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The Transfiguration

And Jesus said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there are [a]some of those who are standing here who will not taste (experience) death before they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured (changed in form) before them [and began to shine brightly with divine and regal glory];(A) and His clothes became radiant and dazzling, intensely white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Elijah appeared to them along with Moses, and they were having a conversation with Jesus. Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Rabbi (Master), it is good for us to be here; let us make three [sacred] tents—one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he did not [really] know what to say because they were terrified [and stunned by the miraculous sight]. Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and [b]a voice came out of the cloud, “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him and obey Him!” Suddenly they looked around and no longer saw anyone with them, except Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus expressly ordered them not to tell anyone what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they [carefully and faithfully] kept the matter to themselves, [c]discussing and questioning [with one another] what it meant to rise from the dead. 11 They asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first [before the Messiah comes]?”(B) 12 He answered them, “Elijah does come first and restores and reestablishes all things. And yet how is it written of the Son of Man that He will suffer many things [grief and physical distress] and be treated with contempt [utterly despised and rejected]?(C) 13 But I say to you that Elijah has in fact come [already], and they [d]did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written [in Scripture] of him.”

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Footnotes

  1. Mark 9:1 Probably a reference to Peter, John, and James who were to witness the transfiguration a few days later.
  2. Mark 9:7 See note Matt 3:17.
  3. Mark 9:10 The doctrine of the resurrection was a well-known teaching of the Pharisees, so much so that Paul, an educated man, used it to turn the religious leaders against themselves (Acts 23:6-10). The three fishermen were, however, familiar with some of the prophetic Scriptures, but were confused by Jesus’ statements regarding His death and resurrection.
  4. Mark 9:13 This is a reference to Herod’s imprisoning and beheading John the Baptist (6:17-28).

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