SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 17:6-13
Peter, James, and John fell down to the ground when they heard God speak, afraid. Jesus came and touched them. He told them to not be afraid. When they looked up again, everyone was gone except Jesus. Jesus told them to tell no one about his Transfiguration until he has been risen from the dead.
The disciples were confused again, so they asked Jesus why Elijah must come first. Jesus explained that Elijah has already come, but no one recognized him (meaning Elijah was in the work of John the Baptist).
BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 18, Day 3: Matthew 17:6-13
7a) Peter, James, and John fell down to the ground when they heard God speak, afraid.
b) Jesus came and touched them. He told them to not be afraid. He comforted them, cares about them, and understands their fear.
c) I think when I learned that not everyone went to heaven as a kid. I realized it was His will, and not mine. Also, when I learned as an adult the true meaning of Romans 1:20. We are responsible for our eternal salvation, not God. I still walk in his ways and understand a bit more every day.
8a) Malachi predicted Elijah (identified as John the Baptist by Jesus in this passage) would precede Jesus. Luke 1:17 says how John the Bapist will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
b) John the Baptist told everyone to repent and turn to the Lord. Yet, he too was persecuted, imprisoned, and then killed.
c) Jesus uses the present tense. “Elijah comes and will restore all things.”
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 18, Day 3: Matthew 17:6-13
What a moment! I wonder how I’d react if God appeared in a cloud to me? Everyone in the Bible is afraid. I wonder if I would be, too.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 18, Day 3: Matthew 17:6-13
Note it was when God spoke that the disciples fell on their faces. They were cool with seeing Jesus transfigure, two dead guys alive, and God appear in a cloud, but the second God spoke, they were afraid.
The Transfiguration is yet another confirmation of Jesus’s divinity that the disciples needed. Mankind constantly needs to be reassured.
It is significant and fitting that only Jesus remains. This is truth for all of us. Jesus is there always; others may come and go from our lives, but not Jesus.
Not many would believe the Transfiguration story, so Jesus did not want more people doubting him.
Now the disciples were confused since clearly Jesus came before Elijah since he had just appeared. First, Malachi was most likely referring to the Second Coming when Jesus would come a final time. Second, as Jesus explains, Elijah had come already in the work of John the Baptist who ministered in the spirit and power of him. (Luke 1:17).