Why did Jesus tell the disciples not to tell anyone of the experience they had on the mountain at His transfiguration? Nancy Trimble
Jesus Christ told his apostles to refrain from disclosing to others about the Transfiguration before his death, burial and resurrection. “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” (Matthew 17:9; Mark 9:9). Evidently, the Transfiguration initially provided needed reassurance to the Lord’s closest disciples respecting his Messiahship. Secondarily, the Transfiguration through those apostles who witnessed it later would provide evidence of our Lord’s Messiahship to others as well.
This vision was designed particularly to confirm them in the truth that he was the Messiah. While he was with them it was unnecessary that they should relate what they had seen. When he was crucified they would need this evidence that he was the Christ. Then they were to use it. There were three witnesses of it as many as the law required (Deut 17:6; Heb 10:28), and the proof that he was the Messiah was clear. Besides, if they had told it then, it would have provoked the Jews and endangered his life. His time was not yet come. (Barnes)
Thought provoking and probably accurate, Wycliffe noted: “Apparently not even the other apostles were to be informed at this time.” Another commentator provides another reason that Jesus may have delayed the announcement to others by the witnesses of His Transfiguration. “Even they themselves did not yet understand what they had seen. Still less could they, in present circumstances, make others understand. All was plainer after Christ had died, risen, and had ascended to glory. The time had not come to proclaim the mystery of the Sonship to the world” (Johnson).
