And whilst he prayed, the shape of his countenance was altered and his raiment became white and glittering.
και εγενετο εν τω προσευχεσθαι αυτον το ειδος του προσωπου αυτου ετερον και ο ιματισμος αυτου λευκος εξαστραπτων
10 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 11 commentaries
His form transformed in a way that did not indicate a change in His essence, as He retained His original nature; however, the radiance of His face was significantly more luminous than it had been. A similar transformation occurred with His clothing, which appeared to shine with brilliance, though the actual material of the garment remained unaltered, with only its outward appearance reflecting this light.
and was transformed into an extraordinary and divine radiance so that His clothes shone with brilliant light and appeared to gleam like lightning.
"I assure you: some of those present here will experience death only after they have witnessed the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:27). In this context, the Kingdom of God refers to the revelation of His glory, in which He will unveil Himself to the earth’s inhabitants. He will come in the magnificence of God the Father, rather than in the humble form akin to our own. How did He allow those destined to witness this incredible occurrence? He ascended a mountain, accompanied by His chosen disciples. There, He was transformed into a radiant and divine light, so much so that His clothes shone with brilliance, and His figure appeared to emanate light. Meanwhile, Moses and Elijah stood beside Him, conversing about the exodus that He was destined to accomplish in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31).
This conversation symbolized the mystery of His bodily departure and the impending suffering on the cross. The law of Moses and the words of the holy prophets prefigured the mystery of Christ; the law illustrated it through vivid images and shadows, portraying it as if on a canvas. The prophets predicted in diverse ways that, at the appointed time, He would come in our likeness to grant salvation and life, consenting to suffer on the cross. Moses and Elijah, conversing before Him, served as a representation that exemplified the Lord Jesus Christ's authority over the law and the prophets. This situation clearly demonstrated that Christ is the Sovereign of both the law and the prophets, as foretold in their prophecies, which harmoniously align. The messages of the prophets are consistent with the teachings of the law. It is likely that this is what Moses, the foremost priest, and Elijah, the eminent prophet, discussed amongst themselves.
The unique Son upon the mountain shines with the brilliance of lightning and exceeds the radiance of the sun, unveiling the hidden truths of what is to come.
Moses and Elijah, among the prophets, manifested before Him to demonstrate that He was not Elijah or any of the prophets. His visage was altered (Luke 9:29) prior to His death, ensuring there would be certainty regarding the change in His appearance after His death, and helping them to understand that He who transformed His attire would also bring forth the resurrection of the body He inhabited. The One who bestowed upon Him a glory beyond human reach also resurrected Him from the death that all humanity experiences.
Let us therefore remove the veil from our faces so that, gazing upon the Lord's glory with unveiled faces, we may be transformed into His likeness (2 Cor. 3:18). Let us ascend the mountain, imploring God's Word that He may reveal Himself to us in His form and beauty, fortified, expedited, and sovereign (Cf. Psalm 44:5). This also alludes to a deep and mysterious truth: the Word appears greater or lesser based on our capacity to perceive Him. Unless we rise to the pinnacle of comprehension, wisdom will remain hidden from us, knowledge of sacred truths will elude us, and we will fail to recognize the greatness of His glory and beauty. Instead, the Word of God may present as a form lacking beauty and substance (Cf. Isaiah 53:2-3), as though a man were merely an ear.
He who bears our weaknesses will manifest as a spoken word, concealed behind a veil of sounds, rather than radiating with the Spirit's power. Yet, as you contemplate the Man who was born of the Virgin, the breath of faith will gradually lead you to realize that He is born of the Spirit, prompting you to begin your ascent up the mountain. If you recognize Him upon the Cross, understanding that He triumphed over death instead of succumbing to it; or if you witness the trembling earth, the sun veiled, darkness enveloping the eyes of the unbelieving, the opened tombs, and the resurrection of the dead (See Mt. 27:52), which signify the awakening of the Gentiles who were spiritually lifeless when the light of the Cross illuminated them—if you perceive these mysteries, you have indeed ascended to a high mountain and witnessed a different aspect of the glory of the Word.
His earthly garments differ from those He wears in heaven. Perhaps the garments of the Word symbolize the declarations found in Scripture, the coverings of divine significance. Just as Christ was transfigured before Peter, John, and James, with His countenance changing and His garments becoming radiant (Luke 9:29), so too does the meaning of the sacred Scriptures become illuminated before the eyes of your mind. The divine words shine as white as snow, and the attire of the Word is of a whiteness that cannot be matched by any earthly whitewash (Mk. 9:3).
Let us seek out that whitewasher, that snow! We read that Isaiah visited the whitewasher's field (See Isaiah 7:3). The whitewashers dedicated themselves to cleansing and refining wool. Who is the whitewasher but the One who removes our transgressions? He assured us, If your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). Who else is this whitewasher but He who purifies our physical impurities and reveals our minds—the garments of virtue—to the divine light? I have also encountered an argument from detractors that the eloquence of two wise men finds a comparison in snow and in bees, perhaps alluding to ancient poets.
In Virgil we find reference to this idea: georg. 2:309. Likewise, I discovered in David’s words: How sweet are Your words to my taste! They are sweeter than honey to my mouth (Ps. 118:103). Moreover: Your word, O Lord, is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 118:105). The Word of God is light, the Word of God is snow. Sweeter than honey and honeycomb is the Word of God: from divine lips flows utterance more delightful than honey, and clear words descend in sweet phrases like snow. Truly, only the Speech sent from heaven to earth, which nourishes the parched soil of our hearts, can be likened to snow. We are justified in making such a comparison! God Himself attests to this: Let them wait for My words like rain, and let My sayings drop down like dew, like rain upon the tender grass, and like snow upon the young plants (Deuteronomy 32:2).
Oh, Lord Jesus, may my soul sprout from the moisture of Your rain! Oh, if only You would cover my earth with the purity of Your snow, so that the plowed fields of my body, emerging from their winter sleep, would not become overgrown from premature warmth, but would yield the seeds of the heavenly Word, blanketed with snow! When snow falls, the birds of heaven find no resting place, and the wheat harvest springs forth more abundantly than ever before.
About eight days had passed since those words were spoken. Taking with Him Peter, John, and James, He ascended the mountain to pray. While He was engaged in prayer, the appearance of His face transformed, and His garments became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men appeared and spoke with Him, identified as Moses and Elijah; they appeared in glory and discussed His departure, which He was destined to accomplish in Jerusalem. Matthew elaborates further on this Transfiguration in his thirty-fourth chapter, where every detail is expressed distinctly. His transformation occurred through prayer, teaching us that genuine prayer can also transfigure and enlighten a person.
O Gracious Lord, our Healer and Helper against all diseases, strengthen us through the power of Thy Holy Spirit, so that we may be able to apply Thy saving recipe of fasting and prayer—for our salvation and for the salvation of our neighbors.
The Evangelists provide a specific timeline for the event, indicating that it occurred six days after Peter’s declaration. However, Luke mentions it was eight days later, including both the day of Peter’s confession and the day of the Lord’s Transfiguration in his count. This attention to detail suggests that the Evangelists aimed to recount a pivotal moment in the Lord’s life, which they remembered vividly with all its particulars. They do not specify the exact location, generally referring to it as a mountain (Luke) or a high mountain (Matthew and Mark). Tradition holds that Mount Tabor, the tallest mountain in Galilee, is the site of the Transfiguration. Jesus ascends this mountain, accompanied by His three closest disciples: Peter, James, and John.
This extraordinary experience was meant to affirm their belief in Him as the Son of God, a truth they had recently acknowledged through Peter, while also strengthening their faith for the trials and crucifixion that lay ahead.
According to Luke’s testimony, Jesus is indeed the Son of God. As Luke narrates, Jesus ascended the mountain to pray, and during this time, His appearance was transformed (28-29). The Evangelists describe His Transfiguration with varying details: Matthew and Mark simply state that He was transfigured (μετεμορφωθη) before them, while they elaborate on the transformation of His face. Luke notes that His face appeared differently, while Matthew describes it as shining like the sun; they also depict the transformation of His garments, with Mark stating that His clothing became radiant and white as snow—a whiteness unattainable by earthly means. This brilliance reflected the heavenly light now illuminating Christ.
During His prayer, He slowly let go of all worldly attachments, rising above every sorrow and suffering. Ultimately, it seemed as if He had forsaken His humanity, transforming into a transcendent, divine state. His visage altered, shining brilliantly like the sun, and His garments became dazzling, radiating with light.
As Christ immersed Himself in profound communion with His Father, darkness enveloped the scene. The three selected disciples, having completed their evening prayers, cloaked themselves and sank into slumber upon the grass, hoping to awaken to the encouragement of their Master. Their Master continued in prayer, fully aware of the impending culmination of His mission. By bringing these three disciples along, He sought to dispel the fear His impending death elicited—fear that stood in contrast to their understanding of the Messiah. He aimed to fortify them for the sight of His impending humiliation, revealing to them the glory He would attain upon departing from them. This would illustrate that even though He would no longer be visible, He would remain their steadfast support.
He was preparing for a solemn dedication to the cross, simultaneously fortifying His own spirit for the death that awaited Him. On the human side of His nature, at the peak of His vitality, the thought of death was undeniably daunting. The prospect of enduring a prolonged and disgraceful death cast a shadow over His spirit. Yet, the deepest anguish arose from the moral weight of knowing He, the most holy, was to become a sacrifice for sin; that despite His profound love for humanity, He would perish at the hands of those He loved; that though innocent, He would suffer as a criminal; and that as the beloved Son of God, He would face condemnation as a blasphemer. As His prayer continued, His soul transcended earthly despair. A transformation occurred within Him; the clouds of sorrow and trepidation lifted, giving way to a radiant joy that filled His spirit. Engaging in this divine connection with His heavenly Father, Christ underwent a metamorphosis from His earthly form into a celestial existence, His face shining like the sun, His garments gleaming bright as snow. His entire being radiated such extraordinary brilliance that the evangelists could only liken it to sunlight, snow, and lightning. The apostles missed the onset of this astonishing transformation. In the manner of an Eastern individual concluding prayer, they wrapped themselves in their cloaks and quickly succumbed to deep sleep. Just as they would later in the garden of Gethsemane, the disciples fell into a heavy slumber, yet, upon awakening, they beheld and heard everything. Amidst the night’s darkness, the glorified face of the Savior illuminated the verdant slopes of the mountain.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 18 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS