Want an image to mediate upon?
Here we see Jesus’s inner circle—Peter, James, and John—witnessing a transfiguration of Jesus. This appearance would support their faith when they would witness the crucifixion. Jesus’ physical transformation gives us a glimpse of the glory he had before He became man and also previews his future glory. It gives us an idea of what our resurrected bodies may become like as we are conformed to His image.
The substance of His body remained the same, but its appearance was greatly altered. He appeared in power and glory. The description is of His body, not His spirit. He was transfigured. Here we see in the transfiguration that “God is light” (1 John 1:5). Chris is the light (John 1:4—5; 9). The description is pretty cool here—“His face show like the sun” and “His clothes became white as light.” This is a great image to mediate upon.
We also get a theophany in the passage—that is an appearance of God in Scripture, “a bright cloud overshadowed them, and ma voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” This is an explanation of Jesus by God the Father to Peter, James, and John. The voice struck terror in the disciples. This is typical in theophanies. Weight of God’s glory in the physical world is too much for us.
Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t explain the transfiguration at all. And, there’s no explanation as to why Elijah and Moses were conversing with Jesus. Though, Jesus does explain that Elijah has already come in John the Baptist. Maybe, we don’t need these explanations in order to be saved. Perhaps we just need to know that Peter, James, and John witnessed what happened and resurrection and ascension later confirm it.
Jesus asks the disciples to not share the story until “the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” Basically, Peter, James, and John are supposed to keep this story in their back pocket until Jesus is raised form the dead. They don’t know what this means at this point though unless they connect God saying “this is my Son” and “Son of Man.” However, “Son of Man” has a specific meaning in the Hebrew Bible. I’m guessing they don’t make this connect. Can you imagine what Peter, James, and John are thinking as they walk down that mountain?
Matthew 17:1—13
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 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.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the
Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ In your mind, what does Jesus look like transfigured? [v2]
+ What scared the disciples? [5—7]
+ What do you think the disciples thought when Jesus asked them to tell no one about what happened until “the Son of Man is raised form the dead?” [9]
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How can you spend some time meditating on the transfiguration? [v2]
+ How can you spend some time mediating on the heaviness of God’s glory? [v5—7]
+ How can you spend some time learning more about this complex passage? [v9]
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Today, who can you share this passage of Scripture with? [v1—17]
STUDY GUIDE [ WWW.ESV.ORG ]
+ Matt. 17:1 After six days probably indicates that they are still in Caesarea Philippi. Peter and James, and John. The inner circle of disciples. high mountain. Church tradition identifies this as Mount Tabor, about 12 miles (19 km) from the Sea of Galilee. Most scholars favor Mount Hermon, outside of Galilee and rising 9,166 feet (2,794 m) above sea level.
+ Matt. 17:2 was transfigured. Jesus’ physical transformation was a reminder of the glory he had before he became man (John 1:14; 17:5; Phil. 2:6–7). It was also a preview of his future glory (2 Pet. 1:16–18; Rev. 1:16).
+ Matt. 17:3 Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, which bear witness to Jesus as the Messiah (compare 5:17).
+ Matt. 17:4 three tents. Peter wishes to respond to this glorious event, though he clearly misunderstands the uniqueness of Jesus as the divine Son of God (see also Luke 9:33–34 and note).
+ Matt. 17:5 bright cloud. Similar to the cloud of God’s presence and glory that appeared at various times in the OT (e.g., Ex. 13:21–22; 1 Kings 8:10–13). voice. Compare Matt. 3:17.
+ Matt. 17:6 terrified. Fear was a common experience of people in the OT who witnessed the reality of God’s presence (e.g., Ex. 19:16; Deut. 5:5).
+ Matt. 17:9 Tell no one the vision. See note on 8:4; see also 9:30; 12:16; 16:20.
+ Matt. 17:10–13 Elijah has already come. See notes on Mal. 4:4–6; Matt. 11:14.
+ Matt. 17:13 Then the disciples understood. “Understanding” is a key theme in Matthew’s Gospel.
+ Theme Matthew tells the story of Jesus of Nazareth, the long-expected Messiah who brought the kingdom of God to earth.
+ Purpose Matthew writes his Gospel to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah, that he has the right to the throne of David as Israel’s true King, and that he is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would be a blessing to all the world (1:1; Gen. 12:1–3). Matthew seeks to encourage Jewish Christians (and all future disciples) to stand strong despite opposition. They should feel secure in the knowledge of their citizenship in God’s kingdom. Matthew shows that Gentiles also can find salvation through Jesus the Messiah.
+ The Setting of Matthew The events in the book of Matthew take place almost entirely within the vicinity of Palestine, an area extending roughly from Caesarea Philippi in the north to Beersheba in the south. During this time it was ruled by the Roman Empire. The opening chapters describe events surrounding Jesus’ birth in Judea, where Herod had been appointed king by the Romans. The closing chapters end with Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension during the rule of Pontius Pilate and the tetrarchs Antipas and Philip.