The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1–13; Mark 9:2–13; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Peter 1:16–18
On a high mountain, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light. Moses and Elijah appeared, talking with him, and a voice from a bright cloud said, “Listen to him.”
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.”
Matthew 17:5 (World English Bible)
Luke says they spoke of the departure he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). Moses and Elijah, representing the Law and the Prophets, gave way to Jesus alone. Years later Peter wrote that he had been an eyewitness of Christ's majesty on the holy mountain (2 Peter 1:16–18).
Dating notes
Ussher: AD 32, about a week after Peter's confession (Matthew 17:1; Luke 9:28). The mountain isn't named; tradition says Mount Tabor, but many scholars prefer Mount Hermon, near Caesarea Philippi. The month shown is estimated from the order of events in Ussher's harmony, so that events of the same year appear in sequence.