Yes, for this voice from above breaks down Peter’s earthly focus, showing him what the event is about. The shining cloud was the actual climax of the experience, showing that no tents (see Matthew 17:5) were needed, for God’s presence overshadowed Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—not the disciples, who, outside the cloud, only heard the voice, which is why Jesus later came to them (see Matthew 17:7). The word behold in Matthew 17:5 shows the amazing nature of the event. The voice from the cloud shows that this was a revelation of God’s majesty. God cannot be seen; even on Sinai he spoke from the cloud. The voice says the same as had been spoken at the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:17, with only the command listen to him
being added. This command also shows that the whole event was for the apostles—not for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. God spoke from the bright cloud, interrupting Peter, to strengthen and confirm the faith of the three disciples, by basically saying what was in Peter’s confession (Matthew 16:16), so the audible voice from above confirmed the inner voice of the heart (Matthew 16:17). The word recalls the Son of God in Psalm 2:7 and the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah 42:1, confirming that Jesus is the Messiah.
Yes, for this revelation of the glory of God from above breaks down Peter’s earthly-minded attitude, showing him what the transfiguration on the mountain is all about.1 The appearance of the shining cloud was the actual climax of the experience on the mountain. It reveals that Peter’s suggested tents (see Matthew 17:5) were not necessary, for God’s own heavenly presence descended and overshadowed Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—not the disciples, who were left outside the cloud and only heard the voice, which is why Jesus later came to them (see Matthew 17:7).2
The word behold in Matthew 17:5 points to the extraordinary nature of what was unfolding here. The voice proceeds from the cloud—proof that this is a revelation of God’s majesty. God cannot be seen, and even on Sinai he spoke from the cloud. The voice speaks the same words that had been spoken at the baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:17, with only the command listen to him
being added here. This command itself clarifies that the whole appearance was specifically intended for the apostles as opposed to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah3. God therefore spoke from the bright cloud, interrupting Peter for the purpose of strengthening and confirming the faith of the three disciples. This is why the Father here essentially proclaims the same as that which is contained in Peter’s confession (Matthew 16:16). The audible voice from above thereby confirmed the inner voice of the heart (Matthew 16:17). God had said the same thing back at the baptism of Jesus (Matthew 3:17). The word recalls the Son of God in Psalm 2:7 and the Servant of the Lord in Isaiah 42:1, thereby proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah.4
5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”