Transfiguration
Peter, James and John went with Jesus up a mountain. There was a transfiguration of Jesus. The group included Moses and Elijah where God showed the glory of Jesus.
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.
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1. Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain. [KJV]
“One purpose of Jesus’ transfiguration (17:1-8) was to give these three disciples an encouraging glimpse of eternal reality. This experience had an unforgettable impact on Peter (2 Pet. 1:16-18) as well as James and John.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
2. “The light shone from within Him rather than upon Him from the outside like a spotlight.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. [Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983], 94)
Jesus “skin and clothes shine with dazzling brilliance and whiteness, suggesting glory, sovereignty, and purity.” (Blomberg, Craig L., The New American Commentary, Volume 22, Matthew. [Nashville: Broadman Press], 263)
3. “Moses and Elijah may represent the two most prominent of the prophets from two divisions of the Old Testament—the Law and the Prophets. The presence of Moses and Elijah with Jesus indicated their complete unity with him.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
Tabernacles
4. Modern translations call the tabernacles: shelters.
“The ‘shelters’ will call to mind the wilderness tabernacles of Moses’ day and suggest some attempt on Peter’s part to make a dwelling place for the three so as to encourage them to stay longer.” (Blomberg, 263)
5. “This is God the Father’s testimony to Jesus, the Son. Jesus is the final authority in matters of revelation.” (McGee, 95)
“In addition to Jesus’ dazzling transformation and the appearance of Moses and Elijah, the awesome display drew to its climax as the cloud of the Shekinah glory came down and the voice of God spoke from the cloud.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
6. “The Father’s proclamation was so frightening that the three disciples were unable to stand and face him, so they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
7. Jesus touched them and told them to get up.
8. “When the disciples look up again, Moses and Elijah have disappeared.” (Blomberg, 264)
Tell No One
9. “As Jesus and His three disciples came down from the mountaintop, He cautioned them not to reveal what they had seen, not even to the other nine disciples.” (Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. [Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004],
“The glimpse of his glory revealed by his transfiguration, like the glimpses given by his other miracles, which generated commands to silence, may not be allowed to hinder his journey to death.” (Blomberg, 265)
10. The disciples were confused and posed a question about Elijah.
11. “Yes, Elijah would come as Malachi 4:5-6 promises. But spiritually speaking, Elijah already came in the person of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10-15; Luke 1:17).” (Wiersbe, 62)
12. “They (v. 12) means Israel, particularly as represented by the hypocritical leaders, who did not recognize John as God’s coming Elijah because of their stubborn blindness and hardness of heart.” [Max Anders and Stuart K. Weber (2012). HNTC Vol. 01: Matthew. B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://read.lifeway.com]
13. “In Matthew’s distinctive conclusion, based on his previous pattern of pointing out the disciples’ insight, we learn these three finally do understand.” (Blomberg, 266)
References
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
In this article Scripture quotations taken from KJV.
Blomberg, Craig L., The New American Commentary, Volume 22, Matthew. Nashville: Broadman Press
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
Robertson, A. T., A Harmony of the Gospels. New York, HarperCollins Publishers
Wiersbe, Warren W, The Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament Volume 1 Matthew-Galatians. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2004
