How does Matthew 17:3 connect to Jesus' transfiguration and divine authority? The Transfiguration Moment (Matthew 17:1-3) • “Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus.” (Matthew 17:3) • Peter, James, and John witness Jesus radiating glory “like the sun” (v. 2). • The sudden arrival of Moses and Elijah anchors the scene in Israel’s sacred history while spotlighting Jesus at its center. Why Moses and Elijah? • Moses — represents the Law (Torah). He spoke with God “face to face” (Exodus 33:11) and foreshadowed a greater Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). • Elijah — represents the Prophets. Promised to return before “the great and awesome day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5-6). • Together they form a living testimony that the entire Old Testament points to and is fulfilled in Jesus. Voices of the Law and the Prophets Yielding to the Son • The Father’s declaration moments later—“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” (Matthew 17:5)—places Jesus above even these towering figures. • Moses and Elijah converse with Jesus, not vice-versa (Luke 9:31 adds they spoke of His upcoming “departure” at Jerusalem). • Their presence confirms Jesus is the consummation of both covenant and prophecy, carrying divine authority to inaugurate the New Covenant. Divine Glory Revealed and Confirmed • The visible glory recalls Sinai (Exodus 24:16-17) yet exceeds it; Jesus is not merely reflecting glory—He is its source (Hebrews 1:3). • 2 Peter 1:16-18 cites this event as firsthand proof of Christ’s majesty, underscoring its apologetic weight. • Revelation 1:13-17 mirrors the transfiguration imagery, portraying the risen Christ with the same dazzling brilliance, reinforcing His eternal authority. Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Matthew 5:17—Jesus “came not to abolish but to fulfill” the Law and the Prophets; Matthew 17:3 visually enacts that claim. • John 1:17—“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” • Hebrews 12:18-24 contrasts the fear of Sinai with the joy of approaching Jesus, “the mediator of a new covenant.” Living Response Today • Jesus carries absolute, divine authority; believers listen to Him above every other voice. • Scripture’s unity—from Moses to Elijah to the apostles—centers on Christ, encouraging confidence in the Bible’s reliability. • The glimpse of glory promises future transformation: “When He appears, we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). |
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