In Whom I am Well Pleased
Jesus is transfigured on the mountian that day right before the eyes of Peter, James and John.
Transfiguration of Jesus
Here it is surely symbolic of the divine presence. It is not clear whether we should understand the cloud as enveloping them all or whether this refers only to Jesus together with the heavenly visitants. But since the voice came to them from or “out of” the cloud, perhaps we should understand that the three disciples saw the cloud come upon Jesus and the heavenly visitants who were thus drawn into the immediate presence of God. Matthew’s characteristic and look (the third use of the expression in this vivid narrative) introduces the high point: first there were the heavenly visitants, now a voice from the cloud. He does not say whose voice it is, but the fact that it comes from the cloud, taken together with its reference to Jesus as my Son, shows plainly that it is the voice of God
Matthew does not say how it was made clear that This refers to Jesus, but clearly that is his meaning. The divine voice speaks of the Son as the beloved. This may mean “my own dear Son” (GNB), but more probably it is a messianic title; the Messiah is “the Beloved.” Matthew tells us (as the others do not) that the voice went on, “in whom I am well pleased,” which may well signify, “I take pleasure in him
At the very least it indicates warm approval and makes it clear that the Father is setting his seal of approval on the Son in his earthly mission. The heavenly voice concludes with the command, “listen to him” (cf. Deut. 18:15). His credentials are unrivaled; mortal people should take heed to all that he says.
Prostration (falling on the face) was characteristically used for taking up a lowly position before God or on occasion before a great man. It was a sign of humility and devotion. Fear is not infrequently used to denote a deep reverence before God, but it may also be used of fear generally
The three disciples were going through an awesome experience; it is not surprising that they were very frightened.
Matthew does not indicate why he did this, but the disciples had been through a very trying experience and one in which they had been on the frontier of the supernatural. The three had had a wonderful blessing, but they had evidently had a feeling of the uncanny as they had had this contact with another order of being, and this human touch must have been very comforting. They realized that the Master was still with them and that he felt for them. He told them to get up and stop being afraid.
Now that they did, they found that the wonderful experience was over; the heavenly visitants had gone, and so had the cloud. They were with Jesus himself alone. This puts the emphasis on Jesus and on the absence of anyone else. They saw that he alone was there, he and no other.