What is the meaning of the Transfiguration?

THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS: The Meaning of the Transfiguration

1. QUESTION

What is the theological meaning of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ as described in the Synoptic Gospels?

2. PRIMARY TEXTUAL EVIDENCE

The Event Described:

"And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them." — Mark 9:2 (KJV)

"And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light." — Matthew 17:2 (KJV)

Peter's Response:

"And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, 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." — Luke 9:33 (KJV)

Relevant Theological Parallels in Retrieved Texts:

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." — John 1:14 (KJV)

"And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." — 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)

"When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." — Colossians 3:4 (KJV)

3. LINGUISTIC/HISTORICAL DATA

From the texts provided:

• The term "transfigured" (Greek: μετεμορφώθη) appears in Mark 9:2 and Matthew 17:2. The same root (μεταμορφόω) appears in 2 Corinthians 3:18: "are changed into the same image from glory to glory."

• Peter's proposal of "three tabernacles" (Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33) employs tabernacle language. The retrieved text from Exodus 40:34 states: "a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle." This suggests a possible textual connection between the Transfiguration and Old Testament theophanic glory.

• Luke 9:33 explicitly notes Peter spoke "not knowing what he said," indicating the disciples did not fully comprehend the event's meaning at that moment.

4. SCHOLARLY POSITIONS (as suggested by the texts)

The retrieved texts suggest several possible interpretive trajectories, though the sources do not contain explicit scholarly commentary:

| Interpretive Theme | Textual Basis | |---|---| | Revelation of Divine Glory | John 1:14 — "we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father" | | Anticipation of Future Glory | Colossians 3:4 — "When Christ...shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory"; 1 Peter 1:11 — "the glory that should follow" | | Connection to Old Testament Theophany | Exodus 40:34 — glory filling the tabernacle; Peter's tabernacle proposal (Mark 9:5; Luke 9:33) | | Christological Manifestation | 1 Timothy 3:16 — "God was manifest in the flesh...received up into glory" | | Transformative Pattern for Believers | 2 Corinthians 3:18 — believers "changed into the same image from glory to glory" |

Note: The retrieved texts do not provide direct scholarly interpretation or patristic commentary. These connections are drawn strictly from textual juxtaposition within the provided sources.

5. SOURCES CITED

1. Mark 9:2 (KJV)
2. Mark 9:5 (KJV)
3. Matthew 17:2 (

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE: retrieved texts do not resolve this question explicitly.