Dr Tom Hover
November 9, 2025
Matthew 17:1–13
THE TRANSFIGURATION EXPLICATION
THE TRANSFIGURATION EXPLICATION
THE TRANSFIGURATION OF JESUS
Matthew 17:1–13
The Transfiguration of Jesus is a significant event in the New Testament, described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It reveals Jesus' divine nature and serves as a pivotal moment in his ministry. In the last year of Christ’s earthly ministry, this glorious event occurred. It was a momentary change in the appearance of Jesus Christ. The glory of His Deity was manifested for a small moment of time which confirmed some of the great incarnational truths about Him. The Transfiguration remains a key theological event, illustrating the intersection of humanity and divinity in Jesus Christ. There Is a Threefold Prophetic Significance in the transfiguration Of Jesus
1. Fulfillment of the Law and Prophets: Moses represents the Law, and Elijah symbolizes the Prophets. Their presence affirms Jesus as the culmination of both.
2. Divine Affirmation: The voice from the cloud declares Jesus as God's Son, emphasizing His authority and divine mission. 3. Foreshadowing of Resurrection: The transfiguration serves as a precursor to Jesus' resurrection, illustrating His divine nature and the promise of eternal life.
I. THE TRANSFIGURATION: THE CIRCUMSTANCES
Matthew 17:1
A. The Special People at The Transfiguration Matthew 17:1, Luke 9:28
B. The Special Place of The Transfiguration Matthew 17:1 The “high mountain” is generally believed to be Mount Hermon.
C. The Special Time of Transfiguration. Matthew 17:1 “And after six days. Luke 9:28 “about an eight days”
II. TRANSFIGURATION: THE CHANGES Matthew 17:2
A. The Special Changes in Jesus at The Transfiguration.
Matthew 17:2, Isaiah 53:2-3
B. The Special Purpose for The Changes at The Transfiguration. Matthew 17:2 “And was transfigured before them:”
Later, in their writings, Peter: II Peter 1:16-18. John made mention of the transfiguration: John 1:14
III. THE TRANSFIGURATION: THE CALLERS Matthew 17:3
A. The Characters of The Callers. Matthew 17:3
Note: Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the Prophets.
B. The Conversing of The Callers. Matthew 17:3, Luke 9:31
C. The Consciousness of The Callers. Matthew 17:3 “There appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Him.”
IV. THE TRANSFIGURATION: THE COMMENTS Matthew 17:4
A. Peter’s Perspective in The Comments. Matthew 17:4 “Lord, it is good for us to be here:” First, Association, Second, Transfiguration,
Third, Conversation.
B. Peter’s Proposal in The Comments.
First, The Defining of It. “Let us make here three tabernacles” Matthew 17:4
Second, The Deference in It. “If thou wilt” Matthew 17:4
Third, The Dishonor in It. Fourth, The Dumbness Of It.
V. The Transfiguration: The Cloud Matthew 17:5-6
A. It Was a Cloud That Brought Splendor “A bright cloud overshadowed them” Matthew 17:5
B. It Was a Cloud That Brought Silencing “While he yet Spake”
Matthew 17:5
C. It Was a Cloud That Brought Speaking Matthew 17:5
D. It Was a Cloud That Brought Scariness Matthew 17:6
VI. THE TRANSFIGURATION: THE COMFORT Matthew 17:7-8
A. The Coming for The Comforting. “And Jesus came” Matthew 17:7
B. The Contact for The Comforting. “Jesus came and touched them” Matthew 17:7 The touching confirms that Christ came to them in spite of His transfiguration.
C. The Command for The Comforting. Acts 17:30
D. The Crowd for The Comforting. “When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only” Matthew 17:8
VII. THE CHARGE AFTER THE TRANSFIGURATION
Matthew 17:9
A. The Contents of The Charge. “Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man” Matthew 17:9
B. The Conclusion of The Charge. “Until the Son of man be risen again from the dead” (Matthew 17:9).
VIII. THE CONCERN AFTER THE TRANSFIGURATION
Matthew 17:10-13
A. The Inquiry in The Concern. “Why then say the scribes that Elias [Elijah] must first come?” Matthew 17:10
B. The Instructing for The Concern. Matthew 17:12
C. The Illumination from The Concern. “Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist” Matthew 17:13
