Matthew 17:1–13 describes the profound moment of Jesus’ transfiguration.
Sometimes, Jesus pulls us aside to reveal something so glorious we can never be the same.
In Matthew 17:1–13, Jesus takes three of His disciples up a mountain and reveals His divine glory in a moment that still speaks to believers today.
Matthew 17:1–13 (NASB 2020)
1 Six days later, Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Peter responded and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here; if You want, I will make three memorials here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. 7 And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 And raising their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone. 9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” 10 And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; 12 but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- Peter, James, and John, His inner circle of disciples
- God the Father also addressed the disciples with a clear command
What Happened?
- Jesus is transfigured—His divine nature is visibly revealed
- Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets
- God affirms Jesus’ identity with the same words from His baptism
- The disciples are overwhelmed, afraid, and then comforted
- Jesus tells them not to share the vision until His resurrection
The Mood: Glorious, Overwhelming, Transformational
This is one of the most intimate, awe-filled moments in Scripture. The disciples witnessed:
- Heaven touching Earth
- The radiance of Christ’s glory
- The voice of God affirming the mission of Jesus
The Principle: A Revelation of Glory Prepares Us for the Road Ahead
- Jesus sometimes pulls us up the mountain to reveal more of Himself
- God confirms Jesus as the one to listen to
- We can only handle these visions when we’re in proximity to Christ
- Glory-filled moments prepare us for the suffering and service ahead
Audience Response (Then)
- The disciples were terrified, humbled, and speechless
- They obeyed Jesus’ command to keep the moment secret for a time
- They were being shaped for future leadership, grounded in a revelation of His glory
What This Means for Us in 2025
In a noisy world filled with opinions, the Father still says: “Listen to Him!”
- Let Jesus reveal Himself more deeply to you
- Mountaintop moments are not about staying there, but being transformed for mission
- Don’t fear the glory or the correction—both prepare you for purpose
Action Steps for Today
- Slow down to hear Jesus more clearly in your life
- Honor His glory in your decisions, speech, and conduct
- Don’t rush mountaintop moments. Let them change you
- Be silent long enough to listen. Obedience follows hearing
- Expect to carry the vision into the valley. Glory leads to mission
Final Prayer
Jesus, thank You for revealing Your glory and letting us see who You really are. Help me to listen to You, not just admire You. Transform me in the secret place so I can serve with boldness in the world. Prepare me for what’s ahead. Amen.
When you’ve seen His glory, you can no longer live the same. Listen to Him. Follow Him. Reflect Him.
