Mark 9:2-6 (NKJV) Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— 6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
V2 “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.” Six days after verse 1, Jesus with His inner circle of Peter, James, and John go with Him. They are His witnesses. Both Peter and John mention this in their writings: Peter (2 Peter 1:15-18) and John (John 1:14). James was martyred (Acts 12:2). This mountain is not identified.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes: “The unnamed location was probably a southern ridge of Mount Hermon (ca. 9,200 feet) about 12 miles northeast of Caesarea Philippi (cf. Mark 8:27; Mark 9:30, Mark 9:33). This is preferable to Mount Tabor in Galilee. The “high mountain” was an appropriate site in view of God’s previous self-disclosure to Moses and Elijah on Mount Sinai (Horeb; cf. Exodus 24:12-18; 1Ki 19:8-18). The Greek word for transfigured is (G3339) μεταμορφόω metamorphóō, which means (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “This word, predominantly middle or passive, means ‘to change into another form.’ The change may be an external one, or a change of state, or an inner change.”
A good comment about this: (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Abridged – Little Kittel)) “What is promised to believers takes place already for Jesus as the bearer of a unique call. It does so as the anticipation and guarantee of the new reality. It shows that the glory of consummation is the goal of his way of suffering and death. As regards believers, transformation begins already in this life. Seeing the glory of the Lord in the Spirit, they are changed into the image of him whose glory they see (2 Cor. 3:18). This is not mystical deification but a reattainment of the divine likeness. It does not take place by rituals but by the ministry of the Spirit. It is not for an elite few but for all Christians. It is not just a hope for the future (cf. 1 Cor. 15:44ff.) but begins already with the coming of the Spirit as a deposit. It carries with it an imperative (Rom. 12:2). Set in the new aeon, Christians must reshape their conduct in accordance with it. This takes place as their minds and wills are renewed by the Spirit. They are thus to become what they are. [J. BEHM, IV, 742-59]”
V3 “His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” Why the change in clothes? They reflect Jesus’s heavenly glory as God the Son, King of kings, Savior, holiness, purity, and all things good. Peter was the eyewitness while Mark writes Peter’s memory of this event. Peter had difficulty communicating how bright and white Jesus’s clothes were.
V4 “And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” Elijah means Elijah, and Moses means Moses. They are not symbolic, though an application is made that Elijah represents the prophets and Moses represents the Law. They are not in a state of soul sleep but appearing, alert, and talking.
V5 “Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” The tabernacles, tents, and booths refer to the temporary shelters that Israel used during their wilderness wanderings (Leviticus 23:39-43).
V6 “Because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.” Peter, being nervous, just started talking. Having never seen such a display of glory, most were speechless, but not Peter. The fear here is from the display of never-seen glory. Moses did see His glory in Exodus 33:18-23.
We learn:
- About the majesticness of the Lord Jesus.
- Moses and Elijah are alive and conscious.
Questions:
- How would we respond to such a sight?
- Do we believe in the majesty of the Lord Jesus?