The Transfiguration

2022-09-04

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. (Matthew 16:28)

In the first three gospels, this statement is followed by the great Transfiguration. The “some standing here” would be Jesus’ three core disciples. This event constitutes a glimpse of the Son coming in His kingdom. Moses was back from the dead while Elijah was back from heaven. They saw the Son in His glory, perhaps like what John saw in Revelation 1:10-20.

The Transfiguration happened exactly six days after Jesus said this. It was approximately eight days afterwards, as Luke says it. Luke approximates (“about an eight days”), while Matthew and Mark give the exact number of days. You are dealing with independent accounts. What they say does not contradict, but there are nuances in each account that help us with understanding, all under the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Our Lord went up a high mountain with His core three, Peter, James, and John, and in someway underwent a “metamorphosis,” with His face and clothing shining brightly. Moses, perhaps representing the Law, and Elijah, perhaps representing the prophets, spoke with our Lord about His upcoming death at Jerusalem. The Law and the Prophets bear witness to His death.

Peter’s saying is strange, perhaps because of a sleep that had overcome him coupled with fear: “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias” (Matthew 17:4).

Why abide with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah? The Father intervenes at this juncture: “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him” (Matthew 17:5).

It is not Moses, Elijah, or some other prophet that we pursue. It is Jesus the Son of God whom we serve. Moses and Elijah may have been among the greatest men in the Old Testament, but Jesus is supreme over all.