The Transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 17:1–9, Mark 9:2–9, and Luke 9:28–36, revealed His divine glory and affirmed His identity as the Son of God to His closest disciples. It served as a powerful confirmation of who He is, what He came to do, and how the Old Covenant pointed to Him.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There, He was transfigured before them:
“His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2)
This supernatural transformation allowed the disciples to glimpse Christ’s divine nature, which had been veiled in His humanity.
Moses and Elijah appeared, representing the Law and the Prophets. Their presence signified that all of Scripture testified to Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. They spoke with Him about His upcoming death in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31), confirming that the cross was central to God’s purpose.
Then God the Father spoke from a bright cloud:
“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5)
This declaration echoed the voice at Jesus’ baptism and highlighted His authority. The command to “hear Him” confirmed that Jesus, not Moses or Elijah, is the ultimate revelation of God’s will.
The disciples fell on their faces in fear, but Jesus comforted them. This moment taught them reverence and reassured them that they were in the presence of the true Messiah.
The Transfiguration prepared the disciples for the suffering and death of Christ by anchoring their faith in His divine identity. It also pointed forward to the glory of the resurrection and the future kingdom.
In summary, the Transfiguration displayed Jesus’ deity, affirmed Old Testament prophecy, and strengthened the faith of His disciples by revealing His majesty before the trials to come.
