The true meaning of the transfiguration of Jesus
Most Christians are aware of the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. This story is found in the Gospel of Matthew 17:1-8. This is also found in Mark 9:1-13 and Luke 9:28-36 (All three accounts can be found at the bottom of this post.)
Jesus took 3 of his disciples, Peter, James and John up into a high mountain.
Matthew 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Jesus was then transfigured in front of them
Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Jesus being transfigured simply means that Jesus appeared to the 3 disciples in his future glorified body.
Notice that the face of Jesus is stated as shining like the sun. We see that Paul saw a light when Jesus appeared to him after Jesus’ ascension to heaven.
Acts 9: 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
We are told that Jesus will be the light of the new Jerusalem and there will be no need of the sun.
Revelation 21: 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Also in Revelation 1 we get a description of the glorified Jesus and again we are told that his countenance, his appearance, was as the sun shining in its strength.
Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
While the story of the transfiguration may well be known to most, the reality is that most Christians are actually unaware of the spiritual meaning that underlies the narrative and so miss the true meaning of the story and just what this represents. In this study we shall look a little deeper at what the transfiguration actually meant.
The first thing we need to know is that this event, the transfiguration of Jesus was actually a vision (of Peter, James and John) and not an actual real life event. Jesus did not literally change rather this is what the 3 disciples saw.
We know this was a vision as Jesus himself told them NOT to tell the vision to anyone UNTIL the son of man was risen from the dead.
Matthew 17: 9And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.
The true meaning behind the vision.
This vision of the transformation has a very important spiritual meaning behind it, it actually depicts and demonstrates the difference between the 2 covenants, the ending of one, the Old Testament covenant and being under the law, and the beginning of another, the New Testament covenant and being under the new law of Christ.
So lets delve into it.
The transfiguration happens not long after Jesus had first told his disciples that he was going to die.
Matthew 16: 21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
Notice that Peter is stated as rebuking Jesus regarding his statement.
Peter had just declared Jesus as the Christ
Matthew 16: 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The key to heaven that Jesus gave Peter was this very fact, that Jesus was the Christ, and it is that fact that Jesus would build his church.
See my writing Jesus did not build his church on Peter
But also, it comes just 6 days after Jesus had told his disciples that there would be some that some of his disciples would not die before they saw Jesus coming in his kingdom.
Matthew 16: 28 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 17: 1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart
When Matthew was originally written there were no chapters and verses. Matthew 17:1 directly comes after Matthew 16:28
The 3 disciples saw the son of Man coming in his kingdom.
In the Gospel of Mark we see that it is recorded that Jesus states that some of the disciples would not taste death until they had seen the kingdom of God come with Power.
Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
In the passage in 2 Peter notice that Peter also refers to the power
2 Peter 1: 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
The book of Romans tells us the Jesus was declared the son of God with POWER by his resurrection.
Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
The three disciples were asleep at the time the vision began and awoke to see their vision in full flow.
Luke 9:32But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
As we are told, they “saw” the glory of Jesus and with him they also saw 2 men that stood with him.
The glory of Jesus refers to his death and resurrection from the dead
The 2 men that were seen with Jesus were Moses and Elijah as stated in Matthew.
Matthew 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
The importance of these 2 men is also usually total missed. Significantly these 2 men represented the law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). Both Moses and the prophets pointed to Jesus as he explained to 2 of his disciples after he had resurrected
Luke 24: 24 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
The disciples did not truly understand the coming death of the Messiah and his resurrection.
Moses and Elijah represented the vision that Zechariah saw in chapter 4 of the book of Zechariah.
Zechariah 4:11Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
Moses and Elijah were the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth (who was Jesus after his resurrection).
We should not ignore the fact that both Moses and Elijah were on Mount Sinai/Horab and the LORD passed them by
Exodus 33:17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 21And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: 22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
So there is certainly some parallelism being shown here.
Peter then asked Jesus if it was good for the disciples to be there and then said that they would make 3 tabernacles, one for each, Jesus, Moses and Elijah.
Matthew 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, 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.
As Peter spoke a cloud came over them and they were scared as the cloud encompassed them. .
Luke 9:34 While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
The word overshadowed is also used of Mary when it is said that the Holy Spirit overshadowed her when she became pregnant with Jesus.
The Greek word translated as overshadow is ἐπισκιάζω episkiazó, and gives the sense of a covering. There is a thematic connection between them, which is the son of God.
Then God spoke saying that Jesus was his son (son of God connection) and in him he was well pleased. He also made a very important statement to the disciples “HEAR YE HIM.”
Matthew 17:5 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.
This is also stated in the other two accounts.
Mark 9: 7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Luke 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
The story of the transfiguration is also recalled by Peter
2 Peter 1:16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
Notice here that Peter refers to being eyewitnesses, this explains why Jesus took with him the 3 disciples as the Bible states at the witness of two or three is a matter shown true
Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hearthee, thentake with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
Which is actually part of the OT law
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
The 3 men were told that they were to listen to Jesus.
They were even more afraid and they fell on their faces. But Jesus came to them and told them not to be afraid.
Matthew 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
It was not unique for Jesus to comfort people when a miracle was happening and tell them to not be afraid.
Matthew 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water
Mark 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
John 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.20 But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.21Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
Acts 18: 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.9Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
When the the disciples looked up after Peter had asked if they should build 3 tabernacles, only Jesus remained
Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
Both Moses and Elijah had gone. And this is where the significance is often missed or not understood.
The story symbolises the end of the law and the prophets. The law of Moses and the prophets were gone and Jesus was left. God stating “here ye him” was God asserting that it was now Jesus that the disciples were to listen to.
God had stated in the Old Testament that he would raise up a prophet like unto Moses and he would put HIS (Gods) words in his (the prophets) mouth and he (the prophet) would speak all what he (God) would command him.
Deuteronomy 18:15The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 16According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 17And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.18I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
This is vitally important, it is to this prophet that the Israelites were told to listen to., now we have God stating that we are to listen to Jesus.
Also God states that Jesus is his beloved son which is a reference back to the Old Testament prophecy regarding the son of David who would establish the kingdom for ever.
Matthew 17: 5 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.
2 Samuel 7:13 He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. 14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
Jesus superseded the law of Moses and the prophets.
Jesus is the high priest of the new covenant and where there is a new high priest it is required that there be a new law.
Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
See my writing for full details on this
http://www.followintruth.com/jesus-ended-the-law-how-why-and-when-what-does-this-mean-for-new-covenant-believers
The law of the first covenant, given through Moses, was to end and God was no longer going to speak through the prophets but rather through his son
Hebrews 1:1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
There was no need for the disciples to make 3 tabernacles. Only one was required. The true tabernacle that the Lord and not man pitched.
Hebrews 8:8 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; 2 a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Jesus is the more perfect tabernacle.
Hebrews 9:11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
The tabernacle was where God had “dwelt” with his people before the temple was created.
Exodus 25:8And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
Interestingly Luke records that Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus about his “decease”
Luke 9: 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
The Greek word translated as decease is ἔξοδος exodos.
Just as the first Exodus in the Old Testament, where Moses freed Gods people from the bondage of slavery, Jesus freed his people from the bondage of the law
Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Jesus said the truth will set you free.
John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus proclaimed himself the truth
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
And when the son sets you free you are free indeed
John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The significance of the transfiguration symbolises the change of the Old covenant attested to through Moses and the prophets, to the New covenant which is through Jesus Christ after his death, resurrection and glorification.
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