What Old Testament events connect to the transfiguration in Luke 9:29? Setting the Scene—Luke 9:29 “And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white.” (Luke 9:29) Echoes of Mount Sinai (Exodus 24 & 34) • Moses ascended a mountain, and “the glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai” (Exodus 24:16). • Jesus likewise goes up a mountain; divine glory again rests on the summit. • Moses’ face later shone after speaking with God (Exodus 34:29-35); Jesus’ face shines immediately, revealing an even greater, inherent glory. Elijah’s Horeb Encounter (1 Kings 19) • Elijah stands on Mount Horeb while God’s presence passes by. • On the Mount of Transfiguration Elijah appears beside Jesus, tying both mountaintop revelations together. • God’s “gentle whisper” to Elijah (1 Kings 19:12) parallels the Father’s voice from the cloud, affirming His chosen Son (Luke 9:35). The Cloud of Glory (Exodus 13:21-22; 40:34-38) • Israel was guided by the pillar of cloud; the same visible symbol of God’s presence now “overshadowed” the disciples (Luke 9:34). • The cloud signals continuity: the God who led Israel now testifies to His Son. The Radiant Garments (Psalm 104:2) • “He wraps Himself in light as with a garment.” (Psalm 104:2) • Jesus’ glowing clothes fulfill this poetically literal picture, identifying Him with the LORD clothed in light. The Promised Prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-19) • Moses foretold a Prophet whom Israel must heed. • The Father’s command, “Listen to Him!” (Luke 9:35), directly answers that prophecy, marking Jesus as its fulfillment. Daniel’s Vision of the Son of Man (Daniel 7:13-14) • Daniel saw “One like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.” • Jesus—often calling Himself “Son of Man”—stands enveloped in glory and cloud, previewing the dominion Daniel described. A New Exodus Foreshadowed (Exodus Narrative) • Luke records that Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus “about His departure” (literally exodos, Luke 9:31). • The first Exodus liberated Israel from Egypt; Jesus’ “exodus” through the cross and resurrection will liberate humanity from sin. Key Takeaways • Every Old Testament mountaintop revelation—Sinai, Horeb, Daniel’s heavenly court—converges on this moment, spotlighting Jesus as the ultimate revelation of God’s glory. • The transfiguration reaffirms the reliability and unity of Scripture; earlier events were real and intentionally prophetic. • By placing Moses (Law) and Elijah (Prophets) beside Jesus, God declares the entire Old Testament finds its climax and fulfillment in His Son. |
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