The Transfiguration: When Jesus's Glory Was Revealed on the Mountain

Six days after Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus led three disciples up a high mountain. What happened there became one of the most glorious moments recorded in Scripture:

"There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus." (Matthew 17:2-3, NIV)

For a brief, stunning moment, the veil between heaven and earth lifted. Jesus's glory—normally hidden beneath human flesh—blazed forth in radiant brilliance. Two of Israel's greatest figures materialized from the dead to speak with Him. And the Father's voice thundered from heaven, declaring Jesus's identity to awestruck witnesses.

The Transfiguration (from Latin transfigurare, "to change in form") wasn't just a spectacular display. It was a confirmation of Jesus's divine nature, a preview of His resurrection glory, and a turning point in His ministry as He prepared to face the cross.

But where did this happen? Why these particular witnesses? What were Moses and Elijah discussing with Jesus? And why does Peter's response—building shelters—seem so odd?

Understanding the Transfiguration requires understanding its location, its witnesses, its timing, and its purpose. When we grasp these elements, this mysterious event illuminates Jesus's mission and gives us a glimpse of the glory that awaits all believers.

The Three Accounts: Synoptic Agreement

All three synoptic Gospels record the Transfiguration, with remarkable agreement on the core details:

Matthew's Account (Matthew 17:1-13)

"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them 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. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 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.' 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. Listen to him!' When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. 'Get up,' he said. 'Don't be afraid.' When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." (Matthew 17:1-8, NIV)

Matthew emphasizes:

"Six days" timing (connecting to Caesarea Philippi)
Jesus's face shining "like the sun"
The bright cloud covering them
The disciples' terror and falling facedown
Jesus's comforting touch

Mark's Account (Mark 9:2-13)

"After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus." (Mark 9:2-4, NIV)

Mark emphasizes:

They were "all alone" (privacy on the mountain)
Clothes "whiter than anyone could bleach them" (supernatural whiteness)
Elijah listed before Moses (interesting reversal)

Luke's Account (Luke 9:28-36)

"About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem." (Luke 9:28-31, NIV)

Luke adds unique details:

Purpose: Jesus went up "to pray"
What they discussed: Jesus's "departure" (Greek: exodos—His death, resurrection, ascension)
Moses and Elijah appeared "in glorious splendor"
Peter and the others were "very sleepy" but stayed awake (Luke 9:32)
The disciples were afraid as they entered the cloud (Luke 9:34)

Core Agreement Across All Three

Despite minor variations, all three Gospels agree on:

Timing: Six days (Matthew/Mark) or about eight days (Luke) after Caesarea Philippi
Location: A high mountain, privately
Witnesses: Peter, James, and John only
Transformation: Jesus's appearance changed dramatically—face and clothes radiantly white
Visitors: Moses and Elijah appeared and conversed with Jesus
Peter's response: Wanted to build three shelters
Cloud: A bright cloud covered them
Voice: God's voice declared, "This is my Son... Listen to him!"
Fear: The disciples were terrified
Command of silence: Jesus told them not to tell anyone until after His resurrection

This rare agreement across all three synoptic Gospels underscores the event's importance and its accurate transmission.

The Location: Mount Hermon or Mount Tabor?

The Gospels describe "a high mountain" but don't name it specifically. Two locations compete for identification:

Traditional Location: Mount Tabor

Church tradition since the 4th century places the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, approximately 11 miles west of the Sea of Galilee.

Arguments for Mount Tabor:

Early Christian tradition (Origen, Jerome, Cyril of Jerusalem)
Churches built there commemorating the event
Accessible location near Galilee
Beautiful, symmetrical dome shape
Fits description of "high" for that region

Arguments against Mount Tabor:

Height: Only 1,886 feet (575 meters)—hardly "very high"
Fortress: A Hasmonean/Roman fortress stood at the summit during Jesus's time—not "alone"
Distance: 65 miles south of Caesarea Philippi where Jesus just was
Timing: Difficult to reach in six days from Caesarea Philippi
Privacy: Fortified mountain wouldn't provide the solitude described

Probable Location: Mount Hermon

Mount Hermon offers more compelling geographic and contextual evidence:

Arguments for Mount Hermon:

1. Proximity to Caesarea Philippi

"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi..." (Matthew 16:13)

Jesus was at Caesarea Philippi when Peter made his confession. Caesarea Philippi sits at the base of Mount Hermon. Six days later, Jesus went up "a high mountain" nearby. The natural candidate is the mountain immediately above them—Hermon.

2. True "High Mountain"

Height: 9,232 feet (2,814 meters)—the highest peak in the region
Truly "high": Deserves the description better than Tabor's modest elevation
Snow-capped: Summit has permanent snow, creating natural imagery of dazzling whiteness
Privacy: Remote, uninhabited summit provides true isolation

3. Geographic Continuity

Matthew 17:22 says, "When they came together in Galilee..." suggesting they traveled south back to Galilee after the Transfiguration. If they were already at Mount Tabor (in Galilee), this phrasing doesn't make sense. But descending from Mount Hermon to Galilee does.

4. The "Six Days" Timing

Day 1: Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi
Days 2-5: Teaching and preparation
Day 6: Ascent of Mount Hermon
Transfiguration occurs

The timeline fits perfectly for staying in the Caesarea Philippi region.

5. Spiritual Symbolism

Mount Hermon's profound spiritual significance makes it the perfect location:

Site of rebellion: Where the Watchers descended (1 Enoch 6:6)
Place of corruption: Where angels violated divine order
Gateway to evil: Beginning point of pre-Flood wickedness
Northern boundary: Edge of the Promised Land

The redemptive symbolism:

Where angels fell, the Son of God was glorified
Where rebellion occurred, obedience was displayed
Where heaven wrongly touched earth, it rightly revealed glory
Where darkness originated, light blazed forth

Jesus's transfiguration on Mount Hermon would redeem the very mountain where cosmic rebellion began.

6. The Bright Cloud and Whiteness

Mount Hermon's snow-covered peaks create a natural parallel:

Jesus's clothes became "white as light" (Matthew 17:2)
"Whiter than anyone could bleach them" (Mark 9:3)
The snow at Hermon's summit is brilliantly white
The imagery naturally fits the location

The Verdict

While we can't be absolutely certain, Mount Hermon presents far more compelling evidence than Mount Tabor. The geographic context, timing, height, privacy, and profound spiritual symbolism all point to Hermon as the likely location.

Early Christian tradition favored Mount Tabor largely because it was more accessible for pilgrims and already had Christian communities nearby. But the biblical evidence favors Hermon.

The Witnesses: Why Peter, James, and John?

Jesus brought only three disciples—why these three?

The Inner Circle

Peter, James, and John formed an inner circle among the Twelve, present at key moments others missed:

1. Raising of Jairus's Daughter (Mark 5:37)

Only these three witnessed Jesus raise a dead girl to life.

2. The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1)

This glorious revelation was shared with only these three.

3. Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37)

Only these three accompanied Jesus deeper into the garden during His agony.

The pattern: At moments of extreme glory (Transfiguration) and extreme suffering (Gethsemane), Jesus brought these three closest.

Why These Three Specifically?

Peter:

Leader of the Twelve
Spokesman for the group
Recently confessed Jesus as Messiah (Matthew 16:16)
Would deny Jesus three times but be restored
Needed strengthening for future leadership

James:

First apostle to be martyred (Acts 12:2)
Needed this glimpse of glory before facing violent death
Brother of John, son of Zebedee
Part of the "Sons of Thunder" (Mark 3:17)

John:

"The disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 13:23)
Longest-living apostle
Would write five New Testament books
Needed the experience to write about Jesus's glory (John 1:14)
Present at the cross (John 19:26-27)

Together, they represented:

Leadership (Peter)
Martyrdom (James)
Long witness (John)

These three would carry the memory of Jesus's glory through:

Peter's denial and restoration
James's martyrdom
John's decades of ministry and exile

The Transfiguration strengthened them for what lay ahead.

Why Not All Twelve?

Practical reasons:

Climbing a 9,000-foot mountain with twelve men is difficult
Privacy was essential for this revelation
Not all were spiritually ready for this experience

Theological reasons:

Moses brought only Joshua partway up Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:13)
Jesus brought only three partway into His glory
Some revelations are given to specific people for specific purposes
Greater revelation requires greater spiritual capacity

Progressive revelation: Just as the inner three saw more than the Twelve, and the Twelve saw more than the crowds, God reveals Himself progressively based on readiness and purpose.

The Transformation: Jesus's Glory Revealed

The central event was Jesus's transfiguration—the Greek word μεταμορφόω (metamorphoō), meaning "to transform" or "to change in form."

Physical Changes

Face:

"His face shone like the sun." (Matthew 17:2, NIV)

Not reflected light (like Moses's face reflecting God's glory in Exodus 34:29-35), but emanating light from within. Jesus's divine nature, normally veiled by flesh, blazed forth.

Clothes:

"His clothes became as white as the light... whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them." (Matthew 17:2, Mark 9:3, NIV)

Supernatural whiteness beyond human achievement. The description emphasizes purity, holiness, and otherness—this was glory no earthly process could produce.

Appearance:

"The appearance of his face changed." (Luke 9:29, NIV)

His very form was altered. This wasn't makeup or lighting—His actual appearance transformed into something transcendent.

What the Disciples Saw

The disciples witnessed:

Jesus's divine nature: The glory He possessed before creation (John 17:5)
His resurrection body: A preview of what He would be after rising from death
His heavenly glory: How He appears at the Father's right hand
His second coming: How He will return—in glory and majesty (Matthew 24:30)

This was no miracle performed on someone else—this was Jesus revealing who He truly is beneath the human flesh.

Theological Significance

1. Confirmation of Deity

Peter had just confessed, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). The Transfiguration confirmed this confession. Jesus wasn't just a man claiming divinity—He possessed actual divine glory.

2. Fulfillment of Prophecy

"His face shone like the sun." (Matthew 17:2)

This echoes Daniel's vision:

"His face was like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches." (Daniel 10:6, NIV)

And John's vision in Revelation:

"His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance." (Revelation 1:16, NIV)

The Transfiguration demonstrated Jesus as the fulfillment of apocalyptic prophecies about God's Messiah.

3. Preview of Resurrection

The glory revealed at the Transfiguration was the same glory Jesus would possess after resurrection:

Appearance transformed
Emanating light
Transcending earthly limitations
Moving between heaven and earth

The disciples saw what Jesus would permanently become after conquering death.

4. Priesthood Confirmation

The bright cloud and God's voice echoed Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-18), where God gave the Law through Moses. Jesus's transfiguration on a mountain with God's voice declaring "Listen to him!" positioned Jesus as the new and greater Moses—the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.

The Visitors: Moses and Elijah

Two figures appeared with Jesus—why these two specifically?

Moses: Representing the Law

Moses (1526-1406 BCE, traditional dating) was Israel's greatest lawgiver and prophet.

His significance:

Received the Law on Mount Sinai
Led Israel out of Egypt
Mediated the Old Covenant
Wrote the Torah (first five books)
Spoke with God "face to face" (Exodus 33:11)

His death: Deuteronomy 34:5-6 records that God buried Moses, and no one knows where. This mysterious burial becomes relevant—Moses appears at the Transfiguration despite having died 1,400 years earlier.

His presence at the Transfiguration symbolized:

The Law
The Old Covenant
God's written revelation
Israel's salvation history

Elijah: Representing the Prophets

Elijah (9th century BCE) was one of Israel's greatest prophets.

His significance:

Called down fire from heaven (1 Kings 18)
Confronted wicked King Ahab
Raised the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24)
Challenged Baal worship
Was taken to heaven without dying (2 Kings 2:11)

His translation: Unlike Moses who died, Elijah was taken directly to heaven in a whirlwind, riding a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). He never experienced death.

His presence at the Transfiguration symbolized:

The Prophets
God's spoken word
Expectation of Messiah
Zeal for God's glory

Together: The Law and the Prophets

Moses and Elijah together represented the entirety of Old Testament Scripture:

The Law: Torah (Moses)
The Prophets: Nevi'im (Elijah)

This was the Jewish way of referring to what we call the Old Testament. Their appearance testified that:

Jesus fulfills all of Scripture
The Old Testament points to Christ
The Law and Prophets find their completion in Him
All Scripture bears witness to Jesus (Luke 24:27)

Why These Two Specifically?

1. Mountain Encounters with God

Both Moses and Elijah had profound encounters with God on mountains:

Moses on Mount Sinai:

Received the Ten Commandments
Face shone after seeing God's glory
Spent forty days on the mountain
Mediated the covenant

Elijah on Mount Horeb (Sinai):

Fled there after defeating Baal's prophets
Experienced God in "a gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:12)
Received renewed commission
Prophesied Ahab's judgment

Both men's mountaintop experiences with God made them fitting witnesses to Jesus's mountaintop transfiguration.

2. Both Left Mysteriously

Moses: God buried him; no one knows where (Deuteronomy 34:6)

Elijah: Taken to heaven without dying (2 Kings 2:11)

Their mysterious departures made their reappearance at the Transfiguration even more remarkable—proof that:

Those who die in faith live on
God can bring back even the dead
The veil between heaven and earth is thin
Resurrection and eternal life are real

3. Messianic Expectations

Jewish tradition expected both to return:

Moses redivivus: Some expected Moses to return (based on Deuteronomy 18:15—"a prophet like me")

Elijah's return: Malachi 4:5 explicitly prophesied Elijah's return before the "great and dreadful day of the Lord"

Their appearance demonstrated:

Messianic prophecies were being fulfilled
Jesus was greater than Moses and Elijah
The age of fulfillment had arrived

What They Discussed: Jesus's Exodus

Luke provides the crucial detail other Gospels omit:

"They spoke about his departure [ἔξοδος, exodos], which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem." (Luke 9:31, NIV)

The Greek word exodos literally means "exit" or "departure"—the same word used for Israel's Exodus from Egypt. But in context, it refers to Jesus's:

Death
Resurrection
Ascension

This wasn't small talk—they discussed Jesus's mission: His coming sacrifice, His victory over death, and His return to the Father.

Why this conversation mattered:

Moses led the first exodus (from physical slavery in Egypt)
Jesus would lead the ultimate exodus (from spiritual slavery to sin and death)
Elijah had experienced being taken to heaven—now Jesus would ascend after resurrection
Both understood suffering and obedience—preparing Jesus for the cross

The conversation confirmed that:

Jesus's death was planned and purposeful
His suffering fulfilled God's eternal design
Even the greatest Old Testament saints knew the Messiah must suffer
The cross wasn't defeat but victory

Peter's Response: Building Shelters

Peter's reaction to this glorious vision seems odd:

"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.'" (Matthew 17:4, NIV)

Mark adds: "He did not know what to say, they were so frightened" (Mark 9:6)

Luke adds: "He did not know what he was saying" (Luke 9:33)

What Peter Meant

"Shelters" (Greek: σκηνή, skēnē; Hebrew: סֻכָּה, sukkah):

Temporary dwelling places
Tabernacles or booths
Associated with the Feast of Tabernacles

Peter's intentions (probably):

1. Prolong the moment

Don't let this glory end
Stay here forever
Avoid returning to the difficult path ahead

2. Honor all three equally

One shelter each for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah
Treating them as equals
Missing Jesus's supremacy

3. Celebrate like Tabernacles

The Feast of Tabernacles celebrated God dwelling with Israel
Building booths commemorated wilderness wandering
Perhaps Peter thought the Messianic age had arrived

4. Capture and contain the glory

Build something permanent
Create a shrine
Institutionalize the experience

What Peter Got Wrong

1. Missed the mission

Jesus came to die, not to stay on the mountain. The Transfiguration was a preview, not the destination. Peter wanted to freeze time when Jesus needed to move forward.

2. Misunderstood Jesus's supremacy

Three equal shelters implied Moses and Elijah were on par with Jesus. But Jesus is greater than Moses and Elijah combined. He didn't come to join them—He came to fulfill what they represented.

3. Avoided the cross

Peter's suggestion echoed his earlier rebuke of Jesus (Matthew 16:22): "Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!" Both times, Peter tried to divert Jesus from suffering. But the path to resurrection requires the cross.

4. Tried to capture what can't be contained

You can't bottle glory, freeze revelation, or institutionalize encounter. God's presence can't be shrined—it must be followed.

What Peter Got Right

"It is good for us to be here"—at least Peter recognized the privilege of experiencing this moment!

Despite his misguided suggestion, Peter's heart was in the right place. He wanted to stay in God's presence, honor Jesus, and preserve the experience. The problem wasn't his desire but his method.

God's response came immediately, cutting Peter off mid-sentence.

The Father's Voice: Divine Confirmation

"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. Listen to him!'" (Matthew 17:5, NIV)

The Bright Cloud

The cloud signaled God's presence—the same cloud (Shekinah glory) that:

Led Israel through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21)
Filled the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:34)
Filled Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8:10-11)
Covered Mount Sinai when God gave the Law (Exodus 24:15-18)

"Bright" cloud: Not dark and foreboding but radiant—full of glory and light.

When the cloud covered them, the disciples entered God's presence. Luke adds they "were afraid as they entered the cloud" (Luke 9:34)—a natural response to encountering holiness.

The Father's Declaration

"This is my Son"—echoes Jesus's baptism (Matthew 3:17), confirming His identity

"Whom I love"—expresses the eternal love between Father and Son

"With him I am well pleased"—declares approval of Jesus's mission and character

"Listen to him!"—commands obedience and attention

Three Critical Points

1. Jesus's Supremacy Over Moses and Elijah

Peter wanted to honor all three equally. God's voice silenced that suggestion:

"This is my Son"—Jesus alone holds this unique relationship
Not "These are my servants" (Moses and Elijah)
But "This is my Son"

Moses and Elijah were servants.

Jesus is the Son.

The Father effectively said: "Peter, you're right that it's good to be here—but don't put my Son on the same level as His servants."

2. Transfer of Authority from the Law and Prophets

"Listen to him!"—specifically commands obedience to Jesus.

Not:

"Listen to Moses" (though Israel did for 1,400 years)
"Listen to Elijah" (though he confronted kings)
"Listen to all three equally"

But: "Listen to HIM"—Jesus alone.

The New Covenant supersedes the Old. The ultimate revelation has come. Moses gave the Law, Elijah spoke for God, but Jesus IS God's final Word (Hebrews 1:1-2).

3. Confirmation of Peter's Confession

Six days earlier, Peter had declared: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).

Now, the Father confirmed Peter's confession from heaven:

"This is my Son"—Peter was right
God revealed it to Peter (Matthew 16:17)
God now publicly declares it

The Transfiguration was God's "Amen" to Peter's confession.

The Disciples' Response: Terror and Comfort

"When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified." (Matthew 17:6, NIV)

Terror was appropriate—they had:

Seen Jesus's divine glory
Witnessed dead saints appear
Heard God's voice from heaven
Entered the cloud of His presence

This was holy fear—recognition of their smallness before God's majesty.

But Jesus responded:

"But Jesus came and touched them. 'Get up,' he said. 'Don't be afraid.' When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus." (Matthew 17:7-8, NIV)

His actions:

Touched them: Physical reassurance
Spoke: "Get up" and "Don't be afraid"
Remained: When they looked up, only Jesus was there

The symbolism:

Moses (Law) was gone
Elijah (Prophets) was gone
The cloud (God's presence) had departed
But Jesus remained

The message: In Jesus, we have everything. The Law and Prophets pointed to Him. God's presence dwells in Him. We don't need Moses, Elijah, special experiences, or theophany clouds—we have Jesus.

And He says: "Don't be afraid."

The Command of Silence

"As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, 'Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.'" (Matthew 17:9, NIV)

Why the silence?

1. Misunderstanding risk

If the disciples told others about the Transfiguration, people might:

Try to make Jesus an earthly king immediately
Miss the necessity of the cross
Expect constant glory instead of patient faith
Misinterpret Jesus's mission

2. Timing

The Transfiguration would only make sense after the resurrection. Before then, it would confuse rather than clarify. Only after Jesus died and rose could people understand why He was transfigured between dying and rising.

3. The cross must come first

Glory follows suffering. Resurrection follows crucifixion. The crown comes after the cross. Revealing the Transfiguration too soon might cause people to skip straight to glory without understanding the cost.

"Until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead"—the Transfiguration testifies to resurrection. Once Jesus rose, the disciples could explain: "We saw His glory before He died, confirming He would rise again."

Spiritual Lessons for Today

The Transfiguration holds profound applications for modern believers.

1. Jesus Is Sufficient

"They saw no one except Jesus" (Matthew 17:8)—the ultimate lesson.

You don't need:

Experiences (though God may give them)
Special revelations (Scripture is sufficient)
Moses (the Law is fulfilled)
Elijah (prophecy is complete)
Mystical clouds (the Holy Spirit indwells you)

You need Jesus—and in Him, you have everything.

Modern application: Stop chasing experiences and pursue Jesus Himself. The glory isn't in the experience but in the Person.

2. Glory Follows Suffering

The Transfiguration occurred between Peter's confession and Jesus's death. It was a preview of resurrection glory, but the path to that glory led through the cross.

Your transfigurations (moments of glory, spiritual highs, answered prayers) are previews, not destinations. They strengthen you for the valleys ahead.

Modern application: Don't expect constant mountaintop experiences. God gives glimpses of glory to sustain you through suffering.

3. Listen to Jesus

"Listen to him!"—the Father's command.

Not to:

Religious traditions (Moses)
Prophetic movements (Elijah)
Popular opinion
Your feelings
Cultural pressure

But to Jesus—His words in Scripture, His Spirit's guidance, His example.

Modern application: In a noisy world with competing voices, prioritize Jesus's words above all others. When Scripture contradicts culture, listen to Jesus.

4. Don't Try to Capture Glory

Peter wanted to build shelters—institutionalize and contain the experience. But God's presence can't be shrined or bottled.

The danger today:

Building programs around past moves of God
Trying to recreate past experiences
Institutionalizing what was meant to be dynamic
Preferring the familiar over following God forward

Modern application: Follow God's presence rather than trying to capture it. Be willing to leave past glories to pursue present purposes.

5. Face Changes You

Moses's face shone after encountering God (Exodus 34:29-35).

Jesus's face shone revealing His divine nature (Matthew 17:2).

Our faces change when we behold Him:

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory." (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)

Modern application: Spending time with Jesus changes you. The more you see His glory (in Scripture, worship, prayer), the more you reflect that glory.

Conclusion: The Glory That Sustains

Six days after Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi, Jesus led three disciples up a mountain—likely Mount Hermon, rising 9,000 feet above where the Watchers had descended millennia earlier.

There, on the mountain of ancient rebellion, Jesus revealed redemptive glory.

His face shone like the sun. His clothes became dazzling white. Moses and Elijah—the Law and the Prophets—appeared and discussed His coming "exodus" in Jerusalem. The Father's voice thundered from a bright cloud: "This is my Son. Listen to him!"

For Peter, James, and John, the vision seared into their memories. Decades later, Peter would write:

"We were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.' We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain." (2 Peter 1:16-18, NIV)

That vision sustained them through:

Jesus's crucifixion
Peter's denial and restoration
James's martyrdom
John's exile
Decades of persecution
The long wait for Jesus's return

The Transfiguration taught them:

Jesus's glory is real, even when hidden
Suffering is temporary; glory is coming
The Law and Prophets point to Christ
God confirms His Son's identity and mission
They would see His glory again

And it teaches us: When the path grows dark, when the cross seems too heavy, when you question whether it's worth it—remember the mountain.

Jesus was transfigured. The glory is real. The resurrection is certain. The kingdom is coming.

And one day, we will be transfigured too:

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform [metamorphoō—same word as Transfiguration] our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21, NIV)

The glory Jesus revealed on the mountain is the glory we will share.

So when you're tempted to give up, remember the Transfiguration. The glory is real. The promise is certain. Jesus has been there before you.

And He says: "Don't be afraid."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Jesus wait six days after Peter's confession before the Transfiguration?

The "six days" (Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:2) connects the Transfiguration to Peter's confession at Caesarea Philippi. Luke says "about eight days" (Luke 9:28), which is also consistent (counting inclusively or approximately). The delay may have allowed time for teaching, travel preparation, and the disciples to process Peter's confession before seeing Jesus's glory confirmed.

Q: Was the Transfiguration on Mount Hermon or Mount Tabor?

While church tradition since the 4th century places it on Mount Tabor, biblical evidence strongly favors Mount Hermon: (1) Jesus was at Caesarea Philippi at Hermon's base six days earlier, (2) Hermon is truly "very high" at 9,232 feet vs. Tabor's 1,886 feet, (3) Hermon provided privacy while Tabor had a fortress, (4) The geography and timing make more sense with Hermon.

Q: How did Moses appear if he had died 1,400 years earlier?

Moses's appearance demonstrates several truths: (1) Those who die in faith continue to exist consciously with God, (2) God can bring back even the dead for His purposes, (3) The soul survives death, (4) Resurrection and eternal life are real. Moses's presence testified that death doesn't end existence and prefigured the coming resurrection.

Q: Why did Peter want to build three shelters?

Peter likely meant well but misunderstood the situation. He may have wanted to: (1) prolong the glorious moment, (2) honor all three equally (missing Jesus's supremacy), (3) celebrate like the Feast of Tabernacles, or (4) avoid the difficult path ahead. The Gospels note he "didn't know what to say" (Mark 9:6) and "didn't know what he was saying" (Luke 9:33)—he spoke from fear and confusion.

Q: What was the "departure" (exodus) Moses and Elijah discussed with Jesus?

Luke 9:31 uses the Greek word exodos (same as Israel's Exodus from Egypt), referring to Jesus's death, resurrection, and ascension in Jerusalem. This wasn't casual conversation—they discussed the central event of history: Jesus's sacrifice that would accomplish the ultimate exodus from sin and death. The greatest Old Testament saints understood the Messiah must suffer to save.

Q: Why couldn't the disciples tell anyone until after the resurrection?

Jesus commanded silence (Matthew 17:9) because: (1) People might misunderstand and try to make Him an earthly king immediately, (2) The Transfiguration only makes sense after the resurrection—it's a preview of resurrection glory, (3) The cross had to come before the crown, (4) Revealing it too soon would confuse rather than clarify His mission.

Q: What does the Transfiguration mean for Christians today?

The Transfiguration shows: (1) Jesus's divine nature—He is God, (2) His resurrection glory—what He became after rising, (3) Our future transformation—we will be like Him (Philippians 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2), (4) The reality of eternal life—Moses and Elijah appeared alive, (5) Scripture's fulfillment—the Law and Prophets point to Christ, (6) Our need to listen to Jesus above all other voices.

All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.