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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?

The Transfiguration

17 (A)Six days later, Jesus *took with Him (B)Peter and [a]James, and his brother John, 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 garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If You want, (C)I will make three [b]tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, (D)a voice from the cloud said, “(E)This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell [c]face down to the ground and were terrified. And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and (F)do not be afraid.” And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

(G)When they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, (H)Tell the vision to no one until (I)the Son of Man has (J)risen from the dead.” 10 And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that (K)Elijah must come first?” 11 And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did [d]to him whatever they wanted. So also (L)the Son of Man is going to suffer [e]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 17:1 Or Jacob
  2. Matthew 17:4 Or sacred tents
  3. Matthew 17:6 Lit on their faces
  4. Matthew 17:12 Lit in him; or in his case
  5. Matthew 17:12 Lit by them