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What the Bible Says About Transfiguration

Overview

The Bible addresses transfiguration across 36 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Mark, Matthew and Luke. Closely related themes include Mountain, Vision, Countenance and Miracles of Christ, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Jesus, Elijah and Peter.

Key Bible verses about transfiguration

Old Testament

Exodus

Exodus 34:29

And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

Exodus 34:30

And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

Exodus 34:31

And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.

Exodus 34:32

And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

Exodus 34:33

And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

Exodus 34:34

But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.

Exodus 34:35

And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 17:2

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Matthew 17:3

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

Matthew 17:4

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

Matthew 17:6

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Matthew 17:7

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

Matthew 17:8

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

Matthew 17:9

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Mark

Mark 9:2

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.

Mark 9:3

And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

Mark 9:4

And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:5

And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Mark 9:6

For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.

Mark 9:7

And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Mark 9:8

And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

Mark 9:9

And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead.

Mark 9:10

And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

Luke

Luke 9:29

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

Luke 9:30

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

Luke 9:31

Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

Luke 9:32

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

Luke 9:33

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

Luke 9:34

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

Luke 9:35

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

Luke 9:36

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

People in the Bible and transfiguration

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying transfiguration for yourself

  • Begin with Exodus 34:29, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Mark, Matthew and Luke each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Moses, Jesus and Elijah and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Mountain, Vision, Countenance and Miracles of Christ, the.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about transfiguration?

The Bible addresses transfiguration across 36 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Mark, Matthew and Luke. Closely related themes include Mountain, Vision, Countenance and Miracles of Christ, the. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Moses, Jesus, Elijah and Peter.

How many Bible verses are about transfiguration?

The Bible references transfiguration in 36 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention transfiguration?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Exodus 34:29: “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with transfiguration?

Moses, Jesus, Elijah, Peter and Aaron.

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