New International VersionThere he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.
New Living TranslationAs the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
English Standard VersionAnd he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
Berean Standard BibleThere He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
Berean Literal BibleAnd He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light.
King James BibleAnd was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
New King James Versionand He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
New American Standard BibleAnd He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.
NASB 1995And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.
NASB 1977And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light.
Amplified BibleAnd His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light.
Christian Standard BibleHe was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light.
Holman Christian Standard BibleHe was transformed in front of them, and His face shone like the sun. Even His clothes became as white as the light.
American Standard Versionand he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
Contemporary English VersionThere in front of the disciples, Jesus was completely changed. His face was shining like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
English Revised Versionand he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationJesus' appearance changed in front of them. His face became as bright as the sun and his clothes as white as light.
Good News TranslationAs they looked on, a change came over Jesus: his face was shining like the sun, and his clothes were dazzling white.
International Standard VersionHis appearance was changed in front of them, his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light.
NET BibleAnd he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
New Heart English BibleHe was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he was transfigured before them: and his face shone as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Weymouth New TestamentThere in their presence His form underwent a change; His face shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThere He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
World English BibleHe was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand He was transfigured before them, and His face shone as the sun, and His garments became white as the light,
Berean Literal BibleAnd He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as the light.
Young's Literal Translation and he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his garments did become white as the light,
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he was transformed before them: and his face shone as the sun, and his garments were white as the light. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd he was transfigured before them. And his face shined brightly like the sun. And his garments were made white like snow.
New American BibleAnd he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.
New Revised Standard VersionAnd he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Jesus was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes turned white like light.
Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishAnd Yeshua was transformed before them and his face shone like the sun but his garments became white like light. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentand he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his clothing was white as the light.
Godbey New TestamentAnd was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as the light.
Haweis New TestamentAnd he was transformed before them; and his face shone as the sun, and his garments were white as the light.
Mace New Testamentand was transfigured before them; his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Weymouth New TestamentThere in their presence His form underwent a change; His face shone like the sun, and His raiment became as white as the light.
Worrell New Testamentand He was transfigured before them; and His face shone as the sun, and His garments became white as the light.
Worsley New Testamentand was transfigured before them: and his face shone like the sun, and his raiment became white as the light.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Transfiguration1After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2ThereHe was transfiguredbeforethem.Hisfaceshonelikethesun,andHisclothesbecameas whiteasthelight.3Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.…
Cross References Mark 9:2-3After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. / His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them.
Luke 9:28-29About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. / And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white.
Exodus 34:29-35And when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was unaware that his face had become radiant from speaking with the LORD. / Aaron and all the Israelites looked at Moses, and behold, his face was radiant. And they were afraid to approach him. / But Moses called out to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke to them. ...
2 Peter 1:16-18For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. / For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” / And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
Daniel 7:9-10As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. / A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.
Revelation 1:13-16and among the lampstands was One like the Son of Man, dressed in a long robe, with a golden sash around His chest. / The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. ...
Exodus 24:15-18When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, / and the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered it, and on the seventh day the LORD called to Moses from within the cloud. / And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountaintop in the eyes of the Israelites. ...
Matthew 3:16-17As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. / And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!”
John 1:14The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Philippians 3:20-21But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, / who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.
1 John 3:2Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.
Acts 7:55-56But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. / “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Hebrews 1:3The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
Isaiah 60:1-3Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. / For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. / Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
Psalm 104:1-2Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great; You are clothed with splendor and majesty. / He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
Treasury of Scripture And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. transfigured. Luke 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raimentwas whiteand glistering. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove whatis that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Philippians 2:6,7 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: … his face. Matthew 28:3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: Exodus 34:29-35 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… John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. raiment. Psalm 104:2 Who coverestthyself with light aswith a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Mark 9:3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. Jump to Previous ChangeChangedClothesFaceFormGarmentsLightPresenceRaimentShineShiningShoneSunTransfiguredUnderwentWhiteJump to Next ChangeChangedClothesFaceFormGarmentsLightPresenceRaimentShineShiningShoneSunTransfiguredUnderwentWhiteMatthew 17 1.The transfiguration of Jesus.14.He heals the boy with a demon,22.foretells his own passion,24.and pays tribute.There He was transfigured before them.The transfiguration of Jesus is a pivotal moment in the Gospels, revealing His divine nature to Peter, James, and John. The Greek word for "transfigured" is "metamorphoo," indicating a transformation that reveals His true glory. This event occurs on a high mountain, traditionally identified as Mount Tabor, though some suggest Mount Hermon due to its proximity to Caesarea Philippi. The transfiguration serves as a fulfillment of Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:28 that some would not taste death before seeing the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. It also echoes the transformation of Moses' face after encountering God on Mount Sinai ( Exodus 34:29-35), highlighting Jesus as the greater Moses and the ultimate mediator between God and humanity. His face shone like the sun,
The shining face of Jesus symbolizes His divine glory and purity. This imagery is reminiscent of the Old Testament descriptions of God's glory, such as inPsalm 104:2, where God is described as covering Himself with light as with a garment. The brightness of Jesus' face also parallels the vision of the glorified Christ inRevelation 1:16, where His face is described as shining like the sun in its full strength. This radiance signifies the presence of God and serves as a foretaste of the eschatological glory that believers will witness in the kingdom of heaven. and His clothes became as white as the light.
The transformation of Jesus' clothes to a dazzling white signifies purity, holiness, and the righteousness of God. White garments are often associated with heavenly beings and the redeemed in Scripture, as seen inRevelation 7:9, where the great multitude stands before the throne in white robes. This imagery underscores Jesus' sinlessness and His role as the spotless Lamb of God. The whiteness of His garments also connects toDaniel 7:9, where the Ancient of Days is described with clothing as white as snow, further affirming Jesus' divine identity and authority. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jesus ChristThe central figure of the transfiguration, revealing His divine glory to His disciples. 2. Peter, James, and JohnThe three disciples chosen by Jesus to witness the transfiguration, representing the inner circle of His followers. 3. Mount of TransfigurationThe specific location is not named in the text, but it is traditionally identified as Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon, a place of divine revelation. 4. Moses and ElijahAppearing alongside Jesus, representing the Law and the Prophets, respectively, and affirming Jesus' fulfillment of both. 5. The Transfiguration EventA pivotal moment where Jesus' divine nature is revealed, providing a foretaste of His resurrection glory. Teaching Points Revelation of Divine GloryThe transfiguration reveals Jesus' divine nature, affirming His identity as the Son of God. Believers are called to recognize and worship Him as Lord. Fulfillment of the Law and ProphetsWith Moses and Elijah present, the transfiguration underscores Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, encouraging believers to see the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Transformation and RenewalJust as Jesus was transfigured, believers are called to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, reflecting Christ's glory in their lives. Witness and TestimonyThe disciples' experience at the transfiguration equips them to testify to Jesus' divine nature. Believers are similarly called to bear witness to Christ's glory in the world. Hope of Resurrection GloryThe transfiguration offers a glimpse of the resurrection glory that awaits believers, providing hope and encouragement in the Christian journey. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Matthew 17:2?
2.How does Matthew 17:2 reveal Jesus' divine nature and authority to us today?
3.What significance does Jesus' transfiguration hold for our faith and daily walk?
4.How can we apply the transfiguration event to strengthen our spiritual lives?
5.What Old Testament events connect with Jesus' transfiguration in Matthew 17:2?
6.How does witnessing Jesus' glory in Matthew 17:2 inspire our worship and devotion?
7.What does Matthew 17:2 reveal about Jesus' divine nature and identity?
8.How does the transfiguration in Matthew 17:2 fulfill Old Testament prophecies?
9.Why were only Peter, James, and John present during the transfiguration in Matthew 17:2?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 17?
11.What does the Bible mention about halos?
12.How is Jesus portrayed in films?
13.What occurred at the Mount of Transfiguration?
14.(Exodus 34:29–35) How can Moses’s radiant face be explained scientifically, and why are there no other similar reports in the Torah?What Does Matthew 17:2 Mean There He was transfigured before them– The event is presented as historical fact, occurring on a high mountain witnessed by Peter, James, and John. – “Transfigured” points to a visible change, not a vision or metaphor (cf.Mark 9:2–3;Luke 9:29). – God graciously allowed select disciples to behold Christ’s divine glory beforehand, confirming His identity (John 1:14;2 Peter 1:16–18). – This moment bridges the confession of Jesus as Messiah (Matthew 16:16) with the coming promise of His kingdom power (Matthew 16:28).
His face shone like the sun– The radiance mirrors Old Testament theophanies where God’s presence is marked by blinding light (Exodus 34:29–35;Psalm 104:2). – Jesus is not reflecting light; He is the source, revealing His divine nature (John 8:12;Revelation 1:16). – For the disciples, this display assures that the forthcoming suffering and cross do not diminish His glory but fulfill His mission (Isaiah 53:10–11).
His clothes became as white as the light– Even His garments are transformed, underscoring the totality of His majesty (Daniel 7:9;Revelation 19:11–13). – Absolute whiteness symbolizes purity, holiness, and heaven’s perfection (Isaiah 1:18;Psalm 51:7). – The change anticipates the resurrected, glorified Christ the church will one day see (1 John 3:2;Philippians 3:20–21).
summaryMatthew 17:2 records a literal, breathtaking revelation of Jesus’ divine glory. On the mountain, His nature shines forth: unmistakably God, yet standing bodily before His disciples. The brilliance of His face and the dazzling whiteness of His clothes together affirm His purity, authority, and the certainty of His coming kingdom. The transfiguration reassures believers that the Savior who will suffer is also the radiant Lord who reigns eternally. (2) And was transfigured before them.--Elsewhere in the New Testament (with the exception of the parallel, Mark 9:2) the word is used only in its spiritual sense, and is there rendered "transformed." St. Luke does not use the word, but describes the change which it implies, "the fashion of His countenance became other than it had been" ( Luke 9:29). He adds the profoundly significant fact that this was while He was in the act of prayer. It was in that act of communion with His Father that the divine glory flowed out into visible brightness. Transcendent as the manifestation was, it has its lower analogies in the radiance which made the face of Stephen "as the face of an angel" ( Acts 6:15); yet more in the glory which shone on the face of Moses when he came down from the mount ( Exodus 34:29); in some faint measure, in what may be called the metamorphic power of prayer which invests features that have no form or comeliness with the rapture of devout ecstacy. And it is no over-bold speculation to see in the fact thus noted that which gives its meaning to the Transfiguration as a stage in the training of the disciples. Prayers like those which were offered for Peter that his "faith might not fail" ( Luke 22:31-32) at least suggest something as to the intercession of the Master for His disciples, and this, we must remember, was a crisis in their spiritual history. They had risen to the highest faith; they had been offended by the announcement of His rejection, His sufferings, His death. Something was needed which might sustain their faith, on which they might look back in after years as the earnest of a future glory. It was well for them that they should, at least once in His life of lowliness, gaze on the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father ( John 1:14), and feel that they were not "following cunningly-devised fables," but had been "eye-witnesses of His majesty" ( 2Peter 1:16). To those who believe that our Lord's human nature was in very deed, sin only excepted, like unto ours, it will not seem over-bold to suggest that for Him too this might have been a time of conflict and of trial, a renewal of the Temptation in the wilderness ( Matthew 16:23), an anticipation of that of the agony of Gethsemane, and that even for Him, in his humanity, there might be in the excellent glory and in the voice from heaven the help and comfort which strengthened Him for the cross and passion. Following the narrative in its details, we may trace its several stages in some such sequence as follows:--After six days, spent apparently with their Lord in the mountain district near Caesarea Philippi, but not in the work of preaching or working miracles, the rest of the disciples are left at the foot of the mountain, and the three follow Him, as the evening closes, to its summit. There, as afterwards in Gethsemane, He withdraws from them "about a stone's throw" ( Luke 22:41), and they "watch with Him." and gaze on Him, as He, standing or kneeling (the first was, we must remember, the more common attitude of prayer, Luke 18:11), intercedes for them and for Israel, and, we may add, for mankind. And then, as they gaze, form and features shine with a new glory, bright as the sun, as though the Shechinah cloud had wrapt Him round. Even His garments are "white as the light," "white as snow" (the reading in St. Mark is doubtful, but if genuine the snows of Hermon may have suggested the comparison), as St. Mark adds with his usual descriptive vividness, "so as no fuller on earth can whiten them." Nothing, however, it may be added, suggests the vision of three forms floating in the air with which Raffaelle's glorious picture has made us familiar. . . . Verse 2. - Was transfigured ( μετεμορφώθη); Vulgate, transfiguratus est. The verb is used in classical Greek of transformation, as of a man into an animal. Here it refers to a change of countenance, which is the chief index of any change exterior or interior. St. Luke explains the matter with the words, "The fashion of his countenance was altered." The Word of God allows for a brief space his essential glory to irradiate and shine through the form of a servant which he wore. Not that he showed his Divine nature, or laid aside his human body; his bodily nature remained in its entirety, but permeating it was an effulgence which indicated the Godhead. Perhaps it might be said, as an old writer puts it, that the Transfiguration was less a new miracle than the temporary cessation of an habitual miracle; for the veiling of his glory was the real marvel, the Divine restraint which prohibited the illumination of his sacred humanity. Before them. In their presence. Jesus probably had withdrawn in order to pray in secret, but returned to the waiting three, that they might behold his glory - be "eyewitnesses of his majesty," as St. Peter says ( 2 Peter 1:16). These, indeed, had been heavy with sleep (Luke), but had awoke at his appearance, and beheld the vision in full possession of their senses. St. Matthew mentions specially two points in this transfiguration. His face did shine as the sun. This recalls the appearance of the Son of man in Revelation 1:16, "His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." And his raiment was white as the light. The light which emanated from his body shone through and glorified his very garments. The Vulgate has sicut nix, and χιὼν is read in some few manuscripts in place of φῶς: but the word is doubtless introduced here from St. Mark (where, however, it is of doubtful genuineness). If this second evangelist received his account from St. Peter, we recognize the simile in the apostle's remembrance of the snow clad peak of Hermon, in whose vicinity the event transpired. No candid reader can fail to acknowledge that it is no subjective vision that is here narrated, no merely inward impression on brain or nerve with nothing external to correspond, but a real, objective occurrence, which was beheld by mortal eyes endued with no supernatural or abnormal powers, except in so far as they were enabled to look on this partial emanation of the Divine effulgence.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek [There]καὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.He was transfiguredμετεμορφώθη(metemorphōthē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3339:To transform, transfigure. From meta and morphoo; to transform.beforeἔμπροσθεν(emprosthen)Preposition
Strong's 1715:From en and pros; in front of (literally or figuratively) or time).them.αὐτῶν(autōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.faceπρόσωπον(prosōpon)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4383:From pros and ops; the front, i.e. The countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by implication, presence, person.shoneἔλαμψεν(elampsen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2989:To shine, give light. A primary verb; to beam, i.e. Radiate brilliancy.likeὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.sun,ἥλιος(hēlios)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2246:The sun, sunlight. From hele; the sun; by implication, light.andδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.clothesἱμάτια(himatia)Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440:A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.becameἐγένετο(egeneto)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.as whiteλευκὰ(leuka)Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3022:White, bright, brilliant. From luke; white.asὡς(hōs)Adverb
Strong's 5613:Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.theτὸ(to)Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.light.φῶς(phōs)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457:Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured before them (Matt. Mat Mt) |
