God’s Glory

¹ Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!” ² Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, ³ and His clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. ⁴ Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus. Mark 9:1-4 (NLT)

After Jesus’ teaching on discipleship (Mark 8:34-38; see also Matthew 16:24-27; Luke 9:23-26), Jesus told His disciples, “Some of you who are standing here right now will live to see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!” (Mark 9:1, TLB; see also Matthew 16:28; Luke 9:27). Jesus’ declaration is a difficult Scripture passage as this Scripture passage is not self-explanatory. There have been many attempts to explain Jesus’ declaration. Some biblical commentaries argue that Jesus is foretelling His death, resurrection, and ascension. However, some biblical commentaries argue that Jesus’ declaration refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and the beginning of Jesus Christ's church. Most biblical commentaries say Jesus’ declaration means His second coming at the end of the world (e.g., see Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 25:31-46). Some biblical commentaries argue that Jesus’ declaration refers to Jesus’ glorious transfiguration found at Mark 9:2-8 (see also Matthew 17:1-13; Luke 9:28-36). Because all the disciples died before Jesus’ return, some commentators believed Jesus fulfilled His statement at His transfiguration when Peter, James, and John saw His glory (Luke 9:32).

In the transfiguration, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone as Jesus was praying (Mark 9:2; see also Matthew 17:1; Luke 9:28). The Holy Scriptures often associate a mountain with closeness to God, revelations of God, and readiness to receive God’s Words (e.g. see Exodus 24:12-18; 1 Kings 19:8-18). As Jesus was praying on the mountain, Peter, James, and John were eyewitnesses to the power and glory of Jesus’ Kingdom (Luke 9:29). These three disciples saw Jesus’ divine glory, identity, and power as the as Messiah and the Son of God (Mark 9:2-3; see also Luke 9:32; 2 Peter 1:16-18). On the mountaintop, Jesus’ suddenly transformed (transfigured) and His disciples saw His true nature! Jesus’ face began to shine with glory, and His clothing became dazzling white (Mark 9:2-3; see also Matthew 17:2; Luke 9:29; John 1:14). The transfiguration was a brief glimpse of Jesus’ glorified state as the King of glory (Matthew 16:27-28; see also Psalm 24:1, 7-10; Matthew 25:31; Luke 19:38; John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3; Revelation 19:16). Jesus laid aside His glory when He came to earth (John 17:5, 22, 24).

The Holy Scriptures teach that true believers of Jesus will also shine with Jesus’ glory (Matthew 13:43). All who accept Jesus as God’s Son are God’s children (John 1:12-13) and belong to the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-5). When we surrender ourselves to God, God “transfigures” our minds and hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit from glory to glory (see Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Biblical scholars cannot explain why Jesus selected Peter, James, and John to have a glimpse of His glory and His coming Kingdom. The New Testament singles out Peter, James, and John as part of Jesus’ close inner circle of His group of Twelve disciples (e.g., see Mark 9:2; Mark 13:3; Mark 14:33; Luke 22:8; Acts 3:1). These three friends and business partners (Luke 5:10) were among the first to hear Jesus’ call to discipleship (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-19; Luke 5:22-11) and they headed the Gospel lists of Jesus’ disciples (Mark 3:16). Moreover, Peter, James, and John were present at Jesus’ healings of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51) and with Jesus while He prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42).

Next, Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus on top of the mountain, and they began talking with Jesus (Mark 9:4; see also Matthew 17:3; Luke 9:30)! Luke’s Gospel tells us that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah were talking about Jesus’ exodus from this world. Jesus’ exodus was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem in which He was to suffer and dead as Savior of the world (Luke 9:31). This meeting may well have been the greatest “Bible conference” ever held on earth! This scene was a continuity of Judaism and culmination of Moses’ Law. All of the Law and Prophets are fulfilled in Jesus (Luke 24:27, 44; Hebrews 1:1-2). Moses represented the great Old Testament deliverer and lawgiver, and Elijah represented the Prophets. Jesus came to earth to fulfill and complete both the works of Moses (the Law) and Elijah (the Prophets) (Matthew 5:17). Moses had led Israel out of Egyptian slavery and bondage to Egypt while Elijah delivered Israel from bondage to false gods. However, Jesus would sacrificially die to set a sinful world free from bondage to sin and death (see Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:13; Hebrews 2:14-15).

⁵ Peter exclaimed, “Rabbi, it is wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials (three tabernacle) — one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶ He said this because he did not really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. ⁷ Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My dearly loved Son. Listen to Him.” ⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and only Jesus was with them. Mark 9:5-8 (NLT)

With excitement, Peter exclaimed, “Teacher (Rabbi), this is wonderful! . . . We will make three shelters (tabernacles) here, one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5; see also Matthew 17:4; Luke 9:33). Peter said this because he did not know what else to say and the disciples were all terribly frightened (Mark 9:6; see also Matthew 17:6). While Peter was still speaking these words, a glorious cloud covered them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him” (Mark 9:7, TLB; see also Matthew 17:5; Luke 9:34-35). God revealed Jesus’ heavenly glory and confirmed Peter's early confession that Jesus is God’s Son (see Matthew 16:16). The full sense of God’s statement includes to not only listen to Jesus but also obey Him (see also Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 42:1; James 1:22-25). Jesus is God's Son, and He is worthy of human worship and obedience (e.g. see John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:7, 10; 1 John 2:5; 1 John 5:2-3). A cloud is frequently a symbol of God’s presence to protect and guide (e.g., see Exodus 13:21; Exodus 19:16; Exodus 24:15-16; Exodus 34:5; Exodus 40:34-38). Suddenly, the disciples looked around, Moses and Elijah were gone, and the glory of Jesus returned to heaven and only Jesus was with the disciples (Mark 9:8; see also Matthew 17:7-8).

Peter called Jesus “Rabbi” because Jesus was indeed a great Teacher. However, God confirmed to Peter and the other listeners Jesus’ uniqueness as His “dearly loved Son” (Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35; see also Matthew 1:21, 23; Mark 1:1; John 1:1-5, 14, 18; John 12:28-29; John 20:31; Hebrews 1:3-4). God had previously spoken and confirmed Jesus as His Son at Jesus’ baptism. During the baptism, God spoke directly from heaven declaring Jesus as His unique and beloved Son (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Jesus’ declaration as God's divine Son is the foundation of the New Testament (e.g. see Matthew 16:16; Mark 1:1, 11; Mark 14:61-62; Mark 15:39; John 12:28; John 20:23; Acts 13:33; Hebrews 1:1-5). Unlike Jesus’ baptism, Jesus’ three trusted disciples – Peter, James, and John, also experience God’s declaration. Even more, God’s declaration represented a recommitment of Jesus’ mission and God’s approval of Jesus’ call (Matthew 17:5). Now, Jesus is heading towards Jerusalem to become the final sacrifice for sin (see Romans 3:25).

⁹ As they went back down the mountain, He told them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. ¹⁰ So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what He meant by “rising from the dead.” Mark 9:9-10 (NLT)

As Jesus and the three disciples descended the mountainside, Jesus told them never to mention what they had seen until after He had risen from the dead (Mark 9:9; see also Matthew 8:4; Matthew 16:20; Matthew 17:9; Mark 5:43). So the three disciples kept Jesus’ glorious transformation a secret (Mark 9:10; see also Luke 9:36). However, the disciples often talked about it, and wondered what Jesus meant by “rising from the dead” (Mark 9:10). After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples were to tell everyone what they had experienced. Jesus’ finished work proved His true and full identity as the Messiah and Son of God (see Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:14-40; Acts 4:33; Romans 1:4).

¹¹ Then they asked Him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” ¹² Jesus responded, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready for the Messiah. Yet why do the Scriptures say that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be treated with utter contempt? ¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.” Mark 9:11-13 (NLT)

Then, the disciples began asking Jesus about something the Jewish religious leaders often spoke of, that Elijah must return before the Messiah could come. (Mark 9:11; see Malachi 3:1; Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:10; John 1:21). Jesus agreed and responded that that Elijah must come first and prepare the way for the Messiah and that Elijah had, in fact, already come (Mark 9:12; see also Matthew 17:11-12). However, Jesus corrected the disciples’ concept of the Son of Man. As the Son of Man, Jesus would experience rejection, suffering, and death (Psalm 22:6; Psalm 118:22; Isaiah 53). Then, Jesus added that Elijah already had come, and been unrecognized, in John the Baptist (Mark 9:13; see also Matthew 17:12-13). Luke 1:17 stated that John the Baptist is the one who “will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah.” Like Jesus, the religious leaders and Romans authorities mistreated and abused John the Baptist, just as the Scriptures predicted (Mark 9:13). John previously had denied that he was Elijah come from the dead (John 1:21, 25), but he did minister in the “spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:16-17). John the Baptist took on Elijah's prophetic role — boldly confronting sin and pointing people to the true and living God (Matthew 3:1-12; Matthew 11:10-15; Mark 1:3-8; Luke 3:2-17).

61 Then the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” ⁶² Jesus said, “I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Mark 14:61-62 (NLT)

References

Disciple's Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 1988).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Life Essentials Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2011).

Ryrie Study Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Cabel, Ted. The Apologetics Study Bible: Understanding Why You Believe (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2012).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Professor of New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2015).

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary – New Testament (Victor Books, 1989).