Editing Transfiguration of Jesus (section)

== New Testament accounts ==
[[File:Transfiguration. Mokvi Gospels Q-902, 59v, 1300.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Georgian script|Georgian]] manuscript of Transfiguration in the [[Gospel of Mark]], 1300]]

In the [[Synoptic Gospels]], ({{bibleverse||Matthew|17:1–8|NRSVUE}}, {{bibleverse|Mark|9:2–13|NRSVUE}}, {{bibleverse|Luke|9:28–36|NRSVUE}}), the account of the transfiguration happens towards the middle of the narrative.{{sfn|Harding|Nobbs|2010|pp=281–282}} It is a key episode and almost immediately follows another important element, the [[Confession of Peter]]: "you are the [[Christ]]" ([[Matthew 16:16]], [[s:Bible (American Standard)/Mark#8:29|Mark 8:29]], [[s:Bible (American Standard)/Luke#9:20|Luke 9:20]]).{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}} The transfiguration narrative acts as a further revelation of the identity of Jesus as the [[Son of God]] to some of his disciples.{{sfn|Lee |2004|pp=21–33}}{{sfn|Harding|Nobbs|2010|pp=281–282}}

In the gospels, Jesus takes [[Saint Peter|Peter]]; [[James the Great|James, son of Zebedee]]; and James' brother [[John the Apostle|John]] with him and goes up to a mountain, which is not named. Once on the mountain, {{bibleverse|Matthew|17:2|NIV}} states that Jesus "was transfigured before them; his face shining as the sun, and his garments became white as the light." At that point the prophet [[Elijah]] (representing the [[Nevi'im|prophets]]) and [[Moses]] (representing the [[Torah|Law]]) appear and Jesus begins to talk to them.{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}} Luke states that they spoke of Jesus' ''exodus'' (εξοδον) which he was about to accomplish in [[Jerusalem]] ({{bibleverse|Lk|9:31|NIV}}). Luke is also specific in describing Jesus in a state of glory, with [[Luke 9]]:32 referring to "they saw His glory".{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=72–76}}

Just as Elijah and Moses begin to depart from the scene, Peter begins to ask Jesus if the disciples should make three tents for him and the two prophets. This has been interpreted as Peter's attempt to keep the prophets there longer.{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=72–76}} But before Peter can finish, a bright cloud appears, and a voice from the cloud states: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" ({{Bibleverse|Mark |9:7|NIV}}). The disciples then fall to the ground in fear, but Jesus approaches and touches them, telling them not to be afraid. When the disciples look up, they no longer see Elijah or Moses.{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}}

When Jesus and the three apostles are walking down the mountain, Jesus tells them to not tell anyone "the things they had seen" until the "[[Son of Man]]" has [[Resurrection of Jesus|risen from the dead]]. The apostles are described as questioning among themselves as to what Jesus meant by "risen from the dead".{{sfn|Hare|1996|p=104}}

In addition to the principal account given in the synoptic gospels; in [[s:Bible (American Standard)/2 Peter#1:16|2 Peter 1:16–18]], the Apostle Peter describes himself as an eyewitness "of his magnificence". Elsewhere in the New Testament, [[Paul the Apostle]]'s reference in [[s:Bible (American Standard)/2 Corinthians#3:18|2 Corinthians 3:18]] to the "transformation of believers" via "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord" became the theological basis for considering the transfiguration as the catalyst for processes which lead the faithful to the knowledge of God.{{sfn|Chafer|1993|p=86}}{{sfn|Majerník|Ponessa|Manhardt|2005|p=121}}

Although [[Matthew 17]] lists the disciple John as being present during the transfiguration, the [[Gospel of John]] has no account of it.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}}{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}} This has resulted in debate among scholars, some suggesting doubts about the authorship of the Gospel of John, others providing explanations for it.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}}{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}} One explanation (that goes back to [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] in the 4th century) is that John wrote his gospel not to overlap with the synoptic gospels but to supplement them, and hence he did not include all of their narrative.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}} Others believe that the Gospel of John does in fact allude to the transfiguration, in [[John 1:14]].{{sfn|Lee|2004|p=103}} This is not the only incident not present in the fourth gospel, and the institution of the [[Eucharist]] at the [[Last Supper]] is another key example, indicating that the author either was not aware of these narrative traditions, did not accept their veracity, or decided to omit them.{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}} The general explanation is thus the Gospel of John was written thematically, to suit the author's theological purposes and has a less narrative style than the synoptics.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}}{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}}