² There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

³ Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴ Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁵ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

⁶ When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified.

⁷ But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”

⁸ When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.

⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

⁷ Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

²⁹ And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

³⁰ And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

³¹ Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

³² But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

³³ And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

³⁴ While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

³⁵ And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

³⁶ And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.

¹⁷ For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

¹⁸ And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

^{Some people believe it took place Mt. Tabor in Israel – please note none of the gospels identified it precisely, or was it at mount Olives in Jerusalem?}

^{Answer:  They went to the mountain to pray.}

^{I do believe they were very close to Jesus.  One might wonder if they were Jesus favourite. Jesus took them on various occasions with Him when during the process of extraordinary manifestation of His power or glory (the rising of Jairus; daughter Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51 and the transfiguration (see scriptures above).  The next account was at Gethsemane Matthew 26: 36-39.}

^{Or did Jesus take them because their faith was stronger than the other disciples or was it to encourage them because their faith was weaker than that of the other disciples?}

 ^{Some writer view these three occasions associated with death.}

^{In the healing of Jairus’ daughter the Lord proved that He is VICTORIOUS OVER DEATH. On the Mount of Transfiguration, the Lord showed the favoured three that He would be GLORIFIED IN HIS DEATH. And in the Garden of Gethsemane the disciples saw the Lord Jesus SURRENDERING TO DEATH. (adapted from} http://answersfromthebook.net).

 ^{These precious truths would have brought great comfort to James, whose martyrdom is recorded in Acts 12:1-2, and also to Peter, whose death by crucifixion was foretold by Jesus in John 21:18-19. John would have been encouraged as well, for we read in Revelation 1:9 that he was exiled on the isle Patmos and was ready to “seal his testimony with blood” if called upon to do so. I’m sure that these three events were indelibly impressed on the minds of Peter, James, and John and served to strengthen their faith and cause them to worship the Lord Jesus for His willingness to be “obedient unto death,” for the “victory over death” that would follow in His glorious resurrection, and for the “glory in His death” which shall fulfilled when He comes in power and glory to establish His kingdom. (adapted from} http://answersfromthebook.net).

^{Moses represented the LAW}

^{Elijah represented the Prophets}

^{In earthly customs there should be a hand over of power before a king lead the people.  Therefore, I believe at this moment it was also a hand over of authority.   Jesus now represented the law and the prophets.  He is the true leader and saviour of the world.}