Reasons for Selecting Peter James and John for Transfiguration
Jesus selected Peter, James, and John to witness his Transfiguration on a high mountain, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke [1, 4]. This event occurred "after six days" according to Matthew and Mark, or "about an eight days after" according to Luke, with the difference likely stemming from whether the start and end days are included in the count [4, 6].
The choice of these three disciples is often interpreted as deliberate, highlighting their particular roles and spiritual readiness. Thomas Aquinas suggests that Christ desired to reveal his glory to men and inspire a longing for eternal beatitude [2]. The Transfiguration, occurring as Jesus approached his Passion, was designed to demonstrate the heavenly glory inherent in his impending death [4].
These three disciples were frequently chosen by Jesus for significant events. They were "partners" in their fishing trade before becoming disciples [4]. They also witnessed Jesus's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he "began to be sore amazed" at the weight of sin and divine wrath [8]. Peter, James, and John were also present when Jesus raised Jairus's daughter from the dead (Mark 5:37).
The specific roles of these disciples are sometimes noted in tradition. Peter, for instance, was recognized by James and John as having the "Gospel of the circumcision committed" to him, while Paul had the "Gospel of the uncircumcision" [7]. During the Transfiguration itself, Peter spoke up, suggesting the building of three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, after he and the others awoke from sleep [9]. While some early manuscripts suggest the disciples did not understand the reasons for Christ's death and resurrection immediately after the Transfiguration, other accounts imply they gained a general understanding of this important subject from that time [5]. Origen, a patristic commentator, also notes that those "led up by Jesus into the high mountain" were "deemed worthy of beholding His transfiguration" [3].
Sources
- Mark “Mark 9:2 (YLT) — And after six days doth Jesus take Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up to a high mount by themselves, alone, and he was transfigured before them,”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of Christ's Transfiguration, Art. 3: Article: Whether the witnesses of the transfiguration were fittingly chosen? I answer that, Christ wished to be transfigured in order to show men His glory, and to arouse men to a desire of it, as stated above (Article [1]). Now men are brought to the glory of eternal beatitude by Christ---not only those who lived after Him, but also those who preceded Him; therefore, when He was approaching His Passion, both "the multitude that followed" and that "which went before, cried saying: 'Hosanna,'" as related M”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — 36. CONCERNING THE TRANSFIGURATION OF THE SAVIOUR.: "Now after six days," according to Matthew and Mark,(3) "He taketh with him Peter and James and John his brother, and leads them up into a high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them." Now, also, let it be granted, before the exposition that occurs to us in relation to these things, that this took place long ago, and according to the letter. But it seems to me, that those who are led up by Jesus into the high mountain, and are deemed worthy of beholding His transfigura”
- 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”
- Mark (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Mark 9:32: But they understood not - This whole verse is wanting in two MSS., in the first edition of Erasmus, and in that of Aldus. Mill approves of the omission. It does not appear likely, from Matthew's account, that three of the disciples, Peter, James, and John, could be ignorant of the reasons of Christ's death and resurrection, after the transfiguration; on the contrary, from the circumstances there related, it is very probable that from that time they must have had at least a general understanding of this important subject; but the other nine might have been ignorant of ”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 17 (introduction): That is, so long after Christ's conversation with his disciples at Caesarea Philippi, Peter's confession of him, and the reproof he gave him, upon his intimating that he should suffer and die, and Christ's resentment of it; after he had discoursed about his disciples taking up their cross, and following him; and of men's losing and finding their lives; and after the promise, or prophecy, that he had given out, that some then present should not die, until he came into his kingdom. Mark says the same as here, Mar 9:2 but Luk 9:28 says, it was about an eigh”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 2:7: But contrariwise, when they saw that the Gospel,.... James, Cephas, and John, were so far from blaming or correcting anything in the apostle's ministry, or adding anything to it, that they highly approved of it; and as a token of their agreement with him and Barnabas, gave them the right hand of fellowship: the reasons of their so doing are inserted here, and in the following verse, and in the next to that: the reason here given is, because they saw that the Gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the Gospel of the circumcision was to Peter; by "the”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 14:32: And he taketh with him Peter, and James, and John,.... Who were witnesses of his transfiguration on the mount, and now of his sorrows in the garden: and began to be sore amazed; to be in great consternation and astonishment, at the sight of all the sins of his people coming upon him; at the black storm of wrath, that was gathering thick over him; at the sword of justice which was brandished against him; and at the curses of the righteous law, which, like so many thunderbolts of vengeance, were directed at him: no wonder it should be added, and to be very heavy: bot”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 17:4: Then answered Peter and said unto Jesus,.... Which was, as Luke informs us, after he, and James, and John, awoke out of sleep; for it being night when Christ was transfigured, and they weary, were overpressed, and fell asleep on the mount, as they afterwards did in the garden with him: but when they were awaked, either by the talk of the men with Christ, or by the rays of brightness and glory, which darted from them, and especially from Christ, to their great surprise; they saw the glory that was upon him, and observed the two men that were with him, who appeared als”