The Transfiguration

17 After six days(A) Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.(B) He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light.(C) Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up[a] three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”(D)

While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered[b] them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!” (E) When the disciples(F) heard this, they fell facedown and were terrified.

Jesus came up, touched them, and said, “Get up; don’t be afraid.”(G) When they looked up they saw no one except Jesus alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them,(H) “Don’t tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised[c] from the dead.”

10 So the disciples asked him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” (I)

11 “Elijah is coming[d] and will restore everything,” he replied.[e](J) 12 “But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.”(K) 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptist.

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Footnotes

  1. 17:4 Other mss read Let’s make
  2. 17:5 Or enveloped; Ex 40:34–35
  3. 17:9 Other mss read Man has risen
  4. 17:11 Other mss add first
  5. 17:11 Other mss read Jesus said to them

Jesus’ Appearance is Changed(A)

17 Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up a high mountain by themselves. His appearance was changed in front of them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.[a]

Then Peter told Jesus, “Lord, it’s good that we’re here! If you want, I’ll set up three shelters[b]—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when a bright cloud suddenly overshadowed them.

A voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him. Keep on listening to him!”

When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

But Jesus came up to them and touched them, saying, “Get up, and stop being afraid.” When they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus all by himself.

On their way down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Don’t tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

10 So the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

11 He answered them, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, yet people[c] did not recognize him and treated him just as they pleased. In the same way, the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he had been speaking to them about John the Baptist.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 17:3 Lit. him
  2. Matthew 17:4 Or tents
  3. Matthew 17:12 Lit. they