The transfiguration of Jesus is a pivotal event in the New Testament, where Jesus' divine nature is revealed to His closest disciples through a dramatic transformation of His appearance. This event is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. The transfiguration serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' identity as the Son of God and provides a foretaste of His future glory.

Biblical Account

In the Gospel of Matthew, the transfiguration is described as follows: "After six days, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:1-2). This radiant transformation of Jesus' face and clothing signifies His divine glory and purity, setting Him apart from earthly existence.

Mark's account emphasizes the dazzling nature of Jesus' appearance: "There He was transfigured before them. His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them" (Mark 9:2-3). The emphasis on the extraordinary brightness underscores the supernatural aspect of the event.

Luke adds a detail about Jesus' prayer: "As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white" (Luke 9:29). This highlights the connection between Jesus' communion with the Father and the revelation of His glory.

Theological Significance

The transfiguration is a profound revelation of Jesus' divine nature and His fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. During the event, Moses and Elijah appear and converse with Jesus, symbolizing the Law and the Prophets, respectively. This meeting signifies that Jesus is the culmination of the Old Testament promises and prophecies.

The voice of God the Father further affirms Jesus' divine sonship: "A voice came from the cloud, saying, 'This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him!'" (Luke 9:35). This divine endorsement echoes the declaration at Jesus' baptism and reinforces His authority and mission.

Disciples' Reaction

The disciples' reaction to the transfiguration is one of awe and fear. Peter, overwhelmed by the experience, suggests building three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, indicating his desire to prolong the moment (Mark 9:5-6). However, the divine voice interrupts, redirecting their focus to Jesus alone.

The event concludes with Jesus alone, and the disciples are instructed to keep the vision to themselves until after the resurrection (Matthew 17:9). This instruction underscores the eschatological significance of the transfiguration, pointing to the future resurrection and glorification of Jesus.

Symbolism and Implications

The transfiguration serves as a foretaste of the resurrection and the future glory that awaits Jesus and His followers. It provides a glimpse of the kingdom of God and the transformation that believers will experience. The radiant face of Jesus symbolizes the light of divine truth and the hope of eternal life.

In the broader narrative of the Gospels, the transfiguration marks a turning point, as Jesus begins to prepare His disciples for His impending suffering and death. It reassures them of His divine nature and the ultimate victory over sin and death.

The transfiguration of Jesus remains a powerful testament to His identity as the Son of God, the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, and the promise of future glory for all who follow Him.Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 9:29
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
Nave's Topical Index

The Face of Jesus
... apart from His features, the inner spirit of Jesus must have ... and the skin clear,
and with the transfiguring power of the spirit within, that face must have ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the face of jesus.htm

The Hilltops --Experiences of Gladness and Glory
... Valley Music. There was a third group of experiences in our Lord Jesus'
life. But ... her. The transfiguring peace was upon her face. I ...
/.../quiet talks on following the christ/4 the hilltopsexperiences of gladness.htm

A Stubborn Foe Routed.
... Then Jesus came. Was some of the transfiguring glory still lingering in
that great face? It would seem so. The crowd was "amazed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a stubborn foe routed.htm

The Transfiguration.
... a glimpse vague and dark for all the transfiguring light, for ... What should make a
man's face shine, if not the ... In the transfiguration of Jesus we have, I think ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/xii the transfiguration.htm

Prayer and Transfiguration
... and loving, and holding fast by Jesus Christ in ... by these words"namely, that this
transfiguring will become ... Did you never see anybody whose face was changed ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/prayer and transfiguration.htm

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
... no suggestion of what he may have seen; only the transfiguring change in his face,
and the ... the resplendent glory of God, and the crucified Jesus standing at ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/v an advance step in the.htm

Not that Light, but a Witness.
... the smile of spring, and unveils her face in summer to ... need to be caught in the
transfiguring, heaven-leaping ... Welcome Jesus Christ as John did; and, as to John ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/viii not that light but.htm

The Flood-Tide of Power.
... Jesus is the Chief Executive of the campaign through His Spirit. ... shall find the beauty
of God, that passeth all describing, transfiguring the face; and the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the flood-tide of power.htm

Priscilla and Aquila
... flows the ennobling, the calming, the transfiguring thought of ... him his 'fellow worker
in Christ Jesus'; and he ... at last found himself in Corinth, face to face ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/priscilla and aquila.htm

Praying Men at a Premium
... None other prayed as did Jesus nor had any such a ... because we were unacquainted with
the transfiguring power of ... in which we engage which makes the face to shine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/vi praying men at a.htm

Why does Moses have horns in some ancient statues / sculptures? | GotQuestions.org

Did Moses see God? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Moses have to wear a veil? | GotQuestions.org

Face: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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