The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28–36
Works of art by Theophanes the Greek, Dan Flavin, and Fra Angelico
Video commentary by Jennifer Sliwka and Ben Quash
Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8; Luke 9:28–36
Bible passage (Revised Standard Version)
Matthew 17
17 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain apart. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his garments became white as light. 3And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Eliʹjah, talking with him. 4And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is well that we are here; if you wish, I will make three booths here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eliʹjah.” 5He was still speaking, when lo, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
Mark 9
2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them, 3and his garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 4And there appeared to them Eliʹjah with Moses; and they were talking to Jesus. 5And Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eliʹjah.” 6For he did not know what to say, for they were exceedingly afraid. 7And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8And suddenly looking around they no longer saw any one with them but Jesus only.
Luke 9
28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eliʹjah, 31who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eliʹjah”—not knowing what he said. 34As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” 36And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.