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Six days after saying this, Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up onto a high mountaintop by themselves. There He was transformed so that His clothing became intensely white, brighter than any earthly cleaner could bleach them. Elijah and Moses appeared to them and talked with Jesus.

Peter (to Jesus): Teacher, it’s a great thing that we’re here. We should build three shelters here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

He was babbling and did not know what he was saying because they were terrified by what they were witnessing.

Then a cloud surrounded them, and they heard a voice within that cloud.

Voice: This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.

All of a sudden, they looked about and all they had seen was gone. They stood alone on the mountain with Jesus.

On their way back down, He urged them not to tell anyone what they had witnessed until the Son of Man had risen from the dead, 10 so they kept it all to themselves.

Mark doesn’t usually record events with much attention to chronology; but in this case, he mentions that the transfiguration took place six days after Peter’s confession of Jesus’ identity. In a dramatic confirmation of the truth Peter has spoken, the three disciples see that Jesus is indeed the Anointed One of God. The veil of Jesus’ human nature is pulled away, and the glory of His divinity shines through.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah shows that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and the answer to all the promises of the prophets. The disciples hear God’s own voice commanding them to listen to Jesus as His beloved Son. What an incredible confirmation of the truth that Peter spoke in faith only six days before!

Disciples (to one another): What does He mean, “Until the Son of Man is risen”?

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The Transfiguration(A)(B)

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John(C) with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white,(D) whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(E) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud:(F) “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”(G)

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone(H) what they had seen until the Son of Man(I) had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

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