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In this lesson:
This lesson begins the final phase of Jesus' ministry, "The Passion." Jesus tells His disciples that He will go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and then resurrected (16:21-23). What it costs to be a disciple (16:24-28). Jesus is transfigured (17:1-13). Study Tip: Take a few minutes before studying the Bible to pray and ask God to open your heart to His teachings. |
The mount of transfiguration.
By the Italian renaissance artist and architect Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (1483-1520). |
What is the transfiguration?
Transfiguration is a Greek word meaning "to change in form" or "to be transformed." When Jesus was transfigured, His divine nature shone through His human form. Jesus' face shining like "the sun" and His clothes "white as light" (17:2) proves that He is the long-awaited Messiah.
"The transfiguration scene contains, in miniature, all the elements of the future kingdom in manifestation (2 Peter 1:15-21): (1) the Lord Jesus, not in humiliation but in glory (verse 2); (2) Moses, in glory, representative of the redeemed who have passed through death into the kingdom (Matthew 13:43); (3) Elijah, in glory, representative of the redeemed who have entered the kingdom by translation (1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17); (4) Peter, James, and John, not glorified, representatives, for the moment, of Israel in the flesh in the future kingdom (Ezekiel 37:21-27); and (5) the multitude at the foot of the mountain (verse 14), representative of those who are to be brought into the kingdom after it is established over Israel (Isaiah 11:10-12; etc.). ("The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; page 1022).
Peter was still awestruck and talking about the transfiguration when he was an old man (2 Peter 1:14-18).
Transfiguration is a Greek word meaning "to change in form" or "to be transformed." When Jesus was transfigured, His divine nature shone through His human form. Jesus' face shining like "the sun" and His clothes "white as light" (17:2) proves that He is the long-awaited Messiah.
"The transfiguration scene contains, in miniature, all the elements of the future kingdom in manifestation (2 Peter 1:15-21): (1) the Lord Jesus, not in humiliation but in glory (verse 2); (2) Moses, in glory, representative of the redeemed who have passed through death into the kingdom (Matthew 13:43); (3) Elijah, in glory, representative of the redeemed who have entered the kingdom by translation (1 Corinthians 15:50-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17); (4) Peter, James, and John, not glorified, representatives, for the moment, of Israel in the flesh in the future kingdom (Ezekiel 37:21-27); and (5) the multitude at the foot of the mountain (verse 14), representative of those who are to be brought into the kingdom after it is established over Israel (Isaiah 11:10-12; etc.). ("The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; page 1022).
Peter was still awestruck and talking about the transfiguration when he was an old man (2 Peter 1:14-18).
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus predicts His own death 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew: 17:1-13 The transfiguration 1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, 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. 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. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. 8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 9 And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. 10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 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. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. |
Margin notes:
"Be killed, and be raised again the third day." (16:21) - This is the first time Jesus tells His disciples that He will be put to death and resurrected. The disciples were expecting the Messiah to be a great military/political leader. They didn't understand Jesus' true mission and why He had to be crucified. He will have to tell them again (Matthew 17:22-23; Mark 9:31-32) and again (Matthew 20:18). "Thou art an offence unto me." (16:23) - "You are a hindrance to me." "Thou savourest not the things that be of God." (16:23) - "You don't understand the ways of God." "Let him deny himself, and take up his cross." (16:24) - Christians must deny themselves the temptations of this world and should expect to face persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (16:25) - "Whoever clings to their life will lose it; whoever will give their life for Me, will find it." This is such an important teaching, that Jesus will reinforce it in Matthew 10:39, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, 17:33, and John 12:25. This is Jesus' second most quoted phrase in the Bible. His most quoted is, "follow me." "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels." (16:27) - Jesus repeatedly promised us that He will return (Matthew 24:27; 24:29-30; 24:37; 25:31; Mark 8:38; Luke 17:28-30; 21:27; John 14:2-3). "He shall reward every man according to his works." (16:27) - When Jesus returns, He will judge mankind (Psalm 62:12; Romans 2:5-10; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Revelation 22:12). "Verily." (16:28) - Means "truly." "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." (16:28) - True to His word, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus in His heavenly splendor six days later (7:1-2). "The Son of man." (16:28) - Another name for Jesus, first used in Daniel 7:13-14 and Ezekiel 4:1. "Bringeth them up into an high mountain apart." (17:1) - Jesus left everyone else behind and brought Peter, James, and John to a mountain. Since they were near Caesarea Philippi, the mountain was probably Mount Hermon. "Transfigured." (7:2) - Jesus' face shining like "the sun" and His clothes "white as the light" confirmed His divine nature. Jesus is the Messiah prophesized in the Old Testament and not just another prophet. See "Question Two" below. "Moses and Elias." (17:3) - Elias (Elijah) represented all the prophets, while Moses symbolized the Mosaic Law. Their presence showed that Jesus was the prophesied Savior and the fulfillment of the Mosaic Law. Any Jew who revered Moses and Elias would see this as God's stamp of approval on Jesus. "Talking with him." (17:3) - Elias and Moses talked to Jesus about His coming crucifixion (Luke 9:31). "Three tabernacles" (17:4) - Tabernacles were shelters/shrines used by Jews to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Peter wanted to build the tabernacles and stay where they were. "A bright cloud overshadowed them." (17:5) - Just as it did when Moses climbed the mount (Exodus 19:9), 24:15). This was another stamp of approval on Jesus. "A voice out of the cloud." (17:5) - This was not the first or only time God spoke from heaven (Matthew 3:17; John 12:28-30). "Hear ye him." (17:5) - "Listen to Him (Jesus)." We should listen, because Jesus speaks for God (Deuteronomy 18:19). "Sore afraid." (17:6) - "Very afraid." "Save Jesus only." (17:8) - "Except for Jesus." "Jesus charged them." (17:9) - "Jesus told them." "Elias truly shall first come." (17:11) - Elias will arrive before Jesus, as prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. "Elias is come already." (17:12) - Elias had already come in the form of John the Baptist (Matthew 11:10-14; Luke 1:13-17). "Whatsoever they listed." (17:12) - "Whatever they desired." "Likewise shall the Son of man suffer of them." (17:12) - "Also, Jesus will suffer at their hands." |
Jesus also predicts His death in Luke 9:22. Mark 9:2-13 and Luke 9:28-36 also report on the transfiguration.
New Living Translation
Matthew 16:21-17:13
Jesus Predicts His Death
21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. "Heaven forbid, Lord," he said. "This will never happen to you!"
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."
Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.
2 As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
4 Peter exclaimed, "Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials-one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 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."
6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.
7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."
8 And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.
9 As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man 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?"
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.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Jesus Predicts His Death
21 From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. "Heaven forbid, Lord," he said. "This will never happen to you!"
23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?
27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.
28 And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."
Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
1 Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.
2 As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
4 Peter exclaimed, "Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials-one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 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."
6 The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.
7 Then Jesus came over and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid."
8 And when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone, and they saw only Jesus.
9 As they went back down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man 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?"
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.
The "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word-for-word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day." (16:21)
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (16:26)
"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." (17:1-2)
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (16:26)
"And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." (17:1-2)
Today's Questions:
1. Why did Jesus call Peter, "Satan?" (16:23)
2. Why was Jesus transfigured? (17:2)
Let us know if you have a friend or relative who would enjoy these Bible studies.
1. Why did Jesus call Peter, "Satan?" (16:23)
2. Why was Jesus transfigured? (17:2)
Let us know if you have a friend or relative who would enjoy these Bible studies.
Answers: (Do you agree?)
1. Jesus rebuked Peter for suggesting He should not be crucified. Peter sounded like Satan, who tried to dissuade the Messiah from completing HIs mission (Matthew 4:1-11). If Jesus had not been crucified, God's plan of salvation would not have been realized, and there would be no redemption for a sinful mankind.
2. The transfiguration was a pivotal moment is Jesus' ministry. He was transfigured to give Peter, James, and John a glimpse of His divine nature. He was on His way to the cross, and the transfiguration affirmed His divinity and gave His disciples a preview of the eternal life that awaited them. Jesus revealed His true nature, and the appearance of the Jewish icons Moses and Elias (Elijah), and the voice of God confirmed it (17:5).
Application thought for the day:
Do you believe that if you have the whole world but lose your soul, you've profited nothing (16:26)? If you measure all the events in your life from an eternal viewpoint, your priorities will change.
Everyone who believes Jesus is the Messiah is a disciple. What kind of disciple are you?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen, published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series," published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur, published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham, published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Atlas of the Bible" edited by Joseph L. Gardner, published by Readers Digest, Pleasantville, New York; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible," published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The New Testament" Recovery Version, published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California; "The Living New Testament," published by Tyndale house, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Living Translation," published by Tyndale House, Wheaten, Illinois; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; the "Life Application Study Bible," published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible," published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The New Scofield Reference Bible," published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course, the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2025 evolke
© 2025 evolke