Topical Encyclopedia The Transfiguration of Jesus is a pivotal event in the New Testament, recorded in the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is a moment where Jesus' divine nature is revealed to a select group of His disciples, including John the Apostle. This event holds significant theological importance, illustrating the glory of Christ and affirming His divine sonship.Biblical Account The Transfiguration is described in Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-10, and Luke 9:28-36. According to these accounts, Jesus took Peter, James, and John 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. The Berean Standard Bible in Matthew 17:2 states, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." During this miraculous event, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. This meeting symbolizes the Law and the Prophets bearing witness to Jesus as the fulfillment of both. The presence of Moses and Elijah underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament. John's Role and Experience John, as one of the three disciples chosen to witness the Transfiguration, was given a unique glimpse into the divine nature of Christ. This experience would have profoundly impacted his understanding of Jesus' identity and mission. Although John does not directly recount the Transfiguration in his Gospel, the themes of light and glory prevalent in his writings (e.g., John 1:14) reflect the influence of this event on his theology. Theological Significance The Transfiguration serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' divine nature and His role as the Messiah. It prefigures His resurrection and glorification, offering the disciples a foretaste of the Kingdom of God. The voice of God the Father, heard during the Transfiguration, affirms Jesus' sonship: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5). This divine endorsement emphasizes the authority of Jesus and the necessity of heeding His teachings. Symbolism and Fulfillment The appearance of Moses and Elijah is rich in symbolism. Moses represents the Law, while Elijah represents the Prophets. Their presence with Jesus signifies that He is the culmination of both the Law and the Prophets, fulfilling the Scriptures. The Transfiguration thus confirms Jesus as the central figure in God's salvific history. Impact on John's Writings While John's Gospel does not include the Transfiguration narrative, the themes of light, glory, and divine revelation permeate his writings. In John 1:14 , he writes, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." This passage echoes the revelation of Jesus' glory witnessed during the Transfiguration. Conclusion The Transfiguration is a cornerstone event that reveals the divine glory of Jesus Christ to His closest disciples, including John. It affirms His identity as the Son of God and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. This profound experience undoubtedly shaped John's understanding of Jesus and influenced his theological reflections in his Gospel and epistles. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 17:1And after six days Jesus takes Peter, James, and John his brother, and brings them up into an high mountain apart, Nave's Topical Index Mark 9:2 Luke 9:28 Library The Transfiguration The Word Made Flesh. The Author's Life. A Homily Delivered on the Saturday Before the Second Sunday in ... The Gospel of John The Gospel According to St. John The Limitations of Earth's Great Week. John's Introduction. Jesus Baptized by John in the Jordan. Life and Character of John Resources Did Jesus lie to His brothers in John 7:8 10? | GotQuestions.orgWho baptized John the Baptist? | GotQuestions.org Summary of the Book of 1 John - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org John: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics John: A Relative of Annas the High Priest John: Affected Probably by the Doctrines of the Stoics John: Herod Antipas Falsely Supposes Jesus to Be John: His Influence Upon the Public Mind John: His Ministry not Attested by Miracles John: Reproves Herod Antipas on Account of his Incest; Herod Imprisons Him, and Beheads Him John: Sends Two Disciples to Jesus John: Teaches his Disciples to Fast John: Teaches his Disciples to Pray John: Testifies to the Messiahship of Jesus John: The Apostle is Intrusted With the Care of Mary, Mother of Jesus John: The Apostle is Present With Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane John: The Apostle: A Pillar of the Ekklesia (Body of Christ) John: The Apostle: Civil Ambitions of John: The Apostle: Imprisoned by the Rulers of the Jews John: The Apostle: Intimately Associated With Jesus John: The Apostle: Intolerance of John: The Apostle: Lives in Jerusalem John: The Apostle: Prepares the Passover Meal John: The Apostle: Present at the Crucifixion John: The Apostle: Present at the Gravesite of Jesus John: The Apostle: Present at the Trial of Jesus Which Took Place in Front of the High Priest John: The Apostle: Present when Jesus Revealed Himself at the Lake Galilee John: The Apostle: Present With Peter in the Temple Courtyard John: The Apostle: Prophecy Concerning John: The Apostle: Sent by the Jerusalem Congregation With the Commission to Samaria John: The Apostle: The Epistles of John John: The Apostle: The healing of Peter's mother-in-law John: The Apostle: The raising of the daughter of Jairus John: The Apostle: The transfiguration John: The Apostle: The two catches of fish John: The Apostle: Writes his Apocalyptic Vision from Patmos Island John: The Baptist: Prophecies Concerning John: The Testimony of Jesus Concerning (See Below, Jesus Discourses Upon) Related Terms |
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