Mark 9:2 · Bible study
Mark 9:2 Commentary: Transfiguration and Divine Glory
Greek · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain reveals his divine glory and fulfills the promise of the kingdom coming with power.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus' transfiguration reveals his divine glory and confirms his identity as the Son of God, linking to the promised kingdom.
- Key words: μετεμορφώθη (transfigured), παραλαμβάνει (takes along), ἀναφέρει (brings up), ὄρος ὑψηλόν (high mountain).
- Main debate: The location of the mountain (Tabor vs. Hermon vs. other).
- Theological theme: The revelation of Christ's divine nature and the fulfillment of the kingdom promise.
- Best use: For teaching on Christ's glory, the Transfiguration as a preview of the resurrection, and encouragement in suffering.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them.
WEB World English Bible 2000
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them.
KJV King James Version 1769
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them;
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And after six days doth Jesus take Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up to a high mount by themselves, alone, and he was transfigured before them,
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And after six days Jesus takes with [him] Peter and James and John, and takes them up on a high mountain by themselves apart. And he was transfigured before them:
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And his garments became shining and exceeding white as snow, so as no fuller upon earth can make white.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y seis días después tomó Jesús á Pedro, y á Jacobo, y á Juan, y los sacó aparte|strong="G2596, G2398" solos á un monte alto; y fué transfigurado delante de ellos.
Seis dias depois, Jesus tomou consigo Pedro, Tiago, e João, e os levou à parte, sozinhos, para um alto monte ; e transfigurou-se diante deles.
Six jours après, Jésus prit avec lui Pierre, Jacques et Jean, et il les conduisit seuls à l’ écart sur une haute montagne. Il fut transfiguré devant eux;
Und nach sechs Tagen nahm Jesus zu sich Petrus, Jakobus und Johannes und führte sie auf einen hohen Berg besonders allein und verklärte sich vor ihnen.
En na zes dagen nam Jezus met Zich Petrus, en Jakobus, en Johannes, en bracht hen op een hogen berg bezijden alleen; en Hij werd voor hen van gedaante veranderd.
Sei giorni dopo, Gesù prese seco Pietro e Giacomo e Giovanni e li condusse soli, in disparte, sopra un alto monte.
A po sześciu dniach wziął z sobą Jezus Piotra, Jakóba i Jana, i wiódł je na górę wysoką same osobno, i przemienił się przed nimi.
И, по прошествии дней шести, взял Иисус Петра, Иакова и Иоанна, и возвел на гору высокую особо их одних, и преобразился перед ними.
過了 六 天，耶穌 帶著 彼得、 雅各、 約翰 暗暗地 上了 高 山，就 在他們 面前 變了形像，
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and made them go up with him into a high mountain by themselves: and he was changed in form before them:
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Mark 9:2
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this verse fulfills Jesus' promise in Mark 9:1 that some disciples would see the kingdom of God come with power before they died. The Cambridge Bible notes the close connection: 'after six days' directly follows that promise. Wesley sees the transfiguration as a letting out of the divine rays from the indwelling God. Gill emphasizes that the three disciples, Peter, James, and John, were chosen as sufficient witnesses, echoing their presence at Jairus's daughter and later at Gethsemane. The word 'transfigured' (Greek μετεμορφώθη) denotes a change of form, not merely a brightening, as the Clarke and Lange commentaries point out. There is broad agreement that this event gives the disciples a preview of Jesus' resurrection glory and a confirmation of his divine Sonship, preparing them for the suffering to come.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The transfiguration is an historical event in which Jesus' appearance was changed and his divine glory was manifested to Peter, James, and John, confirming his identity as the Son of God.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Time reference (after six days) | Links the transfiguration directly to Jesus' promise in Mark 9:1 that some would see the kingdom come with power. | Whether the six days are strictly literal or symbolic, alluding to the six days at Sinai (Exodus 24:16). Some see it as simply chronological. |
| Location of the mountain | The event occurred on a high mountain in the region, likely near Caesarea Philippi. | Tradition identifies Mount Tabor, but commentators like the Cambridge Bible and Gill argue for Mount Hermon, citing geographical proximity. |
| Identity of Moses and Elijah | They represent the Law and the Prophets, both bearing witness to Jesus. | Some see Moses representing the dead and Elijah the translated (since he did not die), others focus on their prophetic roles. |
| Nature of the transfiguration | A real change in Jesus' appearance revealing his divine glory. | Whether this was a temporary unveiling of his pre-existent glory or a transformation into the glorified state of the resurrection, as Wesley suggests the divine rays shining through. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The event takes place 'after six days' from the previous scene at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ and Jesus predicted his own suffering (Mark 8:27, 9:1). The timing echoes the six days of preparation at Sinai in Exodus 24:16, when the glory of the Lord covered the mountain. Jesus takes only Peter, James, and John, the inner circle, paralleling Moses taking Joshua up the mountain (Exodus 24:13). The 'high mountain' is debated: many early interpreters favored Mount Tabor, but the Cambridge Bible notes that Hermon, the northernmost peak visible from Galilee, is more likely given the location at Caesarea Philippi. The mountain setting recalls the theophanies of the Old Testament. Jesus is 'transfigured', metamorphosed, his appearance changed so that his clothing becomes 'exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them' (v.3). This detail, unique to Mark, emphasizes the supernatural radiance. The presence of Elijah and Moses (v.4) connects Jesus to the Law and the Prophets; they speak with him about his 'departure' (Luke 9:31). Peter's frightened response and his suggestion to build tents shows the disciples' awe and confusion. The cloud and the voice from heaven ('This is my beloved Son: hear him') directly affirm Jesus' identity, drawing from the baptism and from Deuteronomy 18:15. This event is a hinge in Mark's narrative: it reassures the disciples before the journey to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will suffer and die.
Textual Notes
The only significant textual variant noted by the consulted sources is the addition of 'and while they were praying he was transfigured' found in four good manuscripts and cited by Origen (Adam Clarke). This appears to be an assimilation to Luke 9:29. The readings of Mark 9:2 are otherwise stable across manuscripts.
Reception History
Early Christians read the Transfiguration as a key revelation of Christ's divinity. Origen (mentioned by Clarke) commented on the event, linking it to the deeper meaning of Scripture. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Transfiguration became one of the twelve great feasts, celebrated on August 6 with an emphasis on the uncreated light. Western tradition has often focused on the confirmation of Jesus' identity and the command to listen to him. Reformers like Wesley saw in it a model for the believer's transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18). The event continues to inspire hymns and art as a vision of the glory to come.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Promise and the Timing: The transfiguration occurs 'after six days' of Jesus's promise that some would see the kingdom come with power (Mark 9:1). The event is the fulfillment of that promise, giving the disciples a foretaste of the kingdom's glory.
- The Privileged Witnesses: Jesus takes Peter, James, and John apart. These three are the inner circle, witnesses to his power over death (Jairus's daughter) and soon to his agony in Gethsemane. The transfiguration prepares them for both the cross and the resurrection.
- The Glory Revealed: Jesus is 'transfigured', his appearance and clothing become brilliantly white, revealing the divine glory that was always his. Moses and Elijah appear, representing the Law and the Prophets, confirming Jesus as the fulfillment of all Scripture.
Five-point outline
- After six days: The specific timing links the transfiguration to Jesus's promise about the kingdom, showing that the kingdom is already breaking in.
- Up the mountain: Mountains are places of divine encounter in Scripture (Sinai, Carmel). Here, Jesus takes the disciples to a high mountain for a private revelation.
- Jesus transfigured: His face and clothes shine with light, a preview of his resurrection glory and a confirmation that he is the divine Son.
- Moses and Elijah: Their appearance shows that the Law and the Prophets point to Jesus. They speak of his 'departure' (Luke 9:31), connecting the transfiguration to his coming death in Jerusalem.
- The cloud and the voice: The Father speaks from the cloud, echoing the baptism: 'This is my beloved Son: hear him.' The command to hear Jesus underscores his authority over Moses and Elijah.
Illustration hooks
- Seeing a friend in a completely different context, perhaps a quiet person you know suddenly commanding a room as a speaker, reveals a depth you never knew. The transfiguration reveals the true depth of Jesus.
- Climbing a mountain after a long hike and reaching the top; the view changes everything, and you see the landscape as part of a bigger whole. The transfiguration gives the disciples a new perspective on who Jesus is.
- Watching a child see a parent in a moment of professional success or public recognition; the child realises the parent is more than just 'Dad' or 'Mom.' The disciples see Jesus in his full identity.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did Jesus take only three disciples to see his glory? What does that say about special preparation for difficult times ahead?
- If the transfiguration is a preview of the kingdom, how should that shape our hope when the world seems dark?
- Why were the disciples so afraid? How can we approach God's glory with awe rather than terror?
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to consider how Jesus reveals his identity to his followers, especially in moments of crisis. The transfiguration offers a foretaste of the resurrected Christ and the coming kingdom, even as the shadow of the cross draws near. Use these questions to explore the passage together.
Discussion questions
- Read Mark 9:2, 8. What details in Mark's account stand out to you that are not included in Matthew or Luke? Why might Mark include those details?
- The phrase 'after six days' links back to Jesus's promise in verse 1. How does the transfiguration fulfill that promise? What does it tell us about the nature of the kingdom of God?
- Why do you think Jesus chose Peter, James, and John for this experience? How had they already been prepared (see Mark 5:37, 14:33)?
- Moses and Elijah appear and talk with Jesus. What do these two figures represent, and why is their presence significant for understanding Jesus's mission?
- Peter responds by offering to build tents. What might his impulse reveal about how we try to capture and preserve spiritual experiences? Is there wisdom in his desire, or is it misguided?
- The voice from the cloud says, 'This is my beloved Son: hear him.' How is this command especially important for the disciples at this point in Mark's story? How is it important for us today?
- When have you experienced a moment that gave you a clearer sense of who Jesus is? How did that moment prepare you for challenges that followed?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 24:13 | Moses rose up with Joshua, his servant, and Moses went up onto God’s Mountain. |
| Exodus 34:29 | When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mountain, Moses didn’t know that the skin of his face shone by reason of his speaking with him. |
| Exodus 34:35 | The children of Israel saw Moses’ face, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; so Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. |
| I Kings 18:33 | He put the wood in order, and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. He said, “Fill four jars with water, and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” |
| I Kings 18:42 | So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bowed himself down on the earth, and put his face between his knees. |
| Isaiah 33:17 | Your eyes will see the king in his beauty. They will see a distant land. |
| Isaiah 53:2 | For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no good looks or majesty. When we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. |
| Matthew 14:13 | Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
5 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes a textual variant worth considering: several early manuscripts and Origen include the detail that Jesus was transfigured while praying, likely drawn from Luke's account. He also speculates on the mountain's identity, noting that Lightfoot favors a location near Caesarea Philippi over the traditional Hermon or Tabor.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary highlights that Matthew and Mark use the strong Greek word "metamorphosed" for the transfiguration, while Luke avoids it because of its associations with pagan mythology. The German term "Verklärung" (glorification) captures this event more precisely as the Divinity within Christ shining outward through His flesh, clothing Him in light.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And sixe dayes after, Iesus taketh vnto him Peter, and Iames, and Iohn, and carieth them vp into an hie mountaine out of the way alone, and his shape was changed before them.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill questions the traditional identification of the mountain as Tabor, suggesting it may instead be the mountain at Caesarea Philippi or Mount Lebanon. He notes that Jesus chose Peter, James, and John as sufficient witnesses to the transfiguration.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley reads the transfiguration as a shift between the two forms Paul describes in Philippians: the form of a servant and the form of God. The word "transfigured" points to divine rays breaking out from Christ's indwelling deity, temporarily restoring the glory He willingly set aside.