Matthew 17:1-13 - The Transfiguration

¹ Six days later Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John, and led them up a high mountain, by themselves apart. ² Here he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. ³ And behold! Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Then Peter said to Jesus. "Master, it is good that we are here! If you are willing I will make here three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

⁵ While he was yet speaking, behold! a luminous cloud overshadowed them; and a voice out of the cloud, saying. "This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom is my delight. Listen to him."

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

⁷ But Jesus came to them and touched them, saying, "Rise, have no fear!" ⁸ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one save Jesus only. ⁹ While they were going down from the mountain, Jesus laid a command on them. "Speak to no man about the vision," he said, "until after the Son of man has been raised from the dead."

¹⁰ And his disciples asked him, saying, "Why then do the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?"

¹¹ And he answered. "Elijah is coming, and will restore all things. ¹² "Nay, I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they chose. Even so the Son of man also is about to suffer at their hands." ¹³ Then the disciples divined that he had been speaking to them about John, the Baptist.

² Six days later Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and brought them by themselves up a high mountain apart from the rest. ³ Here in their presence he was transfigured; and his clothes also became glistering with a radiant whiteness, such as no bleaching on earth could give. ⁴ Moreover there appeared to them Elijah, with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

⁵ "Master," said Peter, addressing Jesus, "it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three tents one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." ⁶ (For he did not know what to say, they were so awestruck.)

⁷ Then there came a cloud overshadowing them; and there came a voice out of the cloud. "This is my Son, my beloved. Listen to him."

⁸ And suddenly as they looked around, they saw no one any more beside them, but Jesus alone.

⁹ As they came down the mountain he strictly forbade them to narrate to any one what they had seen, until after the Son of man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ This order they faithfully kept, questioning among themselves what "rising again from the dead" meant.

¹¹ So they asked him, "How is it that the Scribes say that Elijah must first come?"

¹² "Elijah does indeed first come," he said, "and restores all things, But how is it written about the Son of Man, that he will endure great suffering, and be rejected? ¹³ "Elijah indeed has already come," he added, "and they have done to him whatever they pleased, even as it is written of him."

²⁸ About eight days after this it happened that Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and went up on the mountain to pray. ²⁹ And as he was praying the appearances of his countenance became different, and his clothing became white and dazzling. ³⁰ And suddenly there were two men talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah. ³¹ These appeared in glory and talked about his departure which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

³² Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep; but when they were fully awake they saw his glory, and the two men were standing beside him. ³³ And when they were preparing to depart from him Peter said to Jesus. "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah"??ot knowing what he was saying.

³⁴ And while he was saying this, there came a cloud and began to overshadow them; and they were awestruck as they entered into the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying. "This is my Son, my chosen one; listen to him."

³⁶ When the voice ceased Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no one at that time about what they had seen.