Jesus took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray. While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time tell anyone what they had seen.
Gospel Trivia:
The following "trivia" will make us better appreciate the significance of this account:
- this gospel passage comes right after Jesus advises his disciples that "anyone who wishes to follow him must deny himself and take up his cross daily." Luke wanted to reassure his readers that discipleship leads to eventually to the glorification of Jesus.
- the presence of Moses and Elijah is a reassurance that Jesus mission is in accord with the teachings of the Mosaic Law and the pronouncements of the prophets; incidentally both Moses and Elijah were rejected by their people.
- the voice from the cloud referring to Jesus as the "chosen Son" means that he is not only the Messiah in the militaristic sense, but for a salvation with a divine purpose.
This gospel account, together with the passage immediately preceding it, presents Jesus' paschal mystery -- that is, his pass-over journey, referring to his passion, death and resurrection. This is the God we believe in -- a crucified God who overcomes death itself.
(The transfiguration is also in the other synoptic gospels -- you can click and read the Gospel trivia on Matthew's and Mark's version).
Reference:
- Nil Guillemette, SJ, A Kingdom for All (Manila: St. Paul Publications, 1988), p. 341-343.
- Raymond E. Brown et al (eds), The New Jerome Biblical Commentary (New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1990).
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