Jesus' Transfiguration Significance in Luke 9
The Transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Luke 9:28-36, is a pivotal event in the Gospels, described by all three Synoptic evangelists [2]. Luke's account states that "as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling" [1]. This event is understood as a manifestation of Jesus' true glory, confirming Peter's earlier confession that Jesus is the Christ [5].
The Transfiguration occurs "about eight days" after Jesus's teachings concerning his impending suffering and the cost of discipleship [6]. Matthew and Mark specify "after six days," with the difference likely due to Luke including the start and end days in his count [5, 6]. Jesus took Peter, John, and James—his inner circle of disciples—up a mountain [5]. While tradition often places this event on Mount Tabor, modern scholars suggest Mount Hermon or a spur of the Anti-Lebanon range as more likely locations [3].
During this experience, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, conversing with him about his "departure," which is understood to refer to his death [5]. This appearance of key Old Testament figures signifies that Jesus fulfills the prophecies concerning the Messiah [5]. The event served as a "specimen of that glory of his in which he will come to judge the world," offering encouragement to his disciples to endure suffering and remain unashamed of him [4].
The Transfiguration is often seen as a fulfillment of Jesus's earlier promise that some of his disciples would not "taste death before they see the kingdom of God" [7, 9]. It stands as a significant moment in Jesus's public ministry, positioned between his temptation in the wilderness and his agony in Gethsemane [3]. Peter later referred to this event, emphasizing its historical reality and not merely a vision [2]. The dazzling white garments of Jesus are interpreted by some patristic writers as representing the "expressions and letters of the Gospels" or the words in the Apostles that reveal truths about him [8].
Sources
- Luke “As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. -- Luke 9:29”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Transfiguration, the — Of our Lord on a "high mountain apart," is described by each of the three evangelists (Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). The fullest account is given by Luke, who, no doubt, was informed by Peter, who was present on the occasion. What these evangelists record was an absolute historical reality, and not a mere vision. The concurrence between them in all the circumstances of the incident is exact. John seems to allude to it also (John 1:14). Forty years after the event Peter distinctly makes mention of it (2 Pet. 1:16-18). In describing th”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Transfiguration, The — (The event in the earthly life of Christ which marks the culminating point in his public ministry, and stands midway between the temptation in the wilderness and the agony in Gethsemane, (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36) Place . Though tradition locates the transfiguration on Mount Tabor there is little to confirm this view and modern critics favor Mount Hermon, the highest mountain-top in Gaulanitis, or one of the spurs of the Anti-Lebanus. Time .--The transfiguration probably took place at night, because it could then be seen to bet”
- Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 9:28: We have here the narrative of Christ's transfiguration, which was designed for a specimen of that glory of his in which he will come to judge the world, of which he had lately been speaking, and, consequently, an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him, and never to be ashamed of him. We had this account before in Matthew and Mark, and it is well worthy to be repeated to us, and reconsidered by us, for the confirmation of our faith in the Lord Jesus, as the brightness of his Father's glory and the light of the world, for the filling of our minds with high a”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 9:28: 9:28-36 At the transfiguration, Jesus’ true glory was unveiled for three disciples to witness, confirming Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ. Moses and Elijah confirmed that Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. 9:28 About eight days later: Mark says “after six days,” referring to full days, while Luke includes parts of days. • Peter, John, and James were the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples (see also 8:51; Mark 14:32-33). • a mountain: The site of the transfiguration is traditionally regarded as Mount Tabor in southern Galil”
- Luke (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Luke 9:28: JESUS TRANSFIGURED. (Luk 9:28-36) an eight days after these sayings--including the day on which this was spoken and that of the Transfiguration. Matthew and Mark say (Mat 17:1; Mar 9:2) "after six days," excluding these two days. As the "sayings" so definitely connected with the transfiguration scene are those announcing His death--at which Peter and all the Twelve were so startled and scandalized--so this scene was designed to show to the eyes as well as the heart how glorious that death was in the view of Heaven. Peter, James, and John--partners bef”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 9:27: 9:27 This difficult verse has been interpreted as referring to: (1) the second coming of Christ; (2) the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70; (3) the resurrection of Jesus; or (4) the transfiguration, which follows in 9:28-36. The last possibility is the most likely.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — 38. THE GARMENTS WHITE AS THE LIGHT.: And not only is He transfigured before such disciples, nor does He only add to the transfiguration the shining of His face as the sun; but further also to those who were led up by Him into the high mountain apart, His garments appear white as the light.(1) But the garments of Jesus are the expressions and letters of the Gospels with which He invested Himself. But I think that even the words in the Apostles which indicate the truths concerning Him are garments of Jesus, which become white to t”
- Mark (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Mark 9:1: 9:1 The introductory I tell you the truth indicates that the promise in this verse is important, but the meaning of the promise is much debated. It might suggest that some of the disciples will (1) witness Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (ch 16); (2) experience the coming of the Spirit upon the church (Acts 2); (3) see the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70; or (4) witness Jesus’ transfiguration as a foretaste of God’s coming Kingdom. Mark’s placement of the promise right before the transfiguration account (Mark 9:2-8) indicates that he probably meant the transfiguration a”