Luke 9:28-31 28Now it happened after these sayings about eight days later, after taking with him Peter and John and James, he went up on the mountain to pray. 29And it happened as he was praying, the appearance of his face became different, and his clothing became radiant white like lightening. 30And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31who appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.
The disciples had over a week to think about what had happened in Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked the crucial question about their interpretation of his identity. The next event took place about eight days later on a mountain. Luke was not so concerned about an exact time frame but just an estimate of about a week later. This time reference also connects this story to the previous passage. Luke gives no other details about the setting. Various hills and mountains have been identified in tradition as the “Mount of Transfiguration.” More significant is what happened on this mountain.
Jesus went up on the mountain to pray. Prayer on a mountain has a lot of symbolism. The story echoes Moses’ experience on Mount Sinai when God revealed the law to him and wrote it on stone tablets. Jesus often went to high places to pray. No specific reason is given, but it got him away from the crowds to a place he could be alone. In this case, he chose three special disciples, Peter, John, and James, to go with him. This choice was intentional because he wanted to teach them an important insight that would make a deep impression on them. In many ways, this story is a follow-up to the earlier one down in the valley and will be a key moment of growth for these disciples.
The echo of Sinai continues in verse 29 with the change of Jesus’ face, like Moses’ face shone after being in God’s presence. Luke also notes the change in Jesus’ clothing. The symbolism of the dazzling white implies holiness as purity and otherness, matching the brightness of heaven and God’s throne. It is possible that this is also a prelude to what Jesus’ appearance will be when he returns (17:24).
The appearance of Moses and Elijah is also symbolic. Moses represented the Law and Elijah represented the Prophets, two major divisions of the Old Testament and two significant time periods in Israel’s history. Their talking to Jesus also shows the connection between Israel’s past and its Scriptures to Jesus. Jesus fulfilled both the Law and the Prophets (16:16; 24:44). There were Jewish traditions about Moses and Elijah since their deaths or disappearances were shrouded in mystery. When Moses died, Deuteronomy 34:6 states that God buried him. Second Kings 2 records how Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire. Legends grew about these two stories, with one idea that these two would return one day.
They both appeared on the mountain in glory because they had been in God’s presence. Both were known as prophets par excellence and so give a prophecy of what would happen to Jesus in Jerusalem. The meaning of departure (exodon) is unclear. It could refer to Jesus’ death on the cross and could also include his resurrection and all the events and their significance. Jesus already knew what would happen to him, but Moses and Elijah indicate that the upcoming events would fulfill God’s plan in the Old Testament. Their appearance should have confirmed Jesus’ identity to any doubters and stress the importance of what would happen to him. The question remains whether the three disciples would realize all of this or if it would take time to see the connections.
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