your brothers like me.… Hear Him” (Deuteronomy 18:15). Remain loyal to Him as He remains loyal to Me, and He will make you My children through grace, for He is and will be the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). When this voice was heard, Jesus stood alone (Luke 9:36). On two significant occasions, at His baptism and at His transfiguration, the heavenly Father declared to the world that Jesus Christ is His beloved Son. On both instances, our Lord was deeply engaged in prayerful fellowship with His Father. His baptism marked the commencement of His public ministry aimed at saving humanity, while the Transfiguration signaled the beginning of the most challenging and humbling path in the eyes of the world, yet the most glorious in the sight of God, as He obediently ascended toward the Cross. Just as an earthly father blesses his son as he embarks on new endeavors, the heavenly Father also affirms His beloved Son as He steps into the new challenges of His earthly mission."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"A radiant cloud enveloped them, undoubtedly a wondrous cloud, as they found themselves within it. This extraordinary cloud serves as a symbol of God's unique presence; it can represent either the foreboding aspect of God, as in the dark cloud (Ex. 24:18, Ex. 19:18), or the benevolent aspect, represented by the bright cloud. Such a cloud, known as the shekinah, was a continual presence in the holy of holies (1 Kings 8:10, 11, Ezek. 1:4, Ezek. 10:4). The phrase \\"It overshadowed them\\" specifically refers to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, excluding the disciples, as the latter heard a voice calling out from the cloud (vv. 5, 6), indicating they were not within it. The voice from the cloud echoes that heard at Christ's baptism (see note on Matthew 3:17), adding the instruction, \\"Hear ye him,\\" which relates to the prophecy of Moses about a prophet who would come like him (Deuteronomy 18:15), thereby affirming that this prophecy is realized in Jesus Christ."}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
