Matthew 17:1-13

The Transfiguration

1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves.

2 He was transformed^[a] in front of them, and His face shone like the sun. Even His clothes became as white as the light.

3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

4 Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it's good for us to be here! If You want, I will make^[b] three tabernacles here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered^[c] them, and a voice from the cloud^[d] said: This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him. Listen to Him!

6 When the disciples heard it, they fell facedown and were terrified.

7 Then Jesus came up, touched them, and said, "Get up; don't be afraid."

8 When they looked up they saw no one except Him^[e]-Jesus alone.

9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, "Don't tell anyone about the vision until the Son of Man is raised ^[f] from the dead."

10 So the disciples questioned Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"

11 "Elijah is coming ^[g] and will restore everything," He replied.^[h]

12 "But I tell you: Elijah has already come, and they didn't recognize him. On the contrary, they did whatever they pleased to him. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." ^[i]

13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them about John the Baptist.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or transfigured
• [b]. Other mss read wish, let's make
• [c]. Or enveloped; Ex 40:34-35
• [d]. 2 Pt 1:16-18
• [e]. Other mss omit Him
• [f]. Other mss read Man has risen
• [g]. Other mss add first
• [h]. Other mss read Jesus said to them
• [i]. Lit suffer by them