As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them and said, “Tell no one about this vision until the Son of Man rises from the dead.”
Jesus commands the disciples to remain silent for a time about the vision of the transfiguration, because people would not yet understand its meaning until his crucifixion and resurrection had taken place. He wants his glory not to be viewed as a separate miracle, but to be understood within the context of the whole work of salvation. If the disciples told of the vision before the resurrection, the people could fall into confusion, expecting a Messiah with earthly glory rather than a crucified Savior. This command bears witness to Jesus’ wisdom, for he directs the timing and the order of events with precision.