Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 17:8

8 And when they had lift up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Mark saith no more then, And suddenly when they had looked round about, they saw no Man any more, save Iesus only with themselves. Such is the Majesty and Glory of God, that a Cloud will not so vail it, as a Man is able to behold any appearance of it, without some Consternation; something more than that Fear of Reverence, without which none ought to draw nigh unto him. Paul fell to the Earth, Acts 9.3. when a light from Heaven shone upon him. The Disciples here fell on their Faces, and were sore afraid. This lets us see the Goodness of God, in hearkening to the Peoples request, Exod. 20.19. Deut. 5.28. & 18.16, 17. and speaking to us by Men like unto our selves. By Moses under the Old Testament. By Christ (that Prophet mentioned, Deut. 18.15.) under the New Testament, and such as he Commissionated to declare his Will, Heb. 1.1.2. And Iesus came and touched them, and said, Arise and be not afraid. To deliver them from the Fear of a Spectrum, or Apparition, he toucheth them, and saith in Effect, It is I; be not afraid They look up and see the Excellent Glory, and the Cloud was withdrawn, as also Moses and Elias, and they and their Lord were left alone; and he goeth down from the Mountain with them, whether this Mountain was Tabor, or some other Mountain much nearer Cesarea Philippi, is of no Consequence for us to be satisfied in.