Learn the Story of Jesus
Season 5: Revealing the King
5.1 — The Transfiguration
5.1 — The Transfiguration: The disciples receive a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory and hear the Father’s command: “Listen to Him.”
5.1 — The Transfiguration
A Glimpse of the King’s Glory
The disciples had spent months following Jesus.
They had watched Him heal the sick, calm storms, cast out demons, feed thousands, and teach with authority unlike anyone they had ever known.
Peter had recently declared:
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
The disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah.
Yet they still did not fully understand who He was.
Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain.
There, they witnessed something extraordinary.
For a brief moment, the veil was pulled back.
The disciples saw a glimpse of Jesus’ divine glory.
The event became one of the most important revelations in the Gospels.
The Transfiguration confirmed that Jesus was more than a prophet, more than a teacher, and more than a miracle worker.
He was the Son of God.
Scripture References
Matthew 17:1–13
Mark 9:2–13
Luke 9:28–36
Exodus 24
Exodus 34:29–35
Daniel 7:13–14
Malachi 4:5–6
The Story
Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him up a mountain to pray.
While they were there, His appearance changed before them.
His face shone like the sun.
His clothing became dazzling white.
Suddenly, two familiar figures appeared with Him.
Moses and Elijah stood speaking with Jesus.
The disciples were astonished.
Peter, overwhelmed by the moment, suggested building three shelters—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.
While Peter was speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them.
A voice came from the cloud:
“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”
The disciples fell face down in fear.
When they looked up again, only Jesus remained.
As they descended the mountain, Jesus instructed them not to tell others what they had seen until after His resurrection.
Understanding the Story
What Does “Transfiguration” Mean?
The word transfiguration means “to be transformed in appearance.”
For a brief moment, Jesus’ divine glory became visible.
The disciples saw something that had normally been hidden during His earthly ministry.
Why Were Peter, James, and John Chosen?
These three disciples often witnessed important moments in Jesus’ ministry.
They were present at the raising of Jairus’ daughter.
They would later accompany Jesus into Gethsemane.
Here they witnessed His glory on the mountain.
Why Was Peter’s Response Significant?
Peter wanted to remain on the mountain and preserve the moment.
Like many people, he preferred glory without understanding the suffering that would soon come.
Jesus was preparing His disciples for both.
Understanding Jesus
Why Moses and Elijah?
Moses represented the Law.
Elijah represented the Prophets.
Together they symbolized the Old Testament Scriptures.
Their presence demonstrated that Jesus fulfilled everything God had promised through the Law and the Prophets.
The entire story of Scripture points toward Him.
What Were They Discussing?
Luke tells us they were speaking about Jesus’ “departure,” referring to His coming death, resurrection, and ascension.
Even in this moment of glory, the cross remained central to God’s plan.
Why Did the Voice Speak Again?
A similar voice had spoken at Jesus’ baptism.
At the Transfiguration, God the Father again affirmed Jesus’ identity.
The command:
“Listen to Him”
reminded the disciples that Jesus possessed authority greater than Moses, Elijah, or any other teacher.
Understanding Jesus: Mountains in the Bible
Mountains often serve as places where God reveals Himself.
Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai.
Elijah encountered God on a mountain.
Now Jesus is revealed in glory on a mountain.
Throughout Scripture, mountains frequently become places of revelation, worship, prayer, and encounter with God.
The Transfiguration connects Jesus to these earlier events while showing that He is greater than all who came before Him.
Old Testament Connections
The Transfiguration contains numerous Old Testament echoes.
Moses’ face shone after meeting with God on Mount Sinai.
Jesus’ face shines with His own glory.
A cloud accompanied God’s presence during the Exodus.
A cloud now surrounds Jesus and the disciples.
Moses represented the Law.
Elijah represented the Prophets.
Jesus stands as the fulfillment of both.
The event confirms that God’s promises are coming to completion in Christ.
Understanding Jesus: Mountains in the Bible
Mountains often serve as places where God reveals Himself.
Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai.
Elijah encountered God on a mountain.
Now Jesus is revealed in glory on a mountain.
Throughout Scripture, mountains frequently become places of revelation, worship, prayer, and encounter with God.
The Transfiguration connects Jesus to these earlier events while showing that He is greater than all who came before Him.
Old Testament Connections
The Transfiguration contains numerous Old Testament echoes.
Moses’ face shone after meeting with God on Mount Sinai.
Jesus’ face shines with His own glory.
A cloud accompanied God’s presence during the Exodus.
A cloud now surrounds Jesus and the disciples.
Moses represented the Law.
Elijah represented the Prophets.
Jesus stands as the fulfillment of both.
The event confirms that God’s promises are coming to completion in Christ.
Missing Context Check
Did Moses and Elijah Return From the Dead?
The Gospels simply state that Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus.
The focus is not on explaining how this occurred but on what their presence revealed about Jesus.
Why Did Peter Want to Build Shelters?
The idea may connect to the Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration of God’s presence with His people.
Peter wanted to honor the moment and remain there.
However, the disciples could not stay on the mountain.
The mission would continue.
Why Is This Event Important?
The Transfiguration provides one of the clearest revelations of Jesus’ divine identity before His crucifixion.
The disciples would later look back on this event as confirmation of who Jesus truly was.
A Deeper Look: Glory Before the Cross
The Transfiguration occurs shortly after Jesus begins teaching about His coming suffering and death.
The disciples struggled to understand.
Why would the Messiah suffer?
Why would the King die?
The Transfiguration provided encouragement.
Before the cross came glory.
Before suffering came a reminder of who Jesus truly was.
The disciples would need that memory in the difficult days ahead.
Key Themes
Jesus Is the Son of God
The Father publicly affirms His identity.
Jesus Fulfills the Scriptures
The Law and the Prophets point to Him.
Glory and Suffering Belong Together
The Messiah would suffer before entering glory.
Listen to Jesus
The Father’s command remains important for believers today.
Why This Lesson Matters
People often want God’s blessings without God’s process.
The disciples wanted to stay on the mountain.
Jesus led them back down into everyday life and ministry.
The Transfiguration reminds believers that God’s glory is real, even when life becomes difficult.
It also encourages Christians to trust Jesus when they do not fully understand God’s plan.
Connecting to Jesus
The Transfiguration reveals Jesus as:
The Son of God.
The Messiah.
The Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
The King of Glory.
The One worthy of worship and obedience.
Living the Message
This week:
Read Matthew 17:1–13.
Reflect on what this event reveals about Jesus.
Spend time listening for God’s direction through Scripture and prayer.
Trust God during seasons when His plans seem difficult to understand.
Remember that God’s glory often becomes clearer with time.
Reflection Questions
Why did Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus?
Possible answers:
They represented the Law and the Prophets and pointed to Jesus as their fulfillment.
What did the voice from heaven say?
Possible answers:
“This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him.”
Why is the Transfiguration important?
Possible answers:
It reveals Jesus’ divine glory and confirms His identity as God’s Son.
What does the event teach about Scripture?
Possible answers:
The Old Testament points toward and is fulfilled in Jesus.
Why couldn’t the disciples remain on the mountain?
Possible answers:
God’s mission required them to continue following Jesus into the challenges ahead.
GROW Framework
Grounded in Scripture
Jesus was revealed in glory before Peter, James, and John.
Reasons We Believe
The Transfiguration confirms Jesus’ divine identity and fulfillment of God’s promises.
Obedience in Action
Spend time listening to Jesus through Scripture and prayer.
Walk It Out
Ask God to help you trust Him even when you do not fully understand His plans.
Related Pages
Understanding Jesus: Cultural Insights
Mountains in the Bible (future page)
Feasts and Festivals in the Time of Jesus
Feasts, Festivals, Seasons, and the Jewish Calendar
Continue Learning
4.9 — Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
For a brief moment, the disciples saw the glory of the King.
The mountain experience would not last.
But the truth they witnessed would remain forever:
Jesus is the beloved Son of God.
Learn more about Christian discipleship and spiritual growth through worship, study, prayer, service, and daily faith at PGUM.org.
