The Transfiguration

17 And after six days Jesus took along Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothing became bright as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. So Peter answered and[a] said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here! If you want, I will make here three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While[b] he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” And when[c] the disciples heard this,[d] they fell down on their faces and were extremely frightened. And Jesus came and touched them and[e] said, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they[f] lifted up their eyes they saw no one except him—Jesus alone.

And as[g] they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them saying, “Tell no one the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 And he answered and[h] said, “Elijah indeed is coming, and will restore all things. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did with him whatever they wanted. In the same way also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 17:4 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb
  2. Matthew 17:5 Here “while” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“speaking”)
  3. Matthew 17:6 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“heard”) which is understood as temporal
  4. Matthew 17:6 *Here the direct object is supplied from context in the English translation
  5. Matthew 17:7 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“touched”) has been translated as a finite verb
  6. Matthew 17:8 Here “when” is supplied as a component of the participle (“lifted up”) which is understood as temporal
  7. Matthew 17:9 Here “as” is supplied as a component of the temporal genitive absolute participle (“were coming down”)
  8. Matthew 17:11 Here “and” is supplied because the previous participle (“answered”) has been translated as a finite verb

The Transfiguration

17 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials[a]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.

As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man[b] has been raised from the dead.”

10 Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?[c]

11 Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready. 12 But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.” 13 Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist.

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Footnotes

  1. 17:4 Greek three tabernacles.
  2. 17:9 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.
  3. 17:10 Greek that Elijah must come first?