Transfiguration of Christ¶
Immediately after Peter’s confession (at Caesarea Philippi), Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and was transfigured before them.
The New Adam revealed the glory that the first Adam had lost through sin. In this revelation He manifested the Trinity, fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, and gave the Church a foretaste of the Resurrection and the grace to follow the path of kenosis.
High Mountain¶
Matthew 17:1
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Jesus chose these three specifically because they were the leaders among the apostles. Peter was the rock on which the Church would be built, James would be the first apostle to suffer martyrdom, and John was the beloved disciple who would contemplate the incarnation and care for the Virgin Mother.
St. John Chrysostom, Homily 56 on Matthew
Having taken therefore the leaders, He brings them up into a high mountain apart. Because these were superior to the rest. And Peter indeed showed his superiority by exceedingly loving Him; but John by being exceedingly loved of Him; and James again by his answer which he answered with his brother.
The same three who would later witness the Agony in Gethsemane were first strengthened by the glory of the Transfiguration.
Jesus, who came in the flesh, strengthens the pillars of His Church by revealing His divine splendor before them, before they would face the scandal of the Cross.
Transfigured¶
Matthew 17:2
And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
His face shone as the sun and his raiment became white as the light. This was not created brightness. It was the uncreated divine light of the God-man now made visible to human eyes.
In this moment the incarnate Word allowed the light of his divinity, which he had hidden by kenosis, to radiate through his humanity.
What the apostles beheld was the true state of human nature when it is fully united to God: radiant, incorrupt, and at rest in the divine light.
Moses and Elijah¶
Matthew 17:3–4
And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 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.
Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus. Moses represented the Law. Elijah represented the Prophets. They spoke with the New Adam who fulfilled them.
Peter answered and proposed three tabernacles. His words showed the natural human desire to hold fast to glory. Yet the moment called for something greater. The Law and the Prophets had come not to remain separate but to bear witness to the Son.
In this meeting the Old Covenant greeted the New in the flesh. The New Adam stood between them as the one in whom both find their completion.
Cloud of Glory¶
Matthew 17:5–6
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. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were sore afraid.
A bright cloud overshadowed them. The glory of God covered the mountain. From this cloud the voice of the Father spoke.
The Father bore witness to His beloved Son. He declared that He was well pleased with Him. He gave the clear command to hear Him.
When the disciples heard the voice they fell on their faces. They were sore afraid before the majesty of God.
The Trinity was made manifest upon the mountain. The Father spoke. The Son stood in glory. The Holy Spirit appeared in the bright cloud.
Jesus Raises Them¶
Matthew 17:7
And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Jesus came and touched them. The New Adam reached out in mercy to those who had fallen before the glory of God. His voice brought peace where terror had seized them.
The New Adam shows mercy to human weakness. He gives strength to those who belong to Him.
Only Jesus¶
Matthew 17:8–9
And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 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.
When the disciples lifted up their eyes they saw no man save Jesus only. Moses and Elijah were gone. The bright cloud had departed. The voice of the Father was silent.
Only Jesus remained.
Moses the giver of the Law and Elijah the chief of the Prophets had appeared in glory. They came to bear witness that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. When their testimony was complete they withdrew.
The apostles did not need three tabernacles. They did not need the Law and the Prophets to remain beside Christ. Jesus alone was sufficient. He is the New Adam in whom the old order finds its completion and gives way to the new.
The holy Fathers teach this mystery. St John Chrysostom explains that Moses and Elijah appeared to show the supremacy of Christ. The Law and the Prophets served as witnesses. Once their work was finished they stepped back. Christ alone abides. He is Lord of both the old and the new.
As they came down the mountain Jesus charged them to tell the vision to no man until the Son of man be risen from the dead. The full meaning of this glory could only be grasped after the Resurrection. Look to Jesus only. In Him a Christian has all things.