BSN: The Transfiguration

  • This event in Jesus’ life is recorded in Mt 17:1-13; Mk 9:2-13; and Lk 9:28-36. It was also briefly mentioned by Peter in 2 Pet 1:16-18. The apostle John may have been referring to it in Jn 1:14 (“saw His glory” in Lk 9:32 supports this take).
  • The event took place on top of a “high mountain” (Mt 17:1) that is not specifically named in any of the biblical accounts.
  • The event took place about a week after Jesus’ pivotal conversation with His disciples in Caesarea Philippi.
  • By Jesus’ intention, it took place away from the crowds. The only witnesses Jesus took with Him to this mountain top were Peter, James, and John.
  • Jesus called the experience a “vision” (Mt 17:9). It included appearances of Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. As for Jesus Himself, Matthew says “He was transfigured before them” such that “His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light” (Mt 17:2). Mark said, “His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them” (Mk 9:3). Luke says that “while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming” (Lk 9:29).
  • Luke reports on the subject matter that the three men (the other two also “appearing in glory”) in the vision were discussing: “His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Lk 9:31). The word “departure” in this verse is Strong’s Greek 1841 (“exodos”) which occurs a total of three times in the New Testament; it is translated here and in 2 Pet 1:15 as “departure,” but as “exodus” in Heb 11:22. Given that Peter’s statement in 2 Pet 1:15 is made in the context of his briefly describing the Transfiguration experience, one has to wonder if “exodus” might not have been a better translation than “departure” in 2 Pet 1:15.
  • A bright crowd overshadowed them and a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”
  • As the four men came down the mountain, Jesus told the three apostles not to tell anyone about the vision “until the Son of Man rose from the dead” (Mk 9:9).

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