About the Text
(1) Why did Jesus bring only three of the disciples
to the mountain? One explanation is that Jesus only needed three witnesses (cf.
Deut 17:6) to authenticate the transfiguration. Another explanation is that these three
men symbolized the three men (Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu) who followed Moses up Mount Sinai
(cf. Deut 24:9)
(2) What is a "transfiguration"? A synonym is the word
"metamorphosis." Jesus' form and appearance changed, just as a caterpillar
changes to a butterfly.
(3) Who are Moses and Elijah, and why were they there beside Jesus? In
the Old Testament, Moses was the great lawgiver of God who led God's people out of slavery
in Egypt. Elijah was the great prophet of God during the time of the kings of Israel. The
appearance of both men symbolize how the Law and Prophetic writings testify to the
divinity of Jesus Christ. Also, it is interesting to note that the bodies of these two men
were never found. Moses was buried but his body could have been taken to heaven (see Deut.
34:6, Jude 9)
(4) Why did Peter want to put up three "shelters"? Peter want
to set up tents. Mark 9:6 says that he spoke out of ignorance, being so terrified at the
sight of the transfiguration.
(6) Why were the disciples so terrified? Because they came face to face
with the awesome glory (e.g. brilliance) of God. The voice and light of God are so
powerful that they instill not only awe, but also fear. God said in Exodus 33:20,
"you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live." In Ex. 34:29, Moses
face gave off a light because he spoke with God. In Deut. 18:16, the Israelites were
terrified to death upon hearing Gods voice.
(9) Why didn't Jesus want the disciples to tell anyone what they saw? The
time wasn't ripe. First, no one would be likely to believe them until after the
resurrection. Second, many would not understand the transfiguration at that time. For not
even the disciples fully understood Jesus' work at that time (cf. Mark 9:10). And third,
the news would counteract against Jesus' immediate teaching that He must suffer and die.
(10) Why the disciples ask about Elijah? After seeing Jesus' divine glory
in the transfiguration, they remembered the teaching from Malachi 4:5-6, a 400-year old
prophecy, that Elijah must come before the "day of the Lord" comes. They
thought, if the "day of the Lord" has come, then where was Elijah?
(13) How can John the Baptist be Elijah when in John 1:21 he denied it?
The answer is in Luke 1:17. John the Baptist was not the same person as Elijah, but came
in the "spirit and power" of Elijah. This is what Jesus meant when he referred
to John the Baptist as Elijah.
Insights
God's glorious splendor isso awesome that it evokes fear.
Christ loves us so much that He gave up His divine splendor to suffer for us.
We will see the full glory of Jesus someday.
The Bottom Line
Don't worry, have faith. The little
problems of this world are nothing compared to the day when you will see the Lord in His
full majesty. There will be streets of sapphire, thousands of angels, booming voices, and
the Lord Jesus in dazzling white. The transfiguration was only a sneak preview.
Believers also have this for their comfort and joy in life: that Jesus loved you so much
that He came down from His throne, to suffer, die, and rescue you from the tyranny of the
devil.
Key Memory Verse
"This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am
well pleased. Listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5, also 3:17)