The Transfiguration of Jesus: A Holy Event of Great Significance

In this article, we explore the significant event of the Transfiguration of Jesus as described in the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The Transfiguration is a profound moment in the life of Jesus, where his divine nature is revealed to his closest disciples, John, Peter and James. This event serves as a pivotal point in understanding Jesus’ mission and his connection to the traditions of Moses and Elijah.

We will delve into each Gospel’s account of the Transfiguration and provide a commentary on the unique elements and emphasis in each narrative. By examining these accounts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the Transfiguration in the overall narrative of Jesus’ life and teachings.

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Table of Contents

What does the word “transfiguration” mean?
Jesus’ Teachings before the Transfiguration at Caesarea Philippi
The Transfiguration Story
The Transfiguration of Jesus in the Bible – The Scriptures
The Role of the Three Witnesses in the Transfiguration of Jesus
Why Moses and Elijah Appeared?
The Conversation of Jesus with Moses and Elijah
The Place of the Transfiguration Event
The Voice from Heaven During the Transfiguration of Jesus
The Aftermath of the Transfiguration of Jesus
What was the Overall Significance of the Transfiguration?
The Transfiguration of Jesus in Christian Tradition

What does the word “transfiguration” mean?

The term “transfiguration” refers to a complete change in appearance or form, often in a spiritual or supernatural context. In the New Testament, this word is used to describe the miraculous event known as the Transfiguration.

Jesus’ Teachings before the Transfiguration at Caesarea Philippi

The events at Caesarea Philippi, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, and Luke 9:18-21), took place before the Transfiguration.

During this time, Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” Peter responded, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16).

Jesus then commended Peter for his confession, indicating that it was revealed by God. He also stated that Peter would play a foundational role in the establishment of the Church.

Jesus then began to teach his disciples about his upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection. The Transfiguration, happening six days later, served as a powerful confirmation of Jesus’ divine identity and mission, reinforcing the truth of Peter’s confession and preparing the disciples for the difficult path ahead.

The Transfiguration Story

Jesus’ Transfiguration, just like the Pentecost, demonstrates God’s presence and reveal divine truth: the Transfiguration confirms Jesus as the divine Messiah, while Pentecost fulfills his promise of sending the Holy Spirit to empower the disciples.

The Prayer on the Mount of Transfiguration

During Jesus’ ministry in the land of Israel, He decided to reveal a significant aspect of His divine nature. Jesus took three of His disciples: John the Baptist, Peter and James. They set out together, leaving the others behind, and climbed a high mountain, where they would be away from the crowds and could spend time in solitude and prayer.

As Jesus prayed on the mountain, a miraculous event unfolded before the eyes of Peter, James, and John. Jesus’ face began to shine like the sun, and His clothes became dazzling white, appearing as if they were illuminated by a divine light. The disciples were amazed and awestruck by this incredible transformation.

Elijah and Moses Appear

At that moment, two prominent figures from the past, Moses and Elijah, appeared alongside Jesus, conversing with Him. Moses represented the Law, while Elijah represented the Prophets. Their presence symbolized the continuity of Jesus’ mission with the sacred history of Israel.

Peter, not knowing how to react in such a bewildering situation, suggested building three tents—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah, possibly as an homage to the Jewish Festival of Booths.

The Voice From Heaven

As Peter spoke, a bright cloud enveloped them all, and a voice from the cloud, identified as the voice of God, declared,

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

The disciples were overcome with fear and fell to the ground. Jesus then approached them, touched them, and reassured them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.”

When they finally looked up, they saw Jesus standing there alone. Elijah and Moses had disappeared. Jesus and the three apostles descended the holy mountain. To their astonishment, He instructed them not to tell anyone about what they had witnessed until after His resurrection.

The Transfiguration of Jesus in the Bible – The Scriptures

The Transfiguration is recorded in the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. While the core events remain the same, the are some variations in the descriptions and specific details:

Matthew 17:1-9

Jesus’ face is described as shining like the sun, and His clothes become white as light.
The voice from heaven says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Mark 9:2-8

Jesus’ clothes become dazzling white, whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them.
The voice from heaven says, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.§

Luke 9:28-36

Jesus’ appearance changes, and His clothes become as bright as a flash of lightning.
Luke specifically mentions that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were discussing Jesus’ departure (exodos) to Jerusalem.
The voice from heaven says, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him!”

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36 And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

source: King James Bible Online

The Role of the Three Witnesses in the Transfiguration of Jesus

Jesus took Peter, John, and James specifically with Him to the mountain, and this decision holds a particular meaning. The presence of the three disciples during this pivotal event is significant for various reasons:

Credibility: In Jewish tradition, two or three witnesses were required to confirm the truth (Deuteronomy 19:15). Their presence bolsters the account’s reliability.
Apostolic testimony: As part of Jesus’ inner circle, their witnessing of Jesus’ divine affirmation carried significant weight within the Christian community.
Symbolic representation: The three apostles symbolize the broader community of Jesus’ followers, sharing their experiences with future generations.
Personal transformation: Witnessing Jesus’ divine nature and mission deeply impacted Peter, James, and John, preparing them for their roles as leaders in the early Christian church.

Why Moses and Elijah Appeared?

In the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, respectively. Their appearance alongside Jesus signifies the continuity of Jesus’ mission with the sacred history of Israel.

Moses is the central figure in the Hebrew Bible, who received the Ten Commandments and the Law from God. He represents the foundation of the covenant between God and the people of Israel.

Elijah, on the other hand, is a prominent prophet who performed many miracles and challenged the worship of false gods. His presence represents the prophetic tradition in the Hebrew Bible.

Their presence with Jesus during the Transfiguration emphasizes that Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law (represented by Moses) and the Prophets (represented by Elijah). It demonstrates the divine endorsement of Jesus’ mission and highlights the connection between Jesus’ teachings and the religious heritage of Israel.

The Conversation of Jesus with Moses and Elijah

In the Bible, the specific content of Moses and Elijah’s conversation with Jesus is not explicitly detailed. However, according to the Gospel of Luke 9:30-31, they were discussing Jesus’ “departure,” which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

The word “departure” here is translated from the Greek word “exodos,” which suggests they were talking about Jesus’ forthcoming suffering, death, and resurrection.

Beyond this, we do not have any additional information about the exact words exchanged between Jesus, Moses, and Elijah during the Transfiguration.

The Place of the Transfiguration Event

This miraculous event took place on a high mountain, often identified as Mount Tabor in present-day Israel. The Gospels do not specifically name the location, but it is this mountain that is traditionally associated with this miraculous event.

Mount Tabor, located in the Lower Galilee region, is a sacred site for many Christians.

MOUNT TABOR - the Transfiguration of Jesus — ^{Photo by Shalev Cohen on Unsplash}

The Voice from Heaven During the Transfiguration of Jesus

The Voice from Heaven during the Transfiguration holds great importance as it serves as divine affirmation and confirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission. The Voice, identified as the voice of God the Father, speaks directly to Jesus’ disciples and provides them with divine insight and understanding.

When the Voice from the clouds says, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, and Luke 9:35), several key messages are conveyed:

Confirmation of Jesus’ identity: By calling Jesus “my Son,” the Voice from Heaven confirms Jesus’ unique relationship with God and asserts his divine nature. 
Affirmation of Jesus’ mission: When God says that He is “well pleased” with Jesus, it signifies approval and support for Jesus’ teachings and actions, validating his mission on Earth. 
Authority and obedience: By instructing the disciples to “listen to him,” the Voice emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate authority on God’s will, and the disciples, as well as all believers, should heed his teachings and follow his example.

The Voice from Heaven, therefore, plays a crucial role in the Transfiguration by providing divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity, mission, and authority, which strengthens the faith of his disciples and provides a powerful testimony for future generations of believers.

The Aftermath of the Transfiguration of Jesus

Following the miraculous event, Jesus instructed his disciples not to tell anyone about the Transfiguration until after he had risen from the dead. This command puzzled the apostles, as they struggled to understand the concept of Jesus’ resurrection.

The experience of witnessing the Transfiguration, however, had a profound impact on their faith. It strengthened their belief in Jesus as the Messiah and prepared them for the challenges that awaited them, including Jesus’ crucifixion and the subsequent mission to spread the Gospel.

What was the Overall Significance of the Transfiguration?

The Transfiguration of Jesus holds great importance for several reasons.

First, it revealed Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. The disciples who witnessed the event – Peter, John and James – gained a deeper understanding of their Lord’s divine nature.

The Transfiguration also fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, as the presence of Moses and Elijah demonstrated Jesus’ continuity with the Old Testament.

Moreover, the event provided a glimpse of the Kingdom of God and its glory, offering hope and reassurance to the apostles.

The Transfiguration strengthened the faith of the disciples and helped prepare them for the days ahead, including Jesus’ death and resurrection.

The Transfiguration of Jesus in Christian Tradition

In Christian tradition, this event is commemorated through the Feast of Transfiguration. This celebration, which takes place on August 6th, honors the miraculous event in the life of Jesus and the development of the apostles’ faith.

The Feast of Transfiguration is an important part of the liturgical calendar for many Christian denominations, serving as a reminder of Jesus’ divine nature, his fulfillment of the Old Testament, and the hope of his Kingdom.

In conclusion, the Transfiguration of Christ is a pivotal event in the New Testament, revealing Jesus’ divine nature and connecting him to the traditions of Moses and Elijah. Through our examination of the accounts in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, we have observed the distinct elements and emphasis each Gospel places on the Transfiguration.

This event not only affirms Jesus’ identity as the Son of God but also underscores the importance of his mission that ultimately leads to his suffering, death, and resurrection.

The Transfiguration serves as a crucial moment in understanding Jesus’ teachings, his role in fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies, and the nature of discipleship for his followers. By studying these accounts, we can deepen our comprehension of Jesus’ Transfiguration and its impact on the overall narrative of His life and the early Christian community.