The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1-13, 22-23 (ESV)
Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:22-23
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.
Study Guide Questions:
Observation
What specific details does Matthew provide about the setting of this event (time, location, people present) and what Old Testament stories might they remind us of?
What two Old Testament figures appear and what do they represent in the story of the Bible?
What was the final, simple command given and what was the disciples' response?
Interpretation questions
Why is it significant that Jesus’s face and clothes shone with their own light, rather than reflecting light from another source like Moses did? What does this tell us about who he is? [07:07]
Peter wanted to build three tents. In what ways can building projects or religious busyness sometimes be a way of avoiding the harder call to simply listen and obey?
The vision of glory on the mountain and the prediction of suffering on the cross happen back-to-back. How does holding these two truths together change our understanding of what true glory and power look like?
Jesus tells the terrified disciples to "rise" and "have no fear." Given that approaching God's glory was typically fatal, why were they able to get up and live? What does this moment reveal about Jesus’s ultimate purpose?
Life Application
What is one "lesser glory" you are currently pursuing (in career, family, hobbies, etc.)? How can you enjoy it as a good gift from God while letting it point you toward the greater glory of Christ?
When you face a difficulty or season of suffering, how does the truth that the cross and the glory are united give you a different perspective on what God might be doing?
If you truly believed you were completely forgiven and heard Jesus say "rise" to you, what specific area of guilt or shame would you walk away from? What renewed motion would that freedom allow in your life?
Based on the passage, what do you believe the measure of a "successful" Christian life or church ministry is?
What is one thing you could do to prioritize listening to Jesus over simply being busy for him?