And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Matthew 17:1–2
The event known as the Transfiguration stands as a pivotal moment in the Gospels, providing a glimpse into the divine nature of Jesus Christ. This extraordinary occurrence is detailed in Matthew 17:1–9, Mark 9:2–8, and Luke 9:28–36, with each Gospel offering unique insights into this transformative event.
“And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.”
—Matthew 17:1–2
The narrative begins with Jesus selecting Peter, James, and John as witnesses to this profound moment. They ascend a high mountain where, in the presence of these disciples, Jesus undergoes a visible transformation. His face radiates with an otherworldly brilliance, and His garments become intensely white — an ethereal manifestation of divine glory.
“And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him.’”
—Mark 9:7
Mark’s account introduces an additional element — the overshadowing cloud. This cloud serves as a symbol of God’s enveloping presence and sets the stage for the voice that resonates from it. The divine declaration identifies Jesus as the beloved Son and commands attentive obedience to His words — an affirmation of Jesus’s unique relationship with the Father.
“And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.”
—Luke 9:29
Luke, often noted for his attention to Jesus’s prayer life, emphasizes the connection between the Transfiguration and prayer. As Jesus prays, His countenance is altered, and His clothing becomes resplendently white. This underscores the significance of prayer as a conduit for divine revelation and transformation.
The Significance of Moses and Elijah: In all three Gospel accounts, Moses and Elijah appear alongside Jesus during the Transfiguration. Their presence holds profound symbolic significance. Moses, representing the Law, and Elijah, representing the Prophets, affirm that Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. Their conversation with Jesus underscores the continuity of God’s redemptive plan throughout history.
Peter’s Response and the Divine Command: Peter, overwhelmed by the celestial scene, suggests constructing tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah — a gesture expressing a desire to prolong this divine encounter. However, as if in response to this, a voice from the overshadowing cloud declares, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” (Luke 9:35). The command to listen to Jesus emphasizes the preeminence of Christ and redirects attention from the extraordinary experience to the teachings of the Son of God.
Implications and Lessons: The Transfiguration serves as a profound revelation of Jesus’s divinity. His radiant appearance and the divine declaration affirm His unique relationship with the Father. This event foreshadows the glory that would be fully revealed in His resurrection.
1. Revelation of Christ’s Divinity: The dazzling transformation of Jesus’s appearance unveils a glimpse of His divine nature. The Transfiguration is a foretaste of the glory that would be fully revealed in His resurrection.
2. Confirmation of Jesus’s Mission: The presence of Moses and Elijah affirms Jesus as the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
3. The Role of Prayer: Luke’s emphasis on Jesus praying during the Transfiguration underscores the transformative power of prayer. It serves as a reminder of the intimate connection between communion with God and divine revelation.
4. Obedience to the Son: The divine command to listen to Jesus redirects the focus from the spectacular to the substantial. The disciples are called to heed the teachings of the Son of God, emphasizing the centrality of Christ’s words.
The Transfiguration stands as a pivotal moment in the Gospels, offering a profound revelation of Jesus’s divinity and confirming His unique role in God’s redemptive plan. This celestial event serves as a bridge between the earthly ministry of Jesus and the forthcoming fulfillment of His mission through His death and resurrection. The radiant glory on the mountain anticipates the glory of the empty tomb — an eternal testament to the Son’s unique relationship with the Father and His ultimate victory over sin and death.
