Matthew 17:1-13 - The Transfiguration

¹ Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. ² And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Then Peter began to speak and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good and delightful and auspicious that we are here; if You wish, I will put up three [sacred] tents here—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”

⁶ When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

⁷ But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” ⁸ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. ⁹ And as they were going down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

¹⁰ The disciples asked Him, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

¹¹ He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; ¹² but I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him, but did to him as they wished. The Son of Man is also going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

² Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured (changed in form) before them [and began to shine brightly with divine and regal glory]; ³ and His clothes became radiant and dazzling, intensely white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. ⁴ Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were having a conversation with Jesus.

⁵ Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Rabbi (Master), it is good for us to be here; let us make three [sacred] tents—one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ For he did not [really] know what to say because they were terrified [and stunned by the miraculous sight].

⁷ Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him and obey Him!”

⁸ Suddenly they looked around and no longer saw anyone with them, except Jesus alone.

⁹ As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus expressly ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they [carefully and faithfully] kept the matter to themselves, discussing and questioning [with one another] what it meant to rise from the dead.

¹¹ They asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first [before the Messiah comes]?”

¹² He answered them, “Elijah does come first and restores and reestablishes all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things [grief and physical distress] and be treated with contempt [utterly despised and rejected]? ¹³ But I say to you that Elijah has in fact come [already], and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written [in Scripture] of him.”

²⁸ Now about eight days after these teachings, He took along Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ As He was praying, the appearance of His face became different [actually transformed], and His clothing became white and flashing with the brilliance of lightning. ³⁰ And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, ³¹ who appeared in glory, and were speaking of His departure [from earthly life], which He was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

³² Now Peter and those who were with him had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and splendor and majesty, and the two men who were standing with Him. ³³ And as these [men, Moses and Elijah] were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is delightful and good for us to be here; we should make three [sacred] tents; one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not realizing what he was saying.

³⁴ But even as he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were [greatly] afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, My Chosen One; listen and obey and yield to Him!”

³⁶ When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found there alone. And they kept silent, and told no one at that time any of the things which they had seen [concerning the divine manifestation].