Jesus’ Transfiguration

This week’s Sunday School lesson explains how Jesus demonstrated that He is God through His transformation on the mountain, showing His glory. Jesus and three disciples went up a high mountain and none of the disciples could have imagined what they were about to see. When they reached the peak of the mountain, Jesus was “transfigured in front of them” (v. 2). While we can’t know every detail about this significant moment, the passage states that “his face shone like the sun” and “his clothes became as white as light.” When the disciples heard the thunderous voice of God from a bright cloud, Matthew tells us that they fell face down and were terrified. This passage makes it clear why Jesus is far greater than Moses, Elijah, and John the Baptist.

Matthew 17:1-13 (NASB)

¹Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. ²And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. ³And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ⁴Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” ⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell face down to the ground and were terrified. ⁷And Jesus came to them and touched them and said, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” ⁸And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.

⁹As 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.” ¹⁰And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; ¹²but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.