The Transfiguration (Reflection on Mark 9)
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This Blog Post accompanies my video reading of Mark 9 published on the Circular Grace YouTube channel.
The Awe Inspiring Transfiguration of Jesus
Its wonderful to be able to share these life transforming verses with you once again. Chapter 9 of Mark's Gospel is exciting on so many levels.
Firstly, the transfiguration is awe inspiring, a glimpse of the miraculous change that awaits all those who truly follow Jesus. I don't know about you but it's something I can't begin to imagine for myself. To be transfigured in the image of Christ, to be given a perfect body! No more dodgy legs and no more corrupted spirit. Here's a couple of verses that help put Jesus' transfiguration in perspective.
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2 ESV)
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29 ESV)
The disciples were given an opportunity to see a glimpse of Christ in His glorified, heavenly and soon to be ascended form. It would also prove to be a powerful foretaste of the transformation of us all in our eternal heavenly state upon Christ's return to collect us.
There's a good write up on the transfiguration in Got Questions:
The disciples never forgot what happened that day on the mountain and no doubt this was intended. John wrote in his gospel, “We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only” (John 1:14). Peter also wrote of it, “We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain” (2 Peter 1:16-18). Those who witnessed the transfiguration bore witness to it to the other disciples and to countless millions down through the centuries.
https://www.gotquestions.org/transfiguration.html
Enduring Word Commentary
This commentary further clarifies the nature of the transfiguration. It is not an illusion or merely a miraculous light shining on Jesus from above. It is as the word expresses, a physical change.
i. If we’re not careful, we think of the transfiguration as just a bright light shined on Jesus. But this wasn’t a light coming on Jesus from the outside. “The word transfigured describes a change on the outside that comes from the inside. It is the opposite of ‘masquerade,’ which is an outward change that does not come from within.” (Wiersbe)
The disciples were confused and concerned that they didn't understand when Jesus told them He would rise again. Here on the mountain, they not only see the transfigured Jesus but alongside Him, Moses and Elijah alive and taking.
iii. Right in front of them, the disciples saw evidence of life beyond this life. When they saw Moses and Elijah, they knew that Moses had passed from this world 1,400 years before and Elijah had passed some 900 years before. Yet there they were, alive in glory before them. It gave them confidence in Jesus’ claim to resurrection.
Whilst they may still have been somewhat bewildered at the time, this experience would remain with them and strengthen their faith and confidence.
Here's the link for the rest of the commentary:
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/mark-9/
Bible Hub Commentary
After the transfiguration on the mountain, Jesus returns to find the Scribes and Pharisees arguing with His disciples. This commentary adds some clarity concerning the reaction of the multitude upon seeing Jesus. They aren't merely pleased to see Him but notice something more.
Verse 15. - The multitude were favourably towards Jesus, and were glad that returned at an opportune moment to defend his disciples against the scribes. But why were they greatly amazed? The word in the Greek is ἐξεθαμβήθη. It seems most probable that they saw in his countenance, always heavenly and majestic, something even yet more Divine, retaining some traces of the glory of his transfiguration, even as the face of Moses shone when he came down from the mount (Exodus 34:29). It hardly seems likely that the amazement of the people was simply caused by our Lord having arrived at an opportune time to relieve his disciples of their difficulty.
This commentary helps out with an understanding of Jesus' weary attitude that reading casually we can think of as directed at His disciples who have failed to cast out the demon processed man brought to Jesus by his concerned father. We read here that Jesus is directing His displeasure to a greater extent to the unbelievers.
Verse 19. - O faithless generation. These words were no doubt intended primarily as a rebuke to the Jews and their scribes; though not without a glance at the weakness of faith of his own disciples. The words are the complaint of one weary of the unbelief of the masses and of the weakness of faith in even his own. Bring him unto me (φέρετε); literally, Bring ye him to me.
The theme is very much about the nature of unbelief in the whole chapter. The message, one of the transforming power of belief in Jesus Christ. When Jesus calls on the father to have belief, his answer is one of desperation and a humble plea for Jesus to help him. Personally, I find this a powerful reminder that our faith is a gracious and merciful gift from God.
The answer of the father is touching and beautiful. Greatly agitated, he cried out and said (we might well suppose (μετὰ δακρύων "with tears," although the weight of evidence is against this addition being retained in the text), I believe; help thou mine unbelief. It is as though he said," I do believe; but my faith is weak. Do thou, therefore, increase and strengthen it; so that whatever there is in me of doubt or remaining unbelief may be taken away, and I may be counted worthy to obtain from thee this blessing for my son." Nor can we doubt that Christ heard a prayer so humble and so fervent, and took away from him the last remains of doubt and unbelief.
It's a wonderful commentary and for more, follow the link:
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/mark/9.htm
Blue Letter Bible Commentary
My final link is to the Blue Letter Commentary and it helps out with the notion of the great and the small in terms of serving Christ. It also digs further into the nature of belief. The disciples are concerned that there are those outside of their group casting out evil in Jesus' name. They have rebuked then for for doing so. Jesus reminds them that to use His name is to be with them in belief that Christ is the Son of God. You may remember that it is well established by the attitude of the Pharisees up to now that only God can cast out devil's and heal sins. It's why they accuse Jesus of blasphemy. To use the name of Jesus to perform these acts is to acknowledge His deity and power. These people are calling Jesus the Messiah! It's a powerful testimony of faith and belief in Jesus Christ a with that belief is also the power of Christ.
5. This is a reason why we must not discountenance and discourage those who are serving the interests of Christ's kingdom, though they are not in every thing of our mind and way. It comes in here as a reason why those must not be hindered, that cast out devils in Christ's name, though they did not follow him; for (as Dr. Hammond paraphrases it) "It is not only the great eminent performances which are done by you my constant attendants and disciples, that are accepted by me, but every the least degree of sincere faith and Christian performance, proportionable but to the expressing the least kindness, as giving a cup of water to a disciple of mine for being such, shall be accepted and rewarded." If Christ reckons kindness to us services to him, we ought to reckon services to him kindnesses to us, and to encourage them, though done by those that follow not with us.
There is a lot to learn from the commentary. To read it fully, follow the link:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Mar/Mar_009.cfm
I hope you have enjoyed my skip through the commentaries. If love to hear your thoughts and any additional insights you have gleaned from these verses. Please add your thoughts and comments below
I did know that there was no correlation between transubstantiation and transfiguration. At the time I made my comment, I was probably thinking in terms of both having change involved . (Not that I believe in transubstantiation, because I don’t) Transfiguration refers to a change in appearance and transubstantiation refers to a change in substance. I think that is what I meant when I said the concepts are related. I wasn’t very clear and now that I think about it, it was a nonsense comment anyway. 🤣. Blue Letter did say transubstantiation was a “fraud” and I thought some Catholics reading Blue Letter commentary, might not be too pleased to hear that. That’s neither here nor there though. Thanks, Denise.
I like how the Blue Letter Bible Commentary makes a distinction and comparison between transfiguration and transubstantiation. While there is no correlation, I think the concepts are related. What do you think?
Denise, do you read all these commentaries in their entirety? I am not much of a reader so I only read a little portion from each or read something that grabs my attention.
I've commented on it in previous blog posts but what jumps out at me is how valuable it is to read different accounts of the same story. We get the same essential stories in Matthew but Mark makes them more personal.