² After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,
³ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
⁴ and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.
⁵ Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, "Rabbi, it is good that we are here! Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
⁶ He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.
⁷ Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; 4 then from the cloud came a voice, "This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."
⁸ Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.
⁹ As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
¹⁰ So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant.

• Mathew , Luke, and Mark all report the Transfiguration in a similar way. "Jesus took" Peter, James, and John to the mountain. All three also add a simple phrase, "with him" (v.2). The disciples are traveling "with him" on a journey. The disciples must always travel "with him," especially when it is a journey to the cross.
• Verse 2 described the transfiguration as occuring "after six days." Mark is usually not precise when it comes to time. This may be a reference to the incomplete creation, awaiting its "seventh day," or the time required for purification before entering heaven (Exodus 24:16).
• Jesus' clothes shone before their eyes (v.3). The original Greek described these garments as "whiter, as the bleach of earth is not powerful so to whiten." In other words, this is not an earthly event, only heaven can provide such glory.
• The disciples did not understand Jesus messages. First Peter wanted to build three tents, because "he did not know what to say" (v.6). Then they argued among themselves what "to rise from the dead" meant (v.10).

On their journey to Jerusalem, where Jesus would be crucified, the disciples were shown Jesus' glory. The transfiguration reveals Jesus true identity and anticipates his resurrection. It is also an anticipation for those who follow Him: "if we have died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him."

1. On my journey through life, do I let Jesus travel with me? Do I let Jesus' words guide me, as the Father has instructed, "listen to Him?"
2. In times of distress, where do I place my hope to help me through the sufferings, to help me carry my cross?

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A synthesis by the Vietnamese Christian Life (Dong Hanh) Community