The term "transfigured" refers to a significant event in the New Testament where Jesus Christ's appearance was transformed to reveal His divine glory. This event is commonly known as the Transfiguration and is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8, and Luke 9:28-36. The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment that underscores the divine nature of Jesus and serves as a foretaste of His resurrection glory.

Biblical Account

In the Gospel of Matthew, the account begins with Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up a high mountain by themselves. "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matthew 17:2). This transformation was not merely a change in appearance but a revelation of Jesus' divine nature, which had been veiled in His humanity.

During the Transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with Jesus. This meeting symbolizes the Law and the Prophets bearing witness to Jesus as the fulfillment of both. Peter, overwhelmed by the experience, suggested building three shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. However, while he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" (Matthew 17:5). This divine affirmation echoes the voice heard at Jesus' baptism and emphasizes His unique Sonship and authority.

Theological Significance

The Transfiguration holds deep theological significance. It serves as a confirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God and a preview of His future glory. The presence of Moses and Elijah signifies the continuity and fulfillment of the Old Testament in the person of Jesus Christ. The event also foreshadows the resurrection, offering the disciples a glimpse of the glorified Christ, which would later be fully realized after His resurrection.

The command from the heavenly voice to "Listen to Him" underscores the authority of Jesus' teachings and the necessity of obedience to His words. This divine instruction places Jesus above the Law and the Prophets, affirming His role as the ultimate revelation of God.

Symbolism and Imagery

The imagery of light and whiteness in the Transfiguration is rich with symbolism. Light is often associated with divine presence and purity in the Bible. The dazzling white garments of Jesus symbolize His holiness and the unapproachable light of God's glory. The mountain setting recalls other significant biblical events where God revealed Himself, such as Mount Sinai with Moses.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the Transfiguration is a source of hope and encouragement. It reassures them of the divine nature of Christ and His ultimate victory over death. The event calls Christians to listen to Jesus and follow His teachings, recognizing Him as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Transfiguration also serves as a reminder of the future transformation that awaits believers, as they too will be glorified with Christ (Philippians 3:21).

In summary, the Transfiguration is a profound event that reveals the glory of Christ, affirms His divine Sonship, and calls believers to faithful discipleship. It stands as a testament to the fulfillment of God's promises and the hope of eternal glory for all who follow Jesus.(imp. & p. p.) of Transfigure.3339. metamorphoo -- to transform
... Word Origin from meta and morphoo Definition to transform NASB Word Usage
transfigured (2), transformed (2). change, transfigure, transform. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3339.htm - 7k

He was Transfigured
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 46 He Was Transfigured. [This chapter is based on
Matt.17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36.] Evening is drawing ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 46 he was transfigured.htm

Jesus was Transfigured --"As He was Praying. "
... Book XII. 39. Jesus Was Transfigured""As He Was Praying.". Then, since
it will be necessary to expound the passage as given in ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/39 jesus was transfiguredas he.htm

Is this He that was Transfigured Upon Mount Tabor? Pale
... THE FIRST CENTURY 89 Is this He that was transfigured upon Mount Tabor?
Pale. Is this He that was transfigured upon Mount Tabor? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/89 is this he that.htm

Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
... WATKINSON " THE TRANSFIGURED SACKCLOTH. THE TRANSFIGURED SACKCLOTH BIOGRAPHICAL
NOTE. ... WATKINSON. BORN IN 1838. THE TRANSFIGURED SACKCLOTH[1]. ...
/.../the worlds great sermons volume 8/watkinson the transfigured sackcloth.htm

Whether it was Fitting that Christ Should be Transfigured?
... OF CHRIST'S TRANSFIGURATION (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it was fitting that
Christ should be transfigured? Objection 1: It would seem ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting that 10.htm

Force of the Words "Before Them. "
... But you will ask if, when He was transfigured before those who were led up by Him
into the lofty mountain, He appeared to them in the form of God, in which He ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/37 force of the words.htm

The Distinction of the Father and the Son, Thus Established, He ...
... The Word, therefore, is incarnate; and this must be the point of our inquiry: How
the Word became flesh,"whether it was by having been transfigured, as it ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxvii the distinction of the.htm

The Transfiguration
... 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.3 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the transfiguration.htm

The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin
... Soon afterwards I saw her soul, united to her transfigured body, rising out of the
tomb far brighter and clearer, and ascending into the heavenly Jerusalem ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xix the burial and assumption.htm

Transfiguration
... and therefore the duties, of the Christian, is set forth here, in these three thoughts
of my text, the renewed mind issuing in a transfigured life, crowned and ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/transfiguration.htm

Transfigured (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Transfigure. Multi-Version Concordance
Transfigured (2 Occurrences). Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured before them. ...
/t/transfigured.htm - 7k

Transfiguration
... While praying Jesus was "transfigured," "his face did shine as the sun," "and his
garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can ...
/t/transfiguration.htm - 17k

Transform (3 Occurrences)

/t/transform.htm - 8k

Leadeth (42 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/l/leadeth.htm - 18k

Garments (232 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun,
and his garments became as white as the light. (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). ...
/g/garments.htm - 37k

Taketh (398 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/t/taketh.htm - 35k

Raiment (75 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV). Matthew 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face
did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (KJV WEY WBS). ...
/r/raiment.htm - 31k

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)
... six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up
into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them ...
/b/bringeth.htm - 37k

Apart (228 Occurrences)
... 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. ...
/a/apart.htm - 36k

Shone (27 Occurrences)
... Shone (27 Occurrences). Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone
like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. ...
/s/shone.htm - 14k

What is the Mount of Transfiguration? | GotQuestions.org

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