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

MATTHEW 17:8KJV
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Matthew 17:8 (KJV)

What does Matthew 17:8 mean?

Matthew 17:8 describes how, after a remarkable vision, the disciples looked up and saw that only Jesus remained with them; everyone else had disappeared. This verse highlights that, in that moment, Jesus alone was present before their eyes.

Earlier, Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John up a mountain, where they saw Him transformed in glory and speaking with Moses and Elijah. After a voice from a cloud spoke, the disciples fell down in fear. When they looked up again, the vision was over, and only Jesus was left standing with them, signaling the end of the extraordinary experience.

The Greek behind Matthew 17:8

  • Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) — "Jesus": The Greek name for Jesus is used here, emphasizing His unique presence after the vision ends.
  • μόνος (monos) — "only": This word stresses that no one else remained except Jesus, underlining His singular importance in the scene.
  • ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon) — "man": The Greek word for "man" here is used in the sense of "anyone," making it clear that all others, including Moses and Elijah, were gone.

Why Matthew 17:8 matters

  • Matthew 17:8 makes it clear that the supernatural vision had ended, and the disciples were left with Jesus alone, grounding them back in reality after a moment of awe.
  • The verse subtly emphasizes Jesus’ unique role and authority, as even after seeing revered figures like Moses and Elijah, the disciples are left with Jesus as their sole focus.
  • This moment connects to the larger theme of the passage, where God’s voice had just affirmed Jesus as His beloved Son, directing the disciples to listen to Him above all others.

Where else these words appear

“up” Greek G1869 · used in 19 verses

  • Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
  • John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
  • Acts 14:11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

“only” Greek G3441 · used in 46 verses

  • Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
  • Luke 24:12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
  • 1 Corinthians 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

“eyes” Greek G3788 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
  • Luke 10:23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
  • Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

“save” Greek G1508 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 4:26 But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.
  • Romans 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.