" to depart from life is the common lot : but to fulfil his decease or departure from the world, was peculiar to Christ, because His death was the grand subject of prophecy, and the event upon which the salvation of the world was suspended."
32. — [Were heavy with sleep.] Let it be noted, that the very same disciples who here slept during a vision of glory, were also found sleeping during the agony in the garden of Gethsemane.. Flesh and blood does indeed need to be changed before it can enter heaven ! Our poor, weak bodies can neither watch with Christ in His time of trial, nor keep awake with Him in His glorifica- tion. Our physical constitution must be greatly altered before we could enjoy heaven.
[When they were awake, they saw.] It is evident that they awoke before the vision was over, and saw and heard much of what happened.
33. — [It is good for us to be here.] There is doubtless much to be blamed in this expression of Peter's ; — partly because he placed Moses and Elijah on a level with his divine Master, and partly because he would fain have tarried in the mount, and kept his Master there when there was work to be done in the world. The comment of St. Luke, " not knowing what he said," is a gentle hint that his wish was not commendable, but blameworthy. Nevertheless we cannot but admire the outburst of Peter's delight -when he saw his Master surrounded with such glory, and with such glorified companions. It was the outburst of a truly burn- ing heart. Archbishop Usher remarks, " When Peter saw Moses and Elias with Christ in His transfiguration, though he had but a glimpse of glory, yet he says, ' It is good for us to be here.' But Oh ! how infinitely good will it be to be in heaven. How shall we then be rapt up with glory, when we shall be for ever with the Lord!"
35. — [Hear him.] There can be no doubt that this expression was meant to point to the prophecy of Moses in Deuteronomy, where Moses says of the prophet like unto himself, " Unto him shall ye hearken," (Deut. xviii. 15.) and that under so great a penalty that all who refused should be " destroyed from among the people."
Calvin remarks, " We are placed under His tuition alone, and commanded fr^m Him alone to seek the doctrine of salvation, to depend upon and listen to One — to adhere to One— in a word, as the terms import, to hearken to One only."
36. — [Jestu was found ahne.] The disappearance of Moses and Elias, together with the words, " Hear him," were doubtless meant to teach that the law of ceremonies was about to pass away, and that the true Lamb of God and true prophet was come.