Part 251

The verses give us an account of what is generally called our LORD’s _Transfiguration_; his being wonderfully changed, and his being wonderfully owned by his Father upon the mount. Some think that this was done upon a sabbath-day; and the particular occasion of our blessed LORD’s condescending to let his servants have such a sight as this, we may gather from the 27th verse. It seems our blessed LORD had been promising a great reward to those who should not be ashamed of him: “Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and of his Father, and of the holy angels.” In this threatening is implied, a reward to those who should not be ashamed of him: “But, (adds he) I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, who shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of GOD:” As much as to say, There will be a day, when I will come in the glory of my Father and of his holy angels; but I tell you there are some of my favourites; I tell you of a truth, though you may think it too good news, there are some of you that shall not taste of death, till ye shall see the kingdom of GOD. Some divines think, that this promise has reference to our LORD’s erecting a gospel church; and if we take it in this sense, it means that the Apostles, who were then present, some of them at least, should not die, till they saw Satan’s kingdom in a great measure pulled down, and the Redeemer’s gospel-kingdom erected. Some think it has a peculiar reference to _John_, who it seems survived all the other Apostles, and lived till CHRIST came; that is, till he came to destroy _Jerusalem_. But it is the opinion of Mr. _Henry_, of Bishop _Hall_, of _Burkit_, and others, who have written upon this passage, that our blessed LORD has a peculiar reference to the transfiguration upon the mount: “There be some of you here, that shall not taste of death, till ye see my transfiguration upon the mount; till ye see some glorified saint come down from heaven and pay me a visit, and consequently see a little of that kingdom of GOD, which ye shall have a full sight of, when ye come to glory.” This seems to be the right interpretation. If you will look to the margin of your Bibles, you will see the parallel place in _Matthew_, where the account of our LORD’s transfiguration is given, and there you will find it immediately follows upon this promise of our LORD.