The Mount of Transfiguration

Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration took place in about a week from Jesus’ discussion with the Twelve about discipleship. Although Matthew and Mark agree it was “after six days” (17:1a). Luke says “some eight days after” (Luke 9:28). About eight days is equivalent to after six days or a week later. There is no contradiction between the Gospel writers. Matthew and Mark only include complete days in their estimation of the time, whereas Luke also includes partial days. Either way you count the time, it was about “six or eight days” later.

Why did Jesus just take “Peter, James and John?” They were the first three of four called by Jesus. They head all four lists of the disciples. Three times Jesus would take this inner circle of disciples with Him on special occasions. This is one and the other two are at the home of Jairus (Luke 8:51) and garden of Gethsemane before His crucifixion (see Matt. 26:37). All three have to do with death. Whatever the reason for these particular disciples, Jesus needed two or three reliable witnesses to this event, He in His wisdom chose them.

Jesus led these three “up on a high mountain.” Tradition says this was Mount Tabor. But this cannot be true for it was not that high of a mountain and also according to Josephus it had a military installation on top during the time of Jesus. Mount Hermon was 9232 feet high and oft snow covered on top. This may be all the reason why Peter suggested building tents for sheltering the three. However, there is a third possibility. The four-thousand-foot-high Mount Meron which lies between Mt. Hermon and the Sea of Galilee. Jesus at some point in the night while He was praying (Luke 9:28-29) “was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (17:2). Notice this did not only change the appearance of His body but also His clothing. The divine glory of Jesus was shining through His body and His garments. Jesus Christ laid aside His glory when He came to earth (John 17:5). The Greek term for “transfigured” gives us our English word “metamorphosis.” Just as a caterpillar weaves a cocoon around itself and then from within this cocoon changes into a butterfly, so disciples are to be transfigured by the renewing of the mind (Rom. 12:1–2).

Why did Moses and Elijah appear and not Abraham, David, Isaiah, etc.? First, Moses had prophesied, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear” (Deut. 18:15). Furthermore, Moses was synonymous with the Law.

Also “Elijah appeared to them.” Elijah was a representation of the prophets. He and Enoch are the only two who did to see death but were taken by God. Elijah did not see death but departed in a fiery chariot taken up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

Both Moses and Elijah had mountain top experiences with God. Moses saw the burning bush and later received the Law on Mount Sinai. Elijah had a great victory on Mount Carmel over the prophets of Baal and later was commissioned by God on Mount Sinai (1 Kings 18,19). Moses and Elijah were “talking with Him.” About what? They “spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:31). The term for “decease” is from a Greek term from which exodus is derived. Peter used the word “exodus” in describing his own impending death (2 Peter 1:15) which reminded him of the Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah meet Jesus to discuss His forthcoming exodus. Three times in the ministry of Jesus He receives comfort from beyond. First, after His temptation, and later in the Garden of Gethsemane. Thrice God speaks from heaven. This is also one of these times.

The appearance of these two confirmed that there is life after death and death does not remove a man’s identity of consciousness.

Some people have something to say, and some have to say something. Peter was not one to keep silent. He said, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (17:4). This is one of those occasions where the thoughtless, overly eager, and impetuous response of Peter causes Him to speak before his brain has been fully engaged. He said it “not knowing what he said” (Luke 9:33).

The event took place at night, and Peter spoke only after he was fully awake. In the garden He had a hard time staying awake. As he said this Moses and Elijah were in the process of departing (Luke 9:33). Perhaps, he was hoping they would stay, if a tent was provided for them.

Just how these three disciples were able to recognize Elijah who had been dead for 800 years and Moses for 1500 we are not told. Perhaps it was a miraculous recognition or from their conversations with Jesus.

“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them” (17:5a). God often appears to mankind as a cloud. About sixty times in the Old Testament the Shekinah cloud of God’s glory is mentioned. Some of the more well-known occurrences are when the Egyptian army was pursuing the Israelites to the Red Sea (Ex. 14:19,20). It came when Moses received the Law (Ex. 19:16-20). It appeared at the dedication of both the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34,35) and the Temple (1 Kings 8:10).

God by declaring “This is My beloved Son” equates Jesus with Himself as God. Although no one else seems to approve of Jesus as the Messiah, the Father was “well pleased” with Jesus. This proclamation from heaven is the same as at Jesus’ baptism except, God commands “hear him!”

“Do not hear Moses; do not hear Elijah, etc.” They have left. There is no need for the Law and the Prophets to be heard by the disciples. They have need of listening and following only Jesus. The tense of the verb means they must keep on listening to Jesus.

“When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid” (17:6). This would have been a frightening experience for anyone. Whenever man had come face to face with the divine as in the glory of Jesus or the supernatural as in seeing the dead among the living or an angel man had responded with fear. The awesomeness and holiness of the divine should result in holy terror.

The transfiguration would later have a great impact upon Peter. “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18). Peter uses this event to explain why we all need to have a faith in the veracity and dependability of the inspiration of scripture.

John also seems to refer to the Transfiguration when he wrote, “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

While they prostrated in fear, Jesus came over and touched them saying, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” This was not a rebuke for their reaction, but an encouragement to move on now that it is over.

“When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only” (17:8). Jesus was alone, and Jesus alone is all they needed from this point. Only Jesus could lead the way and save (John 14:6)

The trip down the mountain served Jesus as a time to issue a command, “tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead” (17:9). The masses and perhaps even the other disciples were not ready for this message. They still held to the view that the king and his coming kingdom must be of a carnal nature. This event would only serve to further discourage and confuse them. However, after the resurrection the pieces of the puzzle would start to come together. Jesus came to gain a victory over death not the Romans.

This celestial scene was profoundly confusing to Peter and the others. Elijah was to come first and “restore all things.” How can this be? He just came and went. The Jewish belief at the time was based on Malachi 4:5,6. Elijah “will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.” This is not the restoration of all things, but it does relate to the ministry of John who came preaching repentance and preparation for the way of the Lord.

John, when asked if he was Elijah, said, “I am not” (John 1:21). Jesus had already told the disciples that John “is Elijah who is to come” (11:14). Now He declares “Elijah has come already. But I say to you that and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished” (17:12a). The Jews allowed John to be imprisoned by Herod and later killed. So, they should not look for Elijah in the future. His time had already come and gone in the life of John. Finally, “the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist” (17:13). The question about the identity of Elijah and John has been put to rest among the Twelve.

Jesus takes this moment to reinforce the fact that His exodus through the cross was required as part of the plan. It is the one thing they now would look to in the future

— Daniel R. Vess