Lexical Summary stilbó: To shine, to gleam, to glisten Original Word: στίλβω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shining. Apparently a primary verb; to gleam, i.e. Flash intensely -- shining. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. verb Definition to shine NASB Translation radiant (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4744: στίλβωστίλβω; to shine, glisten: of garments (as in Homer, Iliad 3, 392; 18, 596; cf. Plato, Phaedo 59, p. 110 d.), Mark 9:3. Topical Lexicon New Testament Occurrence The form στίλβοντα appears once, in Mark 9:3, during the Transfiguration: “His clothes became radiantly white—whiter than any launderer on earth could bleach them”. The participle “shining” powerfully captures the instantaneous, heavenly brilliance that enveloped Jesus Christ on the mountain. Connection to the Old Testament Theme of Radiant Glory The shining garments evoke numerous Old Testament revelations of divine radiance. Moses descended from Sinai with his face shining after speaking with the LORD (Exodus 34:29–35). Psalm 104:2 declares that God “wraps Himself in light as with a garment.” Daniel saw the Ancient of Days whose clothing was “white as snow” (Daniel 7:9). These antecedents portray light as both God’s garment and a symbol of His manifest presence. Mark’s single use of στίλβοντα places Jesus squarely in that prophetic stream, identifying Him with Yahweh’s glory. Revelation of Christ's Divine Identity The Transfiguration scene answers the disciples’ lingering question, “Who then is this?” (see Mark 4:41). By shining in uncreated light, Jesus reveals His eternal pre-existence and divine nature, confirming Peter’s confession (Mark 8:29). The dazzling whiteness also anticipates His resurrection body (Revelation 1:14–16) and asserts His authority over both the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah), who stand beside Him. Eschatological Foreshadowing The radiant garment prefigures the eschatological glorification of believers. Daniel 12:3 envisions the righteous shining “like the brightness of the heavens,” and Jesus promises “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43). Revelation 19:8 describes the Bride’s linen as “fine linen, bright and clean,” a metaphor for the saints’ righteous acts. The solitary use of στίλβοντα thus opens a window onto the final state when the redeemed will share Christ’s glory. Implications for Sanctification and Witness Because light exposes and transforms, believers called to “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7) are invited to continual fellowship that produces holiness. Paul writes that we all, “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The Transfiguration’s shining garment reminds the church that personal sanctification is not mere moral improvement but participation in God’s radiant life, intended to illuminate a dark world (Philippians 2:15). Liturgical and Homiletical Application 1. Transfiguration Sunday: The unique verb offers rich imagery for preaching on Christ’s unveiled majesty. Pastoral Takeaway Mark’s single, vivid occurrence of στίλβοντα is more than descriptive color; it anchors crucial doctrines—Christ’s deity, the believer’s future glorification, and the call to live as children of light. Forms and Transliterations στιλβής στιλβον στιλβοντα στίλβοντα στίλβοντος στιλβούσης στίλβωσιν στίχοι στίχον στίχος στίχους στίχων stilbonta stílbontaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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