Significance of the Transfiguration Account in Matthew and Luke
The Transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36, marks a pivotal moment in Christ's public ministry, situated between his temptation in the wilderness and his agony in Gethsemane [3]. This event is presented as an absolute historical reality, not merely a vision, with the evangelists providing consistent accounts of the circumstances [1].
In this event, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, his inner circle of disciples [6]. Matthew describes Jesus's face shining "like the sun" and his garments becoming "as white as the light" [2]. Luke's account is considered the fullest, possibly informed by Peter, who was present [1]. While tradition places the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, modern scholars often favor Mount Hermon or one of its spurs [3]. The event likely occurred at night, allowing the radiance to be more clearly seen [3, 8].
The Transfiguration served several significant purposes. It unveiled Jesus's true glory, confirming Peter's earlier confession that Jesus was the Christ [6]. Matthew Henry suggests it was intended as a "specimen and an earnest of the kingdom of Christ," providing a glimpse of his divine light and love to his chosen disciples [4]. Peter himself later referred to this event as evidence of "the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:16-18), indicating its importance in confirming his faith [1, 4].
During the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, conversing with him [1]. Their presence confirmed that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah [6]. This appearance also prompted a discussion about the expectation of Elijah's return before the Messiah, which Jesus clarified by pointing to John the Baptist [9]. The event is also understood as a divine affirmation of Jesus's impending suffering and death, which he had recently announced to his disciples [5]. It demonstrated to them that his death, though scandalous to some, was glorious in the eyes of Heaven [5]. Matthew Henry notes that the Transfiguration was designed to encourage disciples to suffer for Christ and not be ashamed of him, by showcasing his glory [7].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Transfiguration, the — Of our Lord on a "high mountain apart," is described by each of the three evangelists (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). The fullest account is given by Luke, who, no doubt, was informed by Peter, who was present on the occasion. What these evangelists record was an absolute historical reality, and not a mere vision. The concurrence between them in all the circumstances of the incident is exact. John seems to allude to it also (John 1:14). Forty years after the event Peter distinctly makes mention of it (2 Pet. 1:16-18). In describing th”
- Matthew “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. -- Matthew 17:2”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Transfiguration, The — (The event in the earthly life of Christ which marks the culminating point in his public ministry, and stands midway between the temptation in the wilderness and the agony in Gethsemane, (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) Place . Though tradition locates the transfiguration on Mount Tabor there is little to confirm this view and modern critics favor Mount Hermon, the highest mountain-top in Gaulanitis, or one of the spurs of the Anti-Lebanus. Time .--The transfiguration probably took place at night, because it could then be seen to bet”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 17:1: We have here the story of Christ's transfiguration; he had said that the Son of man should shortly come in his kingdom, with which promise all the three evangelists industriously connect this story; as if Christ's transfiguration were intended for a specimen and an earnest of the kingdom of Christ, and of that light and love of his, which therein appears to his select and sanctified ones. Peter speaks of this as the power and coming of our Lord Jesus (Pe2 1:16); because it was an emanation of his power, and a previous notice of his coming, which was fitly introdu”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 9:28: JESUS TRANSFIGURED. (Luk 9:28-36) an eight days after these sayings--including the day on which this was spoken and that of the Transfiguration. Matthew and Mark say (Mat 17:1; Mar 9:2) "after six days," excluding these two days. As the "sayings" so definitely connected with the transfiguration scene are those announcing His death--at which Peter and all the Twelve were so startled and scandalized--so this scene was designed to show to the eyes as well as the heart how glorious that death was in the view of Heaven. Peter, James, and John--partners bef”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 9:28: 9:28-36 At the transfiguration, Jesus’ true glory was unveiled for three disciples to witness, confirming Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ. Moses and Elijah confirmed that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. 9:28 About eight days later: Mark says “after six days,” referring to full days, while Luke includes parts of days. • Peter, John, and James were the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples (see also 8:51; Mark 14:32-33). • a mountain: The site of the transfiguration is traditionally regarded as Mount Tabor in southern Galil”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 9:28: We have here the narrative of Christ's transfiguration, which was designed for a specimen of that glory of his in which he will come to judge the world, of which he had lately been speaking, and, consequently, an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him, and never to be ashamed of him. We had this account before in Matthew and Mark, and it is well worthy to be repeated to us, and reconsidered by us, for the confirmation of our faith in the Lord Jesus, as the brightness of his Father's glory and the light of the world, for the filling of our minds with high a”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 9:37: This passage of story in Matthew and Mark follows immediately upon that of Christ's transfiguration, and his discourse with his disciples after it; but here it is said to be on the next day, as they were coming down from the hill, which confirms the conjecture that Christ was transfigured in the night, and, it should seem, though they did not make tabernacles as Peter proposed, yet they found some shelter to repose themselves in all night, for it was not till next day that they came down from the hill, and then he found things in some disorder among his disciples, t”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 17:10: 17:10-13 Elijah’s presence at the transfiguration prompted a question about the view that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes (see Mal 4:5-6). In pointing to John the Baptist, Jesus reinforced the unexpected idea that the Messiah must suffer, even as his precursor had suffered (Matt 14:3-12).”