Knowing The Word in Matthew 17:1-8

The Transfiguration

[All the Synoptic Gospels include the Transfiguration, which John strangely omits. The Synoptics closely link Peter’s confession with Jesus’ new teaching on his death followed by the Transfiguration. What appears on the human level as a failure—the death of Jesus—is given approval on the divine level with this revelation. The theology of the cross is given approval by the theology of glory with the two being inextricably linked. Read Exodus 24:1, 9-18.]

1 And after six days [unusually precise, linking this event with the previous] Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother [Jesus’ inner circle, chosen for a private moment with God], and led them up a high mountain [probably the Hermon range near Caesarea Philippi and not Mount Tabor in Galilee as early tradition suggests] by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured [transformed] before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. [The text itself describes the verb transfigured. Jesus became like a heavenly being, a description of the ultimately glory of his righteousness. It also reminds us of Moses’ shining face in Exodus 34:29-35.] 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. [Why Moses and Elijah? Both men talked with God at Mount Sinai but both were also expected to return in connection with the Messianic age. Moses and Elijah also experienced rejection and suffering. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Prophet to which they both pointed.] 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents [temporary booths like at the Feast of Tabernacles] here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” [Peter’s apparent attempt at hospitality is rather inept as Jesus will be moving from here to the cross. There is no need to celebrate or memorialize this event.] 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud [a cloud is the sign of God’s presence but by adding bright it becomes the Shekinah of the visible glory of God] overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud [see Exodus 24:16] said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased [repeated from Jesus’ baptism]; listen to him [added, probably from Deuteronomy 18:15 and 19 in regard to the Prophet].” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. [After this supernatural vision and hearing the voice of God, they were relieved to have Jesus “back to normal.”]