Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 17:4

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here, if thou wilt, let us make here three Tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Mark adds, Ch. 9.6. For he wist not what to say, for they were afraid, Luke addeth, Chap. 9.30.31. who appeared in Glory, and spake of his discease, which he should accomplish at Ierusalem. But Peter, and they that were with him, were heavy with Sleep, and when they were awake, they saw his Glory, and the two Men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Iesus, Master, it is good for us to be here, &c.—not knowing what he said. So as the History seemeth [illegible: 1 letter]o be thus. After six or eight Days, Christ took Peter, Iames, and Iohn ▪ and went up into a Mountain, and Prayed, while he Praye[illegible: 2 letters] his Disciples fall asleep, Waking, they saw him with his Face shining gloriously, like the Sun, and his Garments white as Snow, and two Men talking with him about his Death and Passion, whom they (by Revelation) knew to be Moses and Elias. They were sore afraid, and Peter not well knowing, or considering what he said, saith to Christ, Master! It is good for us to be here. Let us make here three Tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, one for Elias. It is most likely, That Moses and Elias appeared in their own Bodies; as to Elias, there was no difficulty, for his Body was taken up to Heaven in a Fiery Chariot; for Moses, it is said, the Lord buried him in a Valley, in the Land of Moab, over against Beth Peor, but no Man knoweth of his Sepulcher to this Day, Deut. 34.6. The Devil and the Archangel had a dispute about his Body, Iude 9. it is very Probable, God raised up the Body of Moses, for this Transfiguration-testimony, That by the Law, and the Prophets, represented in Moses (the giver of the Law) and Elias one of the most famous of the Prophets, the Disciples might be confirmed in their Faith concerning Christ, as the true Messias, and also fortified▪ against the Scandal and Temptation of that Ignominious Death, which he was soon after to undergo; and that these three Apostles, being the highest Number of Witnesses, by the Law of Moses, to confirm a thing, might be judged Competent Witnesses of what they saw, and heard. Do not think Peters saying, Let us Build here three Tabernacles, &c. proceeded, from any Pleasure or Satisfaction that he had from this Glymps he had of the Divine and excellent Glory, for how could this consist with that fear, with which Mark saith, they were possessed? but that as Mark saith, He wist not what to say, or (as Luke) not knowing what he said. Which I take to be, as a reasonable, so the b[illegible: 1 letter]st excuse can be made for the Errors, and Weakness discovered in his Speech, as if Moses & Elias, or Christ could have dwelt there▪ &c.