Moses and Elijah in the Transfiguration
Prediction- “Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matthew 16:28).
Fulfillment- “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus” (Mark 9:2-4 also Luke 9:28-32; Matthew 17:1-3).
Matthew, Mark, and Luke record the narrative of the Transfiguration immediately following this prediction. There is no break in the narrative–no chapter or verse division in the Greek original–and furthermore all three mention the fact that the Transfiguration occurred about a week after this statement, implying that the event was the fulfillment of the prediction.
The Transfiguration was a miniature demonstration of the kingdom of glory. Peter, one of the disciples that were present at the Transfiguration, also understood it as explained above (2 Peter 1:16-18).
There is theological significance behind Moses and Elijah being present, and that is why they were chosen to attend to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. The transfiguration represented the resurrection at the end of time. Moses represented those who will die and be resurrected and go to heaven, while Elijah represented those who will go to heaven (get translated) without experiencing death. We know this from the following:
Elijah was taken alive to Heaven: “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 kings 2:11). Moses received a private resurrection by Jesus (Michael): “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). So, both Elijah and Moses were taken to heaven and did appear to Christ and some of the disciples at the transfiguration of Christ.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
