Matthew 17:1-5
Mat 17:1 (KJB)
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth
them up into an high mountain apart,
Traditionally speaking this high mountain, Mount Tabor, was the site of the
transfiguration of Jesus but there is nothing to support it. It is more likely
that it was Mount Meron (Jebel Jermuk) which was 12 miles (19 km) northwest of
Capernaum which is the area where they were at. Instead of Jesus taking all the
disciples with Him, He had only taken Peter, James, and John which is sometimes
called Jesus’ inner circle. This was not just a hill but a high mountain.
Mat 17:2 (KJB)
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his
raiment was white as the light.
Then Jesus left them a little distance away and was transfigured from an
ordinary human being into what He would have looked like in all His glory in
Heaven. His face was shining as the sun because of the glory beaming from it and
His clothes was as bright as the light. Peter, James, and John had to be
qualified to see this or else they would have been consumed by the glory. The
glory which Jesus exuded was not coming at Him but rather it was emanating out
from Him. For those few moments, He was endowed with His glorified, heavenly
body. This event could have happened at night since Luke records that Peter,
James, and John were heavy with sleep. (Luke 9:32 KJV) 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.
Mat 17:3 (KJB)
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
(Mal 4:4-5 KJV) Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded
unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. {5} Behold, I
will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day
of the LORD: Malachi records both the names of Moses and Elijah. It is not
specifically known what they spoke about but it is believed they spoke about
Jesus fulfilling all the Scriptures in the law and the prophets who prophesied
His coming and death and resurrection. It was a heavenly witness of the ministry
of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mat 17:4 (KJB)
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.
Then Peter makes one of his understatements in that he stated it was good for
them to be there. Peter was looking at this event as some type of permanent
event in that he wanted to make tabernacles for them or he wanted to extend the
time they were there. It is very interesting that Peter recognizes both Moses
and Elijah. No one told him who they were but this may answer a question many
Christians have and that is, will we know each other in Heaven? Elijah lived
about 900 years prior and Moses lived about 1500 years prior so how could Peter
know who they were unless we will have full knowledge of everyone in Heaven,
even those who lived hundreds of years ago. I believe this verse answers the
question if we will know each other in Heaven. We must stop thinking earthly and
transplanting those thoughts and scenarios to Heaven which will be a perfect
environment.
Mat 17:5 (KJB)
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.
Then all of a sudden while Peter is still speaking, God the Father from Heaven
forms a cloud of glory around Jesus, Moses, and Elijah and simultaneously
truncates Peter’s speech. God informs the three disciples that Jesus is His
beloved Son and they were to listen to Him. Peter was probably talking and God
wanted the disciples to listen to Jesus and not Peter. Peter wanted to stay on
the Mount longer but God told them that they must listen to Jesus and He will
guide them in the coming weeks. The appearance of this cloud was the culmination
of this event.