Matthew 17:1-13
Expanded Bible
The Transfiguration on the Mountain(A)
17 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, [L and led them] up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 ·While they watched [In their presence; In front of them], Jesus’ appearance was ·changed [transformed; T transfigured]; his face ·became bright [shined] like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 Then Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. [C God had given the Law through Moses, and Elijah was an important prophet (see Mark 6:15); together they signify that Jesus fulfills the OT.]
4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will put up three ·tents [shelters; shrines; tabernacles; Lev. 23:42] here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [C Perhaps Peter wanted to prolong their stay or to commemorate their visit.]
5 While Peter was talking, [L look; T behold] a bright cloud ·covered [overshadowed; Ex. 24:15] them. A voice came from the cloud and said, “This is my ·Son, whom I love [dearly beloved Son; Ps. 2:7; Gen. 22:2], ·and I am very pleased with him [in whom I take great delight; Is. 42:1; Matt. 3:17]. Listen to him [Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22]!”
6 When his ·followers [disciples] heard the voice, they were so frightened they fell ·to the ground [L on their faces]. 7 But Jesus went to them and touched them and said, “Stand up. Don’t be afraid.” 8 ·When they looked up [Lifting up their eyes], they saw ·Jesus was now alone [L no one except Jesus alone].
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ·commanded [instructed] them not to tell anyone about ·what they had seen [the vision] until the Son of Man had ·risen [been raised] from the dead.
10 Then his ·followers [disciples] asked him, “Why do the ·teachers of the law [scribes] say that Elijah must come first [C that is, before the Messiah comes; Mal. 3:1; 4:5]?”
11 Jesus answered, “·They are right to say that Elijah is coming and that [L Elijah is indeed coming, and] he will ·make everything the way it should be [restore/prepare everything]. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him. They did to him whatever they wanted to do. It will be the same with the Son of Man; those same people will make the Son of Man suffer.” 13 Then the ·followers [disciples] understood that Jesus was talking about John the Baptist.
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