Ben F. Vick, Jr.
“And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 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. 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” (Matt.17:1-5).
Following the conversation of our Lord in the previous chapter, six days had passed. Luke’s account (Luke 9:28-36) says, “about eight days after these sayings,” which probably counts a day before the six days and one after it. Jesus took with him “the inner circle” – Peter, James and John and went into a high mountain. We are not told which mountain, but I agree with McGarvey’s comment:
The scene of the transfiguration was formerly supposed to be Mt. Tabor, a very beautiful conical mountain west of the lake of Galilee; but as Jesus was on his tour to Caesarea Philippi, which town was situated at the base of Mt. Hermon, it is now generally believed that the latter is the mountain mentioned in the text. Moreover, Mt. Hermon better corresponds to the designation “a high mountain;” for it is the highest mountain in Palestine, being about 10,000 feet above the level of the sea. Its top is covered with almost perpetual snow, and it is visible from high points in all parts of Galilee and Judea. Some lofty terrace on its side would have been in every way a suitable spot for the transfiguration
(Commentary on Matthew and Mark, pp. 149-150).
Why Jesus selected these three, we are not told. They were also selected earlier to go into the home of Jairus’ daughter and later into the inner garden of Gethsemane prior to his arrest. We do know that the event would increase their faith. Perhaps the greater chances of keeping the transfiguration a secret until the time was right entered into the decision. The more individuals who know of an event the greater the chances of it’s being revealed.
Luke’s account also tells us that Jesus “went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering” (Luke 9:28-29). Matthew records that Jesus “was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matt. 17:2). Mark writes, “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them” (Mark 9:3). “Transfigured” means “changed in form.” Exactly what that entailed, who knows? His appearance was changed. His face did “shine as the sun.” His raiment was white and flashed or gleamed like lightening. What an awesome scene it was!
As Jesus was praying, Moses and Elijah appeared talking with him. Moses represented the law. Interesting that because of his sin, God would not allow him to enter the promised land but 1500 years later he stands with Christ in that promised land. Cecil Frances Alexander wrote:
In that strange grave without a name,
Whence his uncoffined clay
Should break again – O wondrous thought!-
Before the judgment-day,
And stand, with glory wrapped around,
On hills he never trod,
And speak of the strife that won our life
With the incarnate Son of God.
Interesting that no one knows where Moses was buried except God, yet the tomb where Jesus was buried was known by friend and foe alike.
And then there was Elijah, representing all the great prophets of God. I wonder what the conversation was. No need to guess. Luke’s account tells us. These two “appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.” Elijah could not speak from experience as to death because he never died but was caught in a whirlwind.
Peter, James, and John “were heavy with sleep” but when they awoke, they saw Jesus’ glory, Moses, and Elijah. Luke tells us, “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” (Luke 9:33). Mark says, “For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid” (Mark 9:6). The testimony then reads:
“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. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only” (Matt. 17:5-8).
The lesson is clear: Christ is the one we are to hear. He is the authority. The law ended at the cross. No need to look to Moses as one’s authority today. Neither does one need to look to the prophets of old as authority. We can learn from them, but our Leader and Savior is Christ. We must hear him. “Hear ye him” means to heed him. We are to obey him.
Approximately thirty years after this awesome event, Peter refers to it, though he and the other two could speak of it after his resurrection. He wrote:
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount (2 Pet. 1:16-18).