1Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Chapter 17, unfortunately, breaks the flow of the context beginning at 16:27, which speaks of the coming Millennial kingdom (16:27-17:13).
17:1
Now after six days
Luke includes the days of the confession at Caesarea and the day of the Transfiguration (eight days). Matthew and Mark refer to the six intervening days.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to the Mount of Transfiguration six days after the incident at Caesarea Philippi. The New Testament does not name the mountain.
17:2
and He was transfigured before them [in their presence]. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
Jesus transfigured Himself (literally—changed in form) into the glory of the Shekinah symbolizing the presence of God. This is a Christophany. This previewed the coming Millennial kingdom Matthew indicated in 16:28.
17:3
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.
Moses and Elijah appeared to the four, representing the Law and Prophets.
17:4
Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
Peter made a rash suggestion that they build three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. (Peter later referred to this occasion in 2 Peter 1:12ff.) His suggestion was a grave mistake.
17:5
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them;
This was similar to the Shekinah glory cloud in Israel’s wandering in the wilderness.
and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
The Father rebuked Peter for comparing Jesus with Moses and Elijah, because Jesus was His unique Son. The Father’s statement authenticated Jesus as the unique Son of God.
17:6
And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.
The voice of the Father shocked the three disciples, so they fell on their faces.
17:7
But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”
Jesus allayed their fears by His personal touch.
17:8
When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Jesus is the center of the Millennial kingdom and the final revelation. The purpose of the Transfiguration was to demonstrate that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God. He will fulfill in time and space God’s purpose. The Transfiguration was a foretaste of coming victory.
PRINCIPLE:
The Transfiguration of Jesus is a preview of the coming Millennial kingdom of Christ.
APPLICATION:
The Transfiguration of Jesus foreshadowed His ultimate vindication and glorification. Jesus will come in the full glory of God.
