Mark 9:2-8

9. THE TRANSFIGURATION 9:2-8

TEXT 9:2-8

And after 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: and his garments became glistening, exceeding white; so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. And there appeared unto them Elijah with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus, And Peter answereth and saith to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah. For he wist not what to answer; for they became sore afraid. And there came a cloud overshadowing them: and there came a voice out of the cloud. This is my beloved Son: hear ye him. And suddenly looking round about, they saw no one any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 9:2-8

421.

Six days after what?

422.

Was there some particular reason for taking three men? For taking these particular three?

423.

What mountain? Please locate the previous events on the map.

424.

Please attempt a definition of the word transfiguration.

425.

What caused his garments to become so bright?

426.

In what form did Moses and Elijah appear? How did Peter, James and John know Moses and Elijah?

427.

Read Matthew 17:1-8; Luke 9:28-36 and tell of the topic of their conversation.

428.

What was the immediate reaction on Peter, James & John, to the appearance of Moses and Elijah? Why?

429.

Why did Peter make the suggestion of building booths? Please notice that Mark gives the reason.

430.

When did the cloud overshadow them? What type of a cloud was it? (Read the parallel accounts)

431.

Who spoke out of the cloud? Cf. 2 Peter 1:16.

432.

Why was this declaration concerning the Son made at this particular time? What did it mean to those who heard it?

433.

Where were Peter, James & John when Moses and Elijah disappeared i.e. where were they physically? Cf. parallel accounts.

434.

What prompted Peter, James and John to look around? Cf. Parallel accounts.

COMMENT

TIMESummer A.D. 29.
PLACEUncertainin the vicinity of Caesarea Philippi or Mt. Tabor-some think Mt. Hermon.

PARALLEL ACCOUNTSMatthew 17:1-8; Luke 9:28-36.

OUTLINE1. The time and the participants, Mark 9:2. Mark 9:2. The event, Mark 9:3. Mark 9:3. The appearance of Moses and Elijah, Mark 9:4. Mark 9:4. Peter's unthinking suggestion, Mark 9:5-6. Mark 9:5. The voice of God, Mark 9:7. Mark 9:6. They saw no one save Jesus, Mark 9:8.

ANALYSIS

I.

THE TIME AND THE PARTICIPANTS, Mark 9:2.

1.

Six days after the events in Caesarea Philippi.

2.

Peter, James and John by themselves.

3.

Into a high mountain.

II.

THE EVENT, Mark 9:3.

1.

His garments became exceedingly white and glistering.

2.

This is called a transfiguration or a metamorphosis (Mark 9:25)

III.

THE APPEARANCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH, Mark 9:4.

1.

Sudden, unexpected appearance.

2.

Moses and Elijah recognized.

3.

Talked with Jesus (about his coming death).

IV.

PETER'S UNTHINKING SUGGESTION, Mark 9:5-6.

1.

Peter was greatly impressed.

2.

Let us build three memorials.

3.

He was so filled with awe he did not know what to say.

V.

THE VOICE OF GOD, Mark 9:7.

1.

A bright cloud covered them.

2.

The voice spoke out of the cloudThis is my beloved Son: hear ye him.

VI.

THEY SAW NO ONE SAVE JESUS, Mark 9:8.

1.

The disappearance was sudden.

2.

Jesus touched them as they were prostrate only then did they know Moses and Elijah had disappeared.

EXPANATORY NOTES

I.

THE TIME AND THE PARTICIPANTS.

Mark 9:2. after six days.) In the note on Matthew 17:1, it has been observed that these days were probably passed in the neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi. To the reasons there given, it may be added (1) There is no indication of a change of place: but Mark never omits to notice our Lord's arrival at, or departure from, any place; he has a regular formula for both He came to, He went forth, cf. Mark 1:14; Mark 1:21; Mark 1:35; Mark 2:1; Mark 2:13; Mark 3:7; Mark 4:35; Mark 5:1; Mark 6:1; Mark 6:32; Mark 6:53; Mark 7:24; Mark 7:31; Mark 8:10; Mark 8:13; Mark 8:22; Mark 8:27. The beginning of the journey to this district is distinctly marked in ch. Mark 8:27, the termination in ch. Mark 9:30. (2) The space of six days for the sojourn is not more than might be expected, considering the special object of our Lord's journey and the novelty and paramount importance of the truths which He there prepared the minds of His disciples to receive.

There is, therefore, little room for doubt as to the scene of the Transfiguration: Tabor being out of the question, it must have been some considerable height in the immediate vicinity. Not, however, as Dr. Thomson supposes, Mount Panium, a lower spur of the chain of heights, of which the summit would be within sight of the followers of Jesus. We read, He leadeth them up (words which denote a steep and difficult ascent, such as Dr. Tristram describes in his visit to Lake Phiala) to a high mountain. Which height cannot, of course, be determined; but, considering the special relation of Mount Hermon to Palestine, commanding a prospect over its whole extent, visible in its snowy splendour from every district, and bearing in mind the last view of Moses from a corresponding height over the promised land, we can scarcely resist the conclusion, to which late travellers and critics have been led, that the supernatural transaction took place on one of its loftiest peaks.

transfigured.) Literally, He was changed in form. This may be illustrated by Philippians 2:6, being in the form of God; for the radiant form of the Transfiguration was an effulgence of the Divine glory.

II.

THE EVENT

Mark 9:3. exceeding, white.) St. Matthew, more forcibly, as the light; the pure, essential light of the Godhead.

as snow). Possibly, as Dean Stanley suggests, a reference to the snow of Hermon; but the words are not found in the oldest MSS, and are properly omitted in late critical editions.

no fuller on earth). The comparison may seem to modern ears somewhat strange; but it is just one which would have been used by Dante, who, like Mark, always endeavours to make his readers vividly realize objective facts, Mark, however, has a still higher aim; he would mark the difference between earthly and heavenly brightness. The fuller on earth restores material clothing to its natural whiteness: the heavenly Fuller gives perfect purity, Cf. Malachi 3:2.

III.

THE APPEARANCE OF MOSES AND ELIJAH.

IV.

PETER'S UNTHINKING SUGGESTION.

Mark 9:6. For he wist not,) Luke has, not knowing what he said. Our Evangelist adds the explanation; the words were spoken in bewilderment and great terror. Critics, therefore, are not justified in imputing to the apostle a weak or superstitious feeling, as though he held it fortunate that he and the other apostles were there to prepare tabernacles for the heavenly visitants, or that he expressed a desire to remain there, devoting his life to monastic contemplation, much less, as some have suggested, as though he were shrinking from the Cross. We have, at the most, a touch of nature: Peter then, as usual, seeking to give expression to his feelings in hasty outward action.

V.

THE VOICE OF GOD.

Mark 9:7. that overshadowed.) The cloud, as Matthew remarks, was bright; but brightness is the Divine veil. His brightness was as the light; there -was the hiding of His power.

my beloved Son.) Matthew adds, in whom I am well pleased. So also Peter, in his second Epistle, ch. Mark 1:17. It is not easy to account for the omission here.

VI.

THEY SAW NO ONE SAVE JESUS.

Mark 9:8. Here Mark omits to notice the coming and touch of Jesus, recorded by Matthew; but he has characteristic and graphic expressions, which may suggest both. Suddenly, as though startled by the touch of Jesus, they looked round abouta word almost peculiar to Mark, implying searching or curious look; and at the end of the verse Mark adds the touching words, with themselves: a preparation for His great promise, I am with you alwaysnot, as then, for a season only, but to the end of time, (F. C. Cook)

FACT QUESTIONS 9:2-8

481.

Give two reasons for concluding the six days were spent in the district or neighborhood of Caesarea Philippi.

482.

Why does Mr. Cook seem to favor Mt. Hermon as the place of the transfiguration?

483.

In what sense are we to understand Jesus was changed in form? Cf. Philippians 2:6.

484.

Why the detailed and repeated reference to the appearance of His clothes?

485.

Why do some critics feel Peter was weak or superstitious? Explain.

486.

Why mention the brightness of the cloud?

487.

Isn-'t the pleasure of the Father inferred even though not stated? i.e. in the omission of the words In whom I am well pleased?

488.

What does the word used by Marktranslated looked round about suggest?