17:1 - And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart,
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book II
were called wise by the Lord; and, in like manner, five were styled foolish. Again, five men are said to have been with the Lord when He obtained testimony[189]Tertullian On Monogamy
while, in the revelation of His own glory, He prefers, from among so many saints and prophets, to have with him Moses and Elias[72]Tertullian On Fasting
Deservedly, therefore, even while in the flesh, did the Lord show Himself to him, the colleague of His own fasts, no less than to Elijah.[42]Hippolytus Refutation of All Heresies Book VI
that in the similitude of an image He appeared who after the six days Himself ascended the mountain a fourth person, and became the sixth.[136]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
" according to Matthew and Mark,[227]
17:2 - And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Tertullian On the Resurrection of the Flesh
The Lord, again, in the retirement of the mount, had changed His raiment for a robe of light; but He still retained features which Peter could recognise.[427]Archelaus Acts of the Disputation with the Heresiarch Manes
and here, the Lord Jesus Christ shone like the sun,[533]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
And not only is He transfigured before such disciples, nor does He only add to the transfiguration the shining of His face as the sun; but further also to those who were led up by Him into the high mountain apart, His garments appear white as the light.[232]
17:3 - And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book IV
And for this reason did He [the Lord] confer with him face to face on the top of a mountain, Elias being also present, as the Gospel relates,[294]Tertullian A Treatise on the Soul
Now, not even to His apostles was His nature ever a matter of deception. He was truly both seen and heard upon the mount;[128]Tertullian Against Praxeas
Since, therefore, He reserves to some future time His presence and speech face to face with Moses-a promise which was afterwards fulfilled in the retirement of the mount (of transfiguration), when as we read in the Gospel," Moses appeared talking with Jesus"[162]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
but, according to Luke, "Moses and Elijah appeared in glory," down to the words, "in Jerusalem."[234]
17:4 - Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if you will, let us make here three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
Tertullian On Fasting
For the latter voice was uttering a threat to a fed man, the former soothing a fasting one. Such is the prerogative of circumscribed food, that it makes God tent-fellow[48]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
and Peter, as one loving the contemplative life, and having preferred that which was delightsome in it to the life among the crowd with its turmoil, said, with the design of benefiting those who desired it, "It is good for us to be here."[255]
17:5 - While he yet spoke, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear all of you him.
Clement of Alexandria The Instructor Book I
So that from this it is clear, that one alone, true, good, just, in the image and likeness of the Father, His Son Jesus, the Word of God, is our Instructor; to whom God hath entrusted us, as an affectionate father commits his children to a worthy tutor, expressly charging us, "This is my beloved Son: hear Him."[260]Tertullian Against Praxeas
the Father from heaven replies, for the purpose of testifying to the Son: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him."[311]Hippolytus Dogmatical and Historical Fragments
He has Himself made this clear, when He spake to His Father concerning the disciples, "The glory which Thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; that the world may know that Thou hast sent me."[228]Cyprian Epistle LXII
And that Christ alone ought to be heard, the Father also testifies from heaven, saying, "This is my well-beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him."[29]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
Likewise in the Gospel according to Matthew: "And behold a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him."[55]Pseudo-Gregory Thaumaturgus Fourth Homily
ture the Father of the Only-begotten, He who alone knoweth perfectly Him whom He alone in passionless fashion begat, to correct the erroneous imaginations of the Jews, opened the gates of the heavens, and sent down the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, lighting upon the head of Jesus, pointing out thereby the new Noah, yea the maker of Noah, and the good pilot of the nature which is in shipwreck. And He Himself calls with clear voice out of heaven, and says: "This is my beloved Son,"[22]
17:6 - And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Tertullian Against Praxeas
Peter, and John, and James, (who confronted not the same light) without risking the loss of their reason and mind; and if they, who were unable to endure the glory of the Son,[189]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XII
But after these things it is written that, when they heard the voice from the cloud bearing testimony to the Son, the three Apostles, not being able to bear the glory of the voice and power resting upon it, "fell on their face,"[264]
17:7 - And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book I
He asserts that the fruit of this arrangement and analogy has been manifested in the likeness of an image, namely, Him who, after six days, ascended[188]Methodius Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
Also, in another place, "The king sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burnt up their city."[109]
17:9 - And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
Origen Against Celsus Book I
For this great man did not perceive that it was not in keeping with Him who commanded His disciples on the occasion of the vision on the mount, "Tell what ye have seen to no man, until the Son of man he risen from the dead,"[89]
17:10 - And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
Was it to the scribes in regard to whom the disciples inquired and said, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must first come? "[37]
17:11 - And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things.
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
And likewise, by Elijah, in this place, I do not understand the soul of that prophet but his spirit and his power; for these it is by which all things shall be restored,[31]
17:12 - But I say unto you, That Elijah has come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
might be referred to the scribes, if the former were referred to them; but, if the former refers to Herod and Herodias and her daughter, the second passage will also refer to them;[39]
17:13 - Then the disciples understood that he spoke unto them of John the Baptist.
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
may be referred to the spirit of Elijah that was in John; as also the three disciples who had gone up with Him understood that He spake to them about John the Baptist.[28]
17:14 - And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
"[40]
17:17 - Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him here to me.
Shepherd of Hermas Vision Third
revelations than those which you have seen? "I answered and said to him, "Sir, one thing only I ask, that in regard to these three forms the revelation may be rendered complete." He answered me, "How long are ye senseless?[45]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
"[53]
17:19 - Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X
but among unbelievers not only did the powers not work, but as Mark wrote, "They could not work."[129]
17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If all of you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, all of you shall say unto this mountain, Remove behind to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book II
And faith is a power of God, being the strength of the truth. For example, it is said, "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard, ye shall remove the mountain."[109]Clement of Alexandria Stromata Book V
Such were the apostles, in whose case it is said that "faith removed mountains and transplanted trees."[8]Cyprian Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews
Also in the same place: "If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say to this mountain, Pass over from here to that place, and it shall pass over; and nothing shall be impossible unto you."[603]Recognitions of Clement V
He is the true worshipper of God, who not only is himself free from passions, but also sets others free from them; though they be so heavy that they are like mountains, he removes them by means of the faith with which he believes in God. Yea, by faith be truly removes mountains with their trees, if it be necessary.[21]Clementine Homily XI
For the Jew believes God and keeps the law, by which faith he removes also other sufferings, though like mountains and heavy.[5]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book X
And the Saviour, acknowledging the method of healing, says, "Who touched Me? For I perceived that power went forth from Me."[132]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
for not one mountain merely, but also several analogous to it, he removes who has all faith which is as a grain of mustard-seed; and nothing shall be impossible to him who has so great faith.[56]
17:21 - Nevertheless this kind goes not out but by prayer and fasting.
Tertullian On Fasting
for why should what is salutary be sad? He taught likewise that fasts are to be the weapons for battling with the more direful demons:[64]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
But let us also attend to this, "This kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting,"[57]
17:22 - And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
But when the Saviour said, "The Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill Him, and the third day He shall rise again," they were "exceeding sorry,"[80]
17:24 - And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Does not your master pay tribute?
Constitutions of the Holy Apostles Book II
as tribute, taxes, or poll-money, as our Lord by giving a piece of money was freed from disturbance.[213]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
Moreover to the saying, "They that received the half-shekel came to Peter,"[92]
17:25 - He says, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What think you, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
If, then, the Saviour inquires of Peter, saying, "The kings of the earth from whom do they receive toll or tribute-from their own sons or from strangers? "[88]
17:26 - Peter says unto him, Of strangers. Jesus says unto him, Then are the children free.
Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
and Peter replies not from their own sons, but "from strangers," then Jesus says about such as are strangers to the kings of the earth, and on account of being free are sons, "Therefore the sons are free; "[89]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIV
Then observe the accuracy of the Scripture, how that the one fell down and "worshipped," but the other fell down and did not worship but "besought; "[101]
17:27 - Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go you to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first comes up; and when you have opened his mouth, you shall find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and you.
Irenaeus Against Heresies Book V
This also the Lord confirmed, when He did not do what He was tempted to by the devil; but He gave directions that tribute should be paid to the tax-gatherers for Himself and Peter;[212]Clement of Alexandria Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?
Therefore on hearing those words, the blessed Peter, the chosen, the pre-eminent, the first of the disciples, for whom alone and Himself the Saviour paid tribute,[25]Victorinus Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John
), and thou shalt give it for me and for thee."[10]Origen Commentary on Matthew Book XIII
Matthew then, I think, wishing to make this plain, has subjoined to the words "that take"-the stater, to-wit-"and give auto them for thee and me," the words, "In that day came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? "[95]