Matthew 17:1-13 The Transfiguration

Prayer

The Transfiguration of Messiah Yeshua is one of the most significant events in the life of our Savior. What happened during that event was a foreshadow of things to come that would impact all believers who put their faith in Messiah Yeshua. 

Peter, James, and John (the brother of James) had the fortunate privilege of witnessing The Transfiguration in order to declare what they saw to the disciples not present and all disciples of Messiah Yeshua, past, present and future. Several conversations ensued between some of those who were present that would confirm instructions Yeshua had revealed to His disciples prior to His transfiguration and point to what would take place in the days ahead.

Join in with us as we join this powerful meeting and listen in to the discussion that took place during The Transfiguration and discover how this miraculous event prophetically signals the impact on all believers today.

This event is covered by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

As we have discussed in previous teachings and in Discipleship 101, Mark nor Luke were listed amongst the disciples of Yeshua.

It is safe to conclude that both Mark and Luke received testimony of this event from Peter after the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua.

Mark’s Gospel narrative most likely came from the testimony of Peter and other of Yeshua’s disciples that Mark knew. Also, Peter spent time meeting in Mark’s home according to Acts 12.

Ac 12:11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 

Ac 12:12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

Luke stated in the beginning of his Gospel narrative:

Lk 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 

Lk 1:2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 

Speaking of the apostles and disciples of Yeshua:

Lk 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 

Lk 1:4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

Luke investigated: The only eyewitnesses in the transfiguration were Peter, James, and John. 

Mt 17:1 And after six days Yeshua taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 

After six days from the discussion Yeshua had with His disciples and Peter was rebuked by Him, Yeshua takes Peter, James and John up a high mountain to pray.

Luke stated that the reason they went up on the mountain was to pray.

Lk 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 

While they were praying, Yeshua was transfigured.

Mt 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 

Transfigured – 3339 μεταμορφόω metamorphoo {met-am-or-fo'-o} 

Meaning:  1) to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure 1a) Messiah appearance was changed and was resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration

Usage:  AV - transfigure 2, transform 1, change 1; 4

Mt 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 

Luke stated they went up to pray.

Lk 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. 

Lk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 

According to Luke they were talking about His exodus.

Lk 9:30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 

Lk 9:31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 

Decease – 1841 ἔξοδος exodos 

{ex'-od-os} 

Meaning:  1) exit i.e. departure 2) the close of one's career, one's final fate 3) departure from life, decease 

Usage:  AV - decease 2, departing 1; 3

The word exodus is used in reference to Joseph.

Heb 11:22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

Moses and Elijah talked with Yeshua about His death/departure/decease/exodus that would take place at Jerusalem.

Lk 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 

Lk 9:33 And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Yeshua, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

Mt 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Yeshua, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 

This statement gives us a window into Peter’s thinking. It would take time to build the tabernacles, this indicated he planned to be there for a while.

Mt 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 

While Peter was speaking, Father interrupted him and spoke to them to listen to Yeshua.

Mt 17:6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 

Mt 17:7 And Yeshua came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 

Mt 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Yeshua only. 

Mt 17:9 And as they came down from the mountain, Yeshua charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 

Yeshua gave them instructions to not tell anyone, and according to Mark, they kept that to themselves discussing it with one another.

Luke wrote, they told no man in those days, indicating before the resurrection.

Lk 9:36 And when the voice was past, Yeshua was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

Mark wrote that they kept the saying to themselves.

Mk 9:10 And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 

Mk 9:11 And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come?

Mt 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 

The question was posed because it was well known and taught by the scribes, the teachers of the law, that before the Messiah comes, Elijah had to come according to the prophets.

Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 

Mal 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

Mt 17:11 And Yeshua answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 

Mt 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. 

When YeHoVaH’s angel appeared to Zacharias, he spoke these words to him.

Lk 1:15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. Lk 1:16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. Lk 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Yeshua, had informed His disciples back in Matthew Chapter 11:

Mt 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 

Mt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 

Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 

Mt 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 

Mt 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

Mt 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Interestingly, those who follow Jewish traditions look for Elijah every Passover seder, even through Yeshua said Elijah had already come.

By keeping Jewish traditions, many Messianics disregard Yeshua’s teaching.

On a different note, we also will experience a transfiguration.

Transfiguration examples and experiences based on the word in Romans 12:2, transformed.

Ro 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Ro 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

2nd Corinthians 3:18 changed 

2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

It was from that event on the mountain that Peter wrote in his epistle: 

2Pe 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 

2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 

2Pe 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 

2Pe 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 

2Pe 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.