The Commands of Christ - Matthew 17:1-13

"Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, "Arise, and do not be afraid." When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead." And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist." -Matthew 17:1-13

To whom are these commands spoken?

Peter, James and John

What do these commands require?

Arise and do not be afraid. Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.

What truths do we learn here?

Jesus did not want this vision to be revealed until He had risen from the dead. I believe this is another instance that if people knew what had happened, they would have wanted to crown Him as their King right then and there. But most people, not even the disciples, understood that He had to die as the sacrifice for sin. Peter even said, "This will never happen to You!"

Jesus told things to this 'inner circle' of disciples that He did not tell the rest. It seems that He spent more time with Peter, James and John than the rest of the disciples. He spoke to Peter more than any other. Even in the number of disciples that Jesus had, it seems that He focused His time on just a few more than the rest.