Matthew 17:9

Vision. Gr. horama, “spectacle,” literally, “that which is seen.” Compare the Hebrew words chazon and mar’ah (see on 1 Sam. 3:1).

To no man. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him because they alone, of the Twelve, were prepared to receive what He had to impart to them (see on v. 1). Had they reported what they had seen and heard, it would have excited only idle wonder and curiosity, and could have served no good purpose at that time. The fact that they were to remain silent about it until after the resurrection implies that at that time the other disciples would be ready to understand, and that their faith would be strengthened by the account of the three who witnessed the event. Furthermore, having with their own eyes beheld two men over whom death had no power, these three disciples should have been prepared to believe Christ’s words concerning His resurrection (cf. Luke 9:31), and to impart faith and courage to their fellow disciples. Also, the fact that Jesus took the same three of them alone with Him into the Garden of Gethsemane to join with Him in prayer should have brought this lesson vividly before them again.