The transfiguration of Jesus

The transfiguration of Jesus

Laindon Bible Study, 11th January 2017

The transfiguration of Jesus 2

A change in emphasis

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised

again the third day.”Matthew 16 v 21


The reasons for the transfiguration

For our LordA brief participation in the joy set before him (Hebrews 12 v 1), reassuring Jesus that he did indeed come to fulfil the Law [Moses] & the Prophets [Elijah] (Mark 5 v 17) through his sacrificial death

For the threeA revelation of the anticipated glory and majesty of their Lord (2 Peter 1 v 16-18), which would be recalled after Jesus’ resurrection to provide the disciples with hope (Mark 9 v 9-10, John 14 v 26)

For us as wellA profound insight into a most private occasion, disclosing the resplendent form of an immortalised being – and the means by which this was made possible (through Jesus’s “decease”)


Imprinted upon Peter and John• The eyewitness testimony in their writings…2 Peter 1 v 16-18

16 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. 17 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. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

John 1 v 14

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 3 v 2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.


The three synoptic records

Matthew Mark Luke17v

1 - 9

9v

2 - 10

9v

28 - 36


A fulfilled prophecy of Jesus• Follows on from Jesus’ prediction of the coming kingdom:

•One of the most adjacent prophecies & fulfilments in scripture?

Matthew 16 v 28-17 v 1

28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. [ch. 17] 1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

Luke 9 v 27-28

27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. 28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

Mark 9 v 1-2

1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. 2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.

A clear connection is being made

“we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1 v 16)


“After six” or “about an eight” days?• “After six days” (Matthew, Mark) or “about an eight days”

(Luke)?• The two can be easily reconciled – eight including the day of the

prediction and the day of the fulfilment (six excluding these)• The significance of these numbers?• Is six days of a thousand years (2 Peter 3 v 8) before the

establishment of the kingdom and the transformation of the resurrected saints• In the eighth millennia all inhabitants of the earth will exist in a

beautified and immortalised state

Note: parallels with Moses at Sinai, for six days “the glory of the Lord abode” on the mount (Exodus 24 v 16)


Who chosen to accompany & why?•Remember Jesus’s words “some standing here” i.e. not all• Three individuals specifically selected: Peter, James & John• The same three individuals who:•Witnessed the resurrection of the ruler of the synagogue’s

daughter (Mark 5 v 37, Luke 8 v 51)•Went further into Gethsemane with the Lord Jesus (Mark 14 v 33)

Romans 8 v 16-17

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.Also see similar verses in: 2 Corinthians 1 v 5, 2 Timothy 2 v 11-12 and 1 Peter 4 v 13


Which mount & does it matter?•Was traditionally understood as Tabor

Location of Roman fort, summit inhabited• Some have suggested Nebo due to the

connection with Moses or even Horeb given link with both Moses & Elijah Distance to be travelled in a week, also

when descended:

•Now commonly accepted as HermonNear Caesarea Philippi (Mt 16 v 13, Mk 8 v 27)

“And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down from the hill, much people met him.” (Luke 9 v 37)

Mt Horeb


Which mount & does it matter?•Clearly, not the most critical factor

where it occurred• Important that a mountain:• Place of solitude (cp. Mt 14 v 23)• Link with the kingdom (cp. Is 2 v 2)• Closer to God (cp. Sinai/Horeb)• Physical effort required to climb (cp.

our probations, towards a summit)•Highest peak of Hermon is >9,000 ft (snow

capped), could have been a lower peak


When in Jesus’s ministry & in day?•Probably around 6 months before the crucifixion (perhaps at

time of feast of tabernacles? Hence: Mt 17 v 4)• Seemingly was at night, which would explain:• “Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep”* (Lk 9 v 32), as

was the case on the Gethsemane evening• “And it came to pass, that on the next day, when they were come down

from the hill” (Lk 9 v 37)• [This was also the time of day when Jesus often prayed (e.g. Lk 6 v 12)]

Adds to the dramatic effect…

* Perhaps representing symbolic death and resurrection, as with Daniel 8 v 18, 10 v 9


Answered prayer•Characteristically, Jesus had gone into the mountain to pray

•What was the content of this prayer?•We don’t know in detail, but it appears that the transfiguration

came as an answer/response from God• Compare with Daniel’s prayers in ch. 10 that were answered with

the ‘Certain man’ prophecy (also involved a deep sleep)

Luke 9 v 28-29

28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered... Note: contrast the effect of this prayer with that in Luke 22 v 44


Jesus’ metamorphosis• The Greek word translated transfigured is only found four

times in scripture• Two of these refer to this occasion (Mt 17 v 2, Mk 9 v 2)• The original word is where we get metamorphosis from Gk. metamorphoo to transform, change completely, to change into another form


How Jesus appeared to the disciples•Comparison of the synoptic records:

•A heavenly glory, like unto the angels (cp. Mt 28 v 3)•Contrast with the vailed Moses (Ex 34 v 35 / 2 Cor 3 v 13-16)• If Hermon snow-capped (at night) we can imagine reflections

Matthew 17 v 2 Mark 9 v 3 Luke 9 v 29“…and his face did shine as the

sun, and his raiment was white as the light.”

“And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as

no fuller on earth can white them.”

“…the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was

white and glistering.”

Revelation 19 v 8

8 And to her [the Lamb’s wife] was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Daniel 12 v 3 (see also Matthew 13 v 43)

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

i.e. not of this order of things


Moses & Elijah speak of an Exodus•A very specific topic of conversation:

• Jesus death an accomplishment, the means of success* (the way to achieve a transfiguration – as it is for us)•Only two other NT appearances of Gk. exodos:• Hebrews 11 v 22: “the departing of the children of Israel”• 2 Peter 1 v 15: “after my [Peter’s] decease… have… in remembrance”

Luke 9 v 30-31

30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease [Gk. exodos] which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

* For self and others (represented in Moses & Elijah)


Why Moses and Elijah?Moses Elijah

Received mountain revelations from GodRepresentative of the Law Representative of the ProphetsSucceeded by Joshua, who clearly prefigured Jesus’s work

Succeeded by Elisha, who also clearly prefigured Jesus’s work

Died and therefore represents dead in Christ at his coming?

Carried away (held suspended?) and therefore represents living at Christ’s coming?


Was this a vision or reality?• “Tell the vision to no man” (Matthew 17 v 9)!• Vision just means something seen (see NIV, NET, Amplified trans.)• It is, for example, used in Acts 7 v 31 to describe the burning bush

•Commentators sometimes tied in knots trying to explain the how - a mistaken approach (God’s workings not limited)•Argument for a reality (making event meaningful for Jesus):• “Moses and Elias talking with him” (Mt 17 v 3) “two men that stood

with him” (Lk 9 v 32) “Let us make here three tabernacles” (Mt 17 v 4) “As they departed from him” (Lk 9 v 33) “Jesus was found alone” (Lk 9 v 36)

•A kind of ‘time bubble’, with Jesus transported to kingdom?


‘Two or three witnesses’

• Two witnesses to Jesus’ Messiahship – Moses and Elijah

• Three witnesses to the glory/majesty – Peter, James & John

Deuteronomy 19 v 15

15 …at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Luke 16 v 31 [Parable of Rich Man & Lazarus]

31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

2 Peter 1 v 16-18

16 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. 17 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. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

John 1 v 14

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 3 v 2

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.


The significance of three tabernacles•As already noted, possibly time of the feast of tabernacles• It was Peter’s desire to stop Moses & Elijah departing (Lk 9 v

33), perhaps indicating his immediate wish for the kingdom• Note: he did not suggest six tabernacles, just three

• The feast of tabernacles is associated with the future age:• The last feast in the year (a culmination of the religious calendar)• Tabernacles were made of evergreen branches cp. God’s

everlasting dwelling place with man• The one feast specifically mentioned as being universally kept in

the kingdom age (see Zechariah 14 v 16)


The divine voice from the cloud

• Link back to the time of Jesus’ baptism (3 years before), see Mt 3 v 17, Mk 1 v 11, Lk 3 v 22•Words of great reassurance to our Lord, a public declaration•Draws from the Old Testament:

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” (Matthew 17 v 5, red words indicate differences to parallels in Mark/Luke)

Psalm 2 v 77 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Isaiah 42 v 142 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Deuteronomy 18 v 1515 The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;

The LawThe ProphetsThe Psalms


Our Lord’s spirit

“And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had

seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.” Mark 9 v 9


Our personal transfiguration (now)•We must change now to have hope of change in future:Romans 12 v 2

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2 Corinthians 3 v 18

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.


Our future hope (God willing)Colossians 3 v 4

4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

The transfiguration of Jesus

Spiritual

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