The Transfiguration - Introduction

his study comes after an important sequence of events. Peter has just confessed that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God." It was an unexpected, however, true statement. In response, Jesus started showing the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and die. Peter objected because he did not understand that sometimes tragedy is actually beneficial. Then Jesus rebuked Peter declaring that Satan had motivated his comment. Jesus proceeds to tell the disciples that a true disciple is one who is willing to suffer for Him just like those who had died on crosses. Jesus talked about carrying a cross. The disciples understood all about crosses because they had seen many die on that horrible Roman instrument of death during their short lives. The Son of the living God told them that in order to truly be His followers they must die to themselves. Then Jesus surprised them when He said that some of them would see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom before they died.

The Problem. I wonder which of the disciples wanted to see Jesus coming into His kingdom? Did Judas, Matthew or Thomas? I believe that Peter and John wanted to see Jesus come into the kingdom. If we could only have looked into their hearts or heard their thoughts.

What did Jesus mean by this statement? It is obvious to anyone looking at this world today that the kingdom of God has not arrived. The peace, serenity and glory that God has promised (Isaiah 11:1-10) would exist in the kingdom is proof that the kingdom has not arrived yet. We do not have the promised peace and serenity nor do we see the glory of God in our world today, except in the creation and transformed lives. So what did Jesus mean that some would see the kingdom? Did Jesus lie? No! The answer will be provided later in this study.

I suspect that the disciples thought Jesus would actually set-up His earthly kingdom - the one promised by the prophets. I also wonder how many of the disciples were looking forward to that promised event? Did any of them wonder how long, and who would get to see it?

Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. Matt 17:1 ( NASB)

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and brought them up on a high mountain by themselves . . . Mark 9:2 ( NASB)

Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. Luke 9:28( NASB)

Most likely Luke includes portions of the day before and after the six days that Matthew and Mark mention. Luke was a medical doctor and exact in his descriptions. A careful reading of the gospel of Luke and Acts bears witness to his passion for detail.

To the disappointment of some disciples - I am sure - Jesus took only three disciples with Him up to a high mountain; Peter, James and John (Matt. 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:27). These men were part of Jesus' inner circle. Later near the end of Jesus' ministry the inner circle is reduced to Peter and John. But at this point, the inner circle is three men. From Luke 9:32 it is clear that Peter is the leader now in the ministry. These were men who loved Jesus. It appears that Jesus was preparing them for future service.

Most likely the mountain the four men ascended was Mount Hermon which is located near Caesarea Philippi. Matthew 17:1 and Mark 9:2 say it was a high mountain and the highest mountain in the area at an elevation of 9,732 feet. It was not too far from the city of Bethsaida on the east side of the Sea of Galilee.