Expository Thoughts (continued)
to pray. When he is to start his great work of exaltation in his transfiguration, he went up the mountain to pray. He was taken up from his knees to both. O noble example of piety and devotion to us."
30. Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the law, and Elijah the prophets. Both unite in acknowledging and recognizing Christ, about whom the law and the prophets testify.
It is also highly probable that they were meant to be types and emblems of the saints who will appear with Christ in glory at his second coming. Moses is the type of those who are dead and will be raised at the Lord's coming. Elijah is the type of those who are alive and are caught up to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
31. His departure. This expression is remarkable. Literally it means his "exodus." It is used by St. Peter to speak about his own death (2
Peter 1:15). It is also remarkable that in Acts 13:24 we have a Greek word used for our Lord's "coming" to take the office of a Savior which might be translated literally his "entrance." Both expressions are singularly applicable to him who came into the world and was made flesh and after doing the work he came to do left the world and went to the Father. The beginning of his ministry was a coming or an entrance, his death an exodus or departure.
32. Were very sleepy. The same disciples who slept during a vision of glory were also found sleeping during the Savior's agony in the garden of Gethsemane. Flesh and blood does indeed need to be changed before it can enter heaven.
33. "It is good for us to be here." Archbishop Usher remarks, "When Peter saw Moses and Elijah with Christ in his transfiguration, though he had but a glimpse of glory, yet he says, 'It is good for us to be