The Transfiguration

Six days later. Six days before this, Peter had said to Jesus, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Then Jesus told His disciples that He must suffer, be killed and rise again (16:21). That news troubled them. Three friends. Jesus took Peter, James and John up “on a high mountain by themselves” (17:1). Luke says they went up to pray (Luke 9:28). Transfigured. “He was transfigured before them” (17:2). Transfigured means changed, so that His true glory showed on the outside. Like the sun. “His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (17:2). Mark says His clothes were whiter than anyone on earth could wash them (Mark 9:3). His own light. No light from the sky was shining on Jesus. The light came from inside Him, because He is God the Son. Glory before the cross. Soon the disciples would watch Jesus suffer. First, Jesus let them see His glory, so they would remember who He is. What we learn. Jesus is not only a good teacher. He is the shining Son of God. Worship Him, and trust Him when life is hard.

The setting (16:13-28). Six days earlier Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16). Right away Jesus began to teach that He must suffer, be killed and be raised on the third day (16:21). The mountain comes right after that hard news. Three witnesses. Peter, James and John were also the ones Jesus took into Jairus' house (Mark 5:37) and deeper into Gethsemane (Mark 14:33). They saw His power, His glory and His sorrow. Metamorphoō (17:2). The Greek word for transfigured is metamorphoō (say: met-ah-mor-FOH-oh), meaning to be changed in form. What was always true inside Jesus became visible on the outside. Paul uses the same verb when he tells believers to be transformed by a renewed mind (Romans 12:2). Glory from within. The light did not fall on Jesus from outside; it shone out from Him. Years later John, one of the three, saw the risen Jesus, and “His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength” (Revelation 1:16). A time of prayer. Luke adds that Jesus went up to pray, and “as He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered” (Luke 9:29). A promise kept. Jesus had said that some standing with Him would see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (16:28). Many Christians see the transfiguration as the first fulfillment of that promise, a preview of His glory. Why it matters. The disciples needed to know that the road to the cross was not a defeat. The One who would be crucified is the Lord of glory.

Peter, James and John knew Jesus very well. They walked with Him every day. They saw Him eat, sleep and get tired. Jesus looked like an ordinary man. On the mountain, they saw who He really is. Jesus is the Son of God! His glory had been hidden inside Him. Now it shone out for a little while. The light did not come from somewhere else. It came from Jesus Himself. Six days before, Jesus had told them He would suffer and die. This look at His glory gave them hope. Jesus is far greater than we can imagine.

Jesus shone like the sun on the mountain. His friends saw how great He is. Jesus is God's own Son. We can love Him!

Two visitors. “And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him” (17:3). Moses had died long before, and Elijah had been taken up to heaven. Both were alive with God. Moses. God used Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt, and He gave His law through Moses. The first five books of the Bible are called the books of Moses. Elijah. Elijah was one of the bravest prophets. He stood up for the Lord when most of Israel was worshiping a false god named Baal. Two great servants. The Jews called their Scriptures the Law and the Prophets. Moses stood for the Law, and Elijah stood for the Prophets. What they talked about. Luke says they “spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). Decease means death. Peter's idea. “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles” (17:4). Here a tabernacle means a tent or shelter. Not equal. Peter may have wanted the moment to last, but three tents would treat Jesus as one great man among others. Mark says Peter “did not know what to say” (Mark 9:6). What we learn. Moses and Elijah were great servants of God. Jesus is the Lord they served.

Appeared (17:3). Moses had died centuries earlier, and the Lord Himself buried him (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). Elijah had been carried up into heaven by a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). Here both stand alive, “talking with Him.” Death had not ended their life with God. The Law and the Prophets. Moses gave Israel the Law, and Elijah stands at the head of the prophets. Between them they represent the Scriptures Israel had read for centuries, and both are gathered around Jesus. Exodos (Luke 9:31). Luke says they spoke of His decease. The Greek word is exodos (say: EX-oh-dos), a departure or going out. Moses had led Israel's exodus from Egypt; now the two speak with Jesus about the departure He would accomplish at Jerusalem through His death, resurrection and return to the Father. Skēnē (17:4). Peter's word for tabernacles is skēnē (say: skay-NAY), a tent or booth. Israel's tabernacle in the desert was God's tent among His people. Peter wanted shelters that would keep this glory on the mountain. Equal honor? Three tents would honor Jesus side by side with Moses and Elijah. Hebrews says that Jesus “has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses” (Hebrews 3:3). Speaking out of fear. Mark explains Peter's words: “he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid” (Mark 9:6). Luke adds that they had been “heavy with sleep” (Luke 9:32). Why it matters. Moses and Elijah are honored servants, but neither is a Savior. Only Jesus could accomplish the exodos at Jerusalem.

Moses and Elijah were two of Israel's greatest heroes. Moses led God's people out of Egypt. God gave His law through Moses. Elijah was a brave prophet. He called the people to turn back to God. Moses had died long before. Elijah had been taken up to heaven. But both of them were alive with God! They came to talk with Jesus. Luke says they talked about Jesus dying in Jerusalem. Peter wanted to make three tents. That would make Jesus seem equal with Moses and Elijah. But no one is equal with Jesus. He is the Son of God.

Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus. They loved God long ago. But Jesus is even greater than them all. Jesus is the King!

The bright cloud. “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them” (17:5). In the Old Testament, a cloud often showed that God was present with His people. The Father's voice. God the Father spoke from the cloud. First He said who Jesus is: “This is My beloved Son.” Beloved means dearly loved. Well pleased. The Father said He is “well pleased” with Jesus. Jesus never once disobeyed His Father. He said, “I always do those things that please Him” (John 8:29). A command. Then the Father said, “Hear Him!” To hear Jesus means to listen to Him and obey Him. The Father did not want three tents. He wanted the disciples to listen to His Son. Afraid. “They fell on their faces and were greatly afraid” (17:6). Sinful people are afraid when they meet the holy God. A gentle touch. “But Jesus came and touched them and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid’” (17:7). The shining Son of God reached down to frightened men. Jesus only. “They saw no one but Jesus only” (17:8). Moses and Elijah were gone, and Jesus was still there. What we learn. Listen to Jesus by reading His words in the Bible and doing what He says. When you are afraid, remember His touch and His words.

Overshadowed (17:5). The bright cloud recalls the cloud that led Israel through the desert and covered the tabernacle. Luke says “they were fearful as they entered the cloud” (Luke 9:34). The same words, and more. At Jesus' baptism the Father said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (3:17). On the mountain He says it again and adds, “Hear Him!” Jesus is now heading toward the cross, and the Father commands the disciples to listen to Him. Interrupted. “While he was still speaking.” God did not answer Peter's plan; He set it aside. The disciples did not need shelters for glory. They needed to listen to Jesus, including what He said about the cross. Hard words included. Only six days earlier Peter had taken Jesus aside and rebuked Him for saying He would suffer (16:22). Hearing Jesus means receiving all He says, the hard words as well as the welcome ones. Holy fear (17:6). The disciples “fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.” Sinful people cannot stand at ease before the holy God. His touch (17:7). Jesus “came and touched them.” Matthew uses the same picture when Jesus “put out His hand and touched” a man with leprosy (8:3). The glorified Son is the same gentle Savior. Jesus only (17:8). When they looked up, “they saw no one but Jesus only.” The Law and the Prophets step back; the Son remains. We run our race “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

God the Father spoke from the bright cloud. He told everyone who Jesus is. Jesus is His dearly loved Son. Jesus always pleased His Father. Then God said, “Obey him!” That means we must listen to Jesus and do what He says. The followers were very scared. God is holy, and they were not. Then Jesus came and touched them. He said, “Don’t be afraid.” The followers looked up and saw only Jesus. Jesus is all we need. We listen to Jesus when we read His words in the Bible.

A bright cloud came. God said to listen to Jesus. Jesus touched His scared friends. Jesus helps us not be afraid.

Keep it quiet. “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead” (17:9). Many people wanted a king who would fight the Romans. After the cross and the empty tomb, what the disciples saw would make sense. A question about Elijah. “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” (17:10). Scribes were teachers of God's law. God's promise. Long before, God said, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5). Elijah has come. Jesus said, “Elijah has come already, and they did not know him” (17:12). The disciples understood that He meant John the Baptist (17:13). John came with the same spirit and power as Elijah (Luke 1:17). Treated badly. They “did to him whatever they wished” (17:12). King Herod put John in prison and later had him killed. The Son of Man. “Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands” (17:12). The Son of Man was the name Jesus used most for Himself. Glory and the cross. Jesus came down from the shining mountain and walked toward Jerusalem, knowing He would suffer there. What we learn. Following Jesus does not mean every day will be easy. The glory came first on the mountain so that they could trust Him on the hard days.

Silent until He rose (17:9). “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” Mark adds that they kept it to themselves, “questioning what the rising from the dead meant” (Mark 9:10). Glory told without the cross would only feed hopes of a political Messiah. The scribes' question (17:10). Malachi had promised, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5). If the Messiah had come, where was Elijah? Restore all things (17:11). Jesus agreed: “Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” Many Christians believe Elijah will also come again before Jesus returns. Already come (17:12-13). John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Like Elijah, he called Israel to turn back to God. As they wished. Herod Antipas arrested John and had him put to death (14:3-12). Jesus ties John's suffering to His own: “Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Written of Him. In Mark, Jesus asks, “how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?” (Mark 9:12). Isaiah had written, “He is despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). Why it matters. The transfiguration does not replace the cross; it prepares the disciples for it. The Jesus who shone on the mountain would be lifted up on a cross and then raised in glory.

Jesus told His friends to keep the vision a secret for now. They could tell it after He rose from death. Then people would understand who Jesus really is. The friends asked about Elijah. God had promised to send Elijah before the Savior came. Jesus said that promise had come true. John the Baptist was the Elijah God promised. John came with the same power as Elijah. But people did not listen to John. Jesus said He would suffer too. The glory on the mountain did not stop the cross. Jesus chose to go to the cross for us.

Jesus said to wait to tell. First He would die and rise again. Then everyone could hear the good news! Jesus loves you!