Smoodock's Blog

When Jesus was transfigured or transformed before his disciples, he glowed. His face shone like the sun, and the clothes he wore were affected, so that they became as bright as light. If my previous study about Jesus’ Transfiguration is a logical and accurate understanding of the text, then the event occurred on the beginning and evening portion of the Last Great Day of the Feast of Tabernacles. In other words, Jesus and his three disciples ascended Mount Olives after evening services in the Temple. It was a good while after sundown, so it was dark in the vicinity of Jerusalem. In fact, according to Luke, although Jesus was praying, when his appearance changed (Luke 9:28-29), the Apostles were sleeping and awoke to find Jesus transfigured and speaking with Moses and Elijah (Luke 9:32).

Let’s think about this for a moment. Jesus was shinning like the sun, and it was dark in Jerusalem. Does this mean the darkness fled, and everything all around the vicinity of Jerusalem was now in the light of Jesus? Could folks in Jerusalem see that something was taking place across the valley and on the mountain? I don’t think this would be true. Mark tells us that Jesus took the three with him, so that whatever would occur was done in privacy (Mark 9:2). Furthermore, Matthew tells us that the disciples had seen a vision of Jesus’ transfiguration, meaning it was a spiritual or heavenly event (cp. Acts 26:19). Thus, a person is able to see a vision, but those with him may not be able to experience the same thing (cp. Acts 9:7; Daniel 10:7). In other words, it makes no difference who else may have been close by or in the city across the valley, only the three disciples Jesus took with him were invited to see the vision!

The Synoptics place the event concerning the demonized boy immediately following Jesus’ Transfiguration on the evening of the Last Great Day (Matthew 16:14). However, it can be shown that this event occurred on the morning of the day following the eight-day Feast of Tabernacles, when Jesus and his disciples would begin their journey back to Galilee.[1] I believe the point of the Synoptics is to show us not only the transformation of the young boy, but also our own that occurs after we’ve begun following Jesus.

First, let’s consider the man’s description of his son. “He is “lunatic” (not of his right mind) and suffers terribly… and he often falls into the fire and the water” (Matthew 17:15). If we apply the boy’s experience with the general experience of mankind, as I believe we should, we would have to conclude that mankind suffers terribly and would often desire death over present living conditions. Moreover, there is absolutely nothing we are able to do to correct our dilemma, any more than the Apostles were able to help the boy (Matthew 17:16).

Notice that Mark tells us who is behind this whole affair. He says that the scribes, vis-à-vis the rabbis were questioning Jesus’ disciples (Mark 9:16). The father of the boy was probably simply used for an end the scribes had devised. The Jewish authorities had always sought a sign from Jesus (cp. Matthew 16:1). However, to what end, that is, why did they seek a sign, since Jesus performed so many miracles or signs. The reason is, they didn’t believe Jesus. They thought he did all things by trickery. What they desired to do was to call the shots, vis-à-vis to name the sign or miracle Jesus was to perform, because the natural man doesn’t believe Jesus is able to bring order into his life, because everything Jesus is said to have done is nothing more than foolishness to them (1Corinthians 2:14). So, the natural man constantly finds excuses not to believe (cp. John 7:12), especially when it is obvious that Jesus did, indeed, perform a miracle (John 9:28-29, 32-34). Therefore, Jesus called them faithless and perverse, an intolerable generation, and he told them to bring the boy to him (Matthew 17:17).

When they brought the boy, Jesus simply rebuked the evil spirit and the boy was immediately made well (Matthew 17:18). In other words, the boy’s spirit was set aright. Nevertheless, how would this reflect our own transfiguration when we come to Christ?

Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world but be transformed (G3339; same word as transfigured in Matthew 17:1). However, how does Paul say we could accomplish this. He tells us it is done first by presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to God, and that by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). Our spirits, vis-à-vis our minds are renewed by the Spirit of God which is given to us, when we agree to follow Jesus. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty, vis-à-vis we are no longer possessed by our lusts (2Corinthians 3:17), and once we’ve been liberated by the Spirit of God, we are changed (G3339) or transformed/transfigured into the same image of the Lord, from glory to glory by his Spirit within the believer (2Corinthians 3:18; cp. Genesis 1:27). This can also be described as the new creation in Christ (2Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15).         [EB1] 

[1] See my earlier study in the Gospel of Mark: The Transfiguration of a Young Boy.