THE TRANSFIGURATION
Key verse: 7
NIV
The Transfiguration(A)(B)
17 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John(C) the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”
5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.(D) Listen to him!”(E)
6 When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”(F) 8 When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone(G) what you have seen, until the Son of Man(H) has been raised from the dead.”(I)
10 The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
11 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.(J) 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come,(K) and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.(L) In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer(M) at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.(N)
Cross references
- Matthew 17:1 : 17:1-8pp — Lk 9:28-36
- Matthew 17:1 : 17:1-13pp — Mk 9:2-13
- Matthew 17:1 : S Mt 4:21
- Matthew 17:5 : S Mt 3:17
- Matthew 17:5 : Ac 3:22, 23
- Matthew 17:7 : S Mt 14:27
- Matthew 17:9 : S Mk 8:30
- Matthew 17:9 : S Mt 8:20
- Matthew 17:9 : S Mt 16:21
- Matthew 17:11 : Mal 4:6; Lk 1:16, 17
- Matthew 17:12 : S Mt 11:14
- Matthew 17:12 : Mt 14:3, 10
- Matthew 17:12 : S Mt 16:21
- Matthew 17:13 : S Mt 3:1
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
The Transfiguration
17 (A)And after six days Jesus took with him (B)Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was (C)transfigured before them, and (D)his face shone like the sun, and (E)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 (F)Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, (G)a bright cloud overshadowed them, and (H)a voice from the cloud said, (I)“This is my beloved Son,[a] with whom I am well pleased; (J)listen to him.” 6 When (K)the disciples heard this, (L)they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and (M)touched them, saying, “Rise, and (N)have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
9 (O)And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, (P)“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 (Q)that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and (R)he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but (S)did to him whatever they pleased. (T)So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 (U)Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Matthew 17:5 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved
Cross references
- Matthew 17:1 : For ver. 1-8, see Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36
- Matthew 17:1 : ch. 26:37; Mark 5:37
- Matthew 17:2 : [2 Cor. 3:18 (Gk.)]
- Matthew 17:2 : Rev. 1:16; 10:1
- Matthew 17:2 : Dan. 7:9; [ch. 28:3; Ps. 104:2]
- Matthew 17:4 : [Mal. 4:5]
- Matthew 17:5 : 2 Pet. 1:17; [Ex. 24:15, 16]
- Matthew 17:5 : 2 Pet. 1:17; [Ex. 24:15, 16]
- Matthew 17:5 : See ch. 3:17
- Matthew 17:5 : Acts 3:22
- Matthew 17:6 : 2 Pet. 1:18
- Matthew 17:6 : [Gen. 17:3; Ezek. 1:28; Rev. 1:17]
- Matthew 17:7 : Dan. 8:18; 10:10, 18
- Matthew 17:7 : ch. 14:27
- Matthew 17:9 : For ver. 9-13, see Mark 9:9-13
- Matthew 17:9 : See ch. 8:4; 12:16
- Matthew 17:10 : See ch. 11:14; Mal. 4:5, 6
- Matthew 17:11 : Luke 1:16, 17; [Acts 1:6; 3:21]
- Matthew 17:12 : ch. 14:3, 10
- Matthew 17:12 : ch. 16:21
- Matthew 17:13 : ch. 16:12
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
Six days after Jesus had predicted his suffering, he brought Peter along with James and John up a mountain. There, he was transfigured before them. They were given a glimpse of Jesus’ majestic glory.
To a casual observer there was nothing in Jesus’ likeness that might cause someone to be impressed. Rather, there was a lot that happened to Jesus that could make us grieve. In order to get a full picture, we should also have a glimpse of Jesus’ glory and his acceptance by God his Father. In the midst of all Jesus went through, his true glory and the love and acceptance of God more than sustained him.
Suffering can be unbearable without knowing the bigger picture. We can feel drowning in whatever trouble we are in, but if we trust in God and in his word of hope, we may find that suffering is not the whole story. It is temporary, and even meaningful in the fullness of one’s life.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see the glory of Jesus in the midst of my own suffering. Help me to hear your word and remember your love for me when I am struggling. Give me strength to go through today, in the assurance of your love and power.
One Word: Don’t be afraid
