Mark 9:2-13 ² After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. ⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. ⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters– one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” ⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) ⁷ Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” ⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. ⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. ¹¹ And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” ¹² Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? ¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

I.    Context

1. 1. The Mountain- traditional place for special revelation
   2. ‘After 6 days’- connects with Moses’ 6 day preparation before God appeared to him (Exodus 24:15-16)
   3. Peter, James, John- the inner circle- the greater the revelation, the fewer the people
   4. Previous account- Peter’s confession followed by Jesus’ explanation of suffering Messiah- transfiguration may help confirm Jesus’ Christ-ness

II.   The Glory Revealed and the Meeting of the 3

1. 1. In the OT, glory of God is always conceived as shining brilliance of bright light
   2. No mention of conversation; appearance is what is significant
   3. They represent the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah)
      1. Adds authority to Jesus’ teaching
   4. Represent eschatological (end time) figures
      1. Moses- first liberator of God’s people (Deuteronomy 18:15)
      2. Elijah- to appear at the dawning of the last days (Malachi 4:4-6)
   5. They fade from view as God’s voice comes—Jesus completes their work
   6. Jesus is the ultimate liberator (from our sin) and ushers in the last days

III.    Peter’s Comment

1. 1. Comes out of fear (v. 6) and reveals his cluelessness
   2. Build tents (tabernacles)- Tabernacle of OT was where God communicated with men
   3. Peter fails to appreciate that transfiguration was only a momentary anticipation of the glory of the consummated kingdom

IV.    Jesus and Disciple’s Conversation

1. 1. Tell no one; why? People won’t yet understand Messiah’s mission
   2. Elijah had come in John the Baptist (Mark 1:6; Matthew 17:13)
   3. Jesus again mentions his mission of suffering and rejection

V.    God Reveals Himself to those who seek him with open hearts