View source for Transfiguration of Jesus

{{Short description|Episode in the life of Jesus}}
{{Redirect|Transfiguration of Christ|paintings with this name|Transfiguration of Jesus in Christian art#Paintings with articles}}
[[File:Transfiguration Raphael.jpg|thumb|''[[Transfiguration (Raphael)|The Transfiguration]]'' by [[Raphael]], {{circa|1520}}]]
[[File:Transfiguration of Jesus icon.jpg|thumb|15th-century [[Russian Orthodox]] [[icon]] by [[Theophanes the Greek]]]]
{{Gospel Jesus|expanded=Ministry}}
The '''Transfiguration of Jesus''' is an event described in the [[New Testament]] where [[Jesus in Christianity|Jesus]] is [[Transfiguration (religion)|transfigured]] and becomes radiant in [[Glory (religion)|glory]] upon a mountain.{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}}{{sfn|Lockyer|1988|p=213}} The [[Synoptic Gospels]] ({{bibleverse||Matthew|17:1–8|RSV}}, {{bibleverse|Mark|9:2–13|RSV}}, {{bibleverse|Luke|9:28–36|RSV}}) recount the occasion, and the [[Second Epistle of Peter]] also refers to it. 

In the gospel accounts, Jesus and three of his apostles, [[Saint Peter|Peter]], [[James the Great|James]], and [[John the Apostle|John]], go to a mountain (later referred to as the [[Mount of Transfiguration]]) to pray. On the mountaintop, Jesus begins to shine with bright rays of light. Then the [[Old Testament]] figures [[Moses]] and [[Elijah]] appear, and he speaks with them. Both figures had [[eschatological]] roles: they symbolize [[Law of Moses|the Law]] and [[Prophets of Christianity|the prophets]], respectively. Jesus is then called "[[Son of God|Son]]" by the voice of [[God the Father]], as in the [[Baptism of Jesus]].{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}}

Many Christian traditions, including the [[Eastern Orthodox]], [[Catholic]], [[Lutheran]] and [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] churches, commemorate the event in the [[Feast of the Transfiguration]], a major [[Christian festival|festival]]. In the original [[Koine Greek]], the word {{lang|grc|μετεμορφώθη}} (''metemorphōthē''), "he was transformed" is used to describe the event in Luke and Mark.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://biblehub.com/mark/9-2.htm|title=Mark 9:2 - The Transfiguration|website=Bible Hub}}</ref> In [[Greek Orthodoxy]], the event is called the ''metamorphosis''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Endsjø |first=D. |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Greek_Resurrection_Beliefs_and_the_Succe/PXnHAAAAQBAJ?hl= |title=Greek Resurrection Beliefs and the Success of Christianity |publisher=Springer |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-230-62256-2 |pages=165 |language=en}}</ref>

==Significance==
The transfiguration is one of the [[miracles of Jesus]] in the Gospels.{{sfn|Lockyer|1988|p=213}}{{sfn|Clowes|1817|p=167}}{{sfn|Rutter|1803|p=450}} [[Thomas Aquinas]] considers the transfiguration "the greatest miracle", in that it complemented baptism and showed the [[Perfection of Christ|perfection]] of life in [[Heaven]].{{sfn|Healy|2003|p=100}} The transfiguration is one of the five major milestones in the gospel narrative of the [[Life of Jesus in the New Testament|life of Jesus]], the others being [[Baptism of Jesus|baptism]], [[Crucifixion of Jesus|crucifixion]], [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]], and [[Ascension of Jesus|ascension]].{{sfn|Moule|1982|p=63}}{{sfn|Guroian|2010|p=28}} In 2002, [[Pope John Paul II]] introduced the [[Luminous Mysteries]] in the [[rosary]], which include the transfiguration.

In Christian teachings, the transfiguration is a pivotal moment, and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place of the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth.{{sfn|Lee|2004|p=2}} Moreover, Christians consider the transfiguration to fulfill an Old Testament [[Jesus and messianic prophecy|messianic prophecy]] that Elijah would return again after his ascension ([[Malachi 4:5]]–[[Malachi 4:6|6]]). {{harvtxt|Gardner|2015|p=218}} states: {{blockquote|The very last of the writing prophets, Malachi, promised a return of Elijah to hold out hope for repentance before judgment (''Mal. 4:5–6''). ... Elijah himself would reappear in the Transfiguration. There he would appear alongside Moses as a representative of all the prophets who looked forward to the coming of the Messiah (''Matt. 17:2–9; Mark 9:2–10; Luke 9:28–36''). ... Christ's redemptive sacrifice was the purpose for which Elijah had ministered. ... And it was the goal about which Elijah spoke to Jesus in the Transfiguration.}}

== New Testament accounts ==
[[File:Transfiguration. Mokvi Gospels Q-902, 59v, 1300.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Georgian script|Georgian]] manuscript of Transfiguration in the [[Gospel of Mark]], 1300]]

In the [[Synoptic Gospels]], ({{bibleverse||Matthew|17:1–8|NRSVUE}}, {{bibleverse|Mark|9:2–13|NRSVUE}}, {{bibleverse|Luke|9:28–36|NRSVUE}}), the account of the transfiguration happens towards the middle of the narrative.{{sfn|Harding|Nobbs|2010|pp=281–282}} It is a key episode and almost immediately follows another important element, the [[Confession of Peter]]: "you are the [[Christ]]" ([[Matthew 16:16]], [[s:Bible (American Standard)/Mark#8:29|Mark 8:29]], [[s:Bible (American Standard)/Luke#9:20|Luke 9:20]]).{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}} The transfiguration narrative acts as a further revelation of the identity of Jesus as the [[Son of God]] to some of his disciples.{{sfn|Lee |2004|pp=21–33}}{{sfn|Harding|Nobbs|2010|pp=281–282}}

In the gospels, Jesus takes [[Saint Peter|Peter]]; [[James the Great|James, son of Zebedee]]; and James' brother [[John the Apostle|John]] with him and goes up to a mountain, which is not named. Once on the mountain, {{bibleverse|Matthew|17:2|NIV}} states that Jesus "was transfigured before them; his face shining as the sun, and his garments became white as the light." At that point the prophet [[Elijah]] (representing the [[Nevi'im|prophets]]) and [[Moses]] (representing the [[Torah|Law]]) appear and Jesus begins to talk to them.{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}} Luke states that they spoke of Jesus' ''exodus'' (εξοδον) which he was about to accomplish in [[Jerusalem]] ({{bibleverse|Lk|9:31|NIV}}). Luke is also specific in describing Jesus in a state of glory, with [[Luke 9]]:32 referring to "they saw His glory".{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=72–76}}

Just as Elijah and Moses begin to depart from the scene, Peter begins to ask Jesus if the disciples should make three tents for him and the two prophets. This has been interpreted as Peter's attempt to keep the prophets there longer.{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=72–76}} But before Peter can finish, a bright cloud appears, and a voice from the cloud states: "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him" ({{Bibleverse|Mark |9:7|NIV}}). The disciples then fall to the ground in fear, but Jesus approaches and touches them, telling them not to be afraid. When the disciples look up, they no longer see Elijah or Moses.{{sfn|Lee|2004|pp=21–33}}

When Jesus and the three apostles are walking down the mountain, Jesus tells them to not tell anyone "the things they had seen" until the "[[Son of Man]]" has [[Resurrection of Jesus|risen from the dead]]. The apostles are described as questioning among themselves as to what Jesus meant by "risen from the dead".{{sfn|Hare|1996|p=104}}

In addition to the principal account given in the synoptic gospels; in [[s:Bible (American Standard)/2 Peter#1:16|2 Peter 1:16–18]], the Apostle Peter describes himself as an eyewitness "of his magnificence". Elsewhere in the New Testament, [[Paul the Apostle]]'s reference in [[s:Bible (American Standard)/2 Corinthians#3:18|2 Corinthians 3:18]] to the "transformation of believers" via "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord" became the theological basis for considering the transfiguration as the catalyst for processes which lead the faithful to the knowledge of God.{{sfn|Chafer|1993|p=86}}{{sfn|Majerník|Ponessa|Manhardt|2005|p=121}}

Although [[Matthew 17]] lists the disciple John as being present during the transfiguration, the [[Gospel of John]] has no account of it.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}}{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}} This has resulted in debate among scholars, some suggesting doubts about the authorship of the Gospel of John, others providing explanations for it.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}}{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}} One explanation (that goes back to [[Eusebius of Caesarea]] in the 4th century) is that John wrote his gospel not to overlap with the synoptic gospels but to supplement them, and hence he did not include all of their narrative.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}} Others believe that the Gospel of John does in fact allude to the transfiguration, in [[John 1:14]].{{sfn|Lee|2004|p=103}} This is not the only incident not present in the fourth gospel, and the institution of the [[Eucharist]] at the [[Last Supper]] is another key example, indicating that the author either was not aware of these narrative traditions, did not accept their veracity, or decided to omit them.{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}} The general explanation is thus the Gospel of John was written thematically, to suit the author's theological purposes and has a less narrative style than the synoptics.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=43–44}}{{sfn|Carson|1991|pp=92–94}}

== Theology ==

===Importance===

[[File:Saint Catherine's Transfiguration.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Mosaic of the Transfiguration, [[Saint Catherine's Monastery]], [[Mount Sinai]]]]

[[Christian theology]] assigns a great deal of significance to the transfiguration, based on multiple elements of the narrative. In Christian teachings, the transfiguration is a pivotal moment, and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place for the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth.{{sfn|Lee|2004|p=2}}

The transfiguration not only supports the identity of Jesus as the Son of God (as in his baptism), but the statement "listen to him", identifies him as the messenger and mouth-piece of God.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=47–49}} The significance of this identification is enhanced by the presence of Elijah and Moses, for it indicates to the apostles that Jesus is the voice of God "par excellence", and instead of Moses or Elijah (representing the Law and the prophets) he should be listened to, surpassing the laws of Moses by virtue of his divinity and filial relationship with God.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=47–49}} [[s:Bible (American Standard)/2 Peter#1:16|2 Peter 1:16–18]] echoes the same message: at the Transfiguration God assigns to Jesus a special "honor and glory" and it is the turning point at which God exalts Jesus above all other powers in creation, and positions him as ruler and judge.{{sfn|Evans|2005|pp=319–320}}

The transfiguration also echoes the teaching by Jesus (as in [[s:Bible (American Standard)/Matthew#22:32|Matthew 22:32]]) that God is not "the God of the dead, but of the living". Although Moses had died and Elijah had been taken up to heaven centuries before (as in [[s:Bible (American Standard)/2 Kings#2:1|2 Kings 2:11]]), they now live in the presence of the Son of God, implying that the same return to life applies to all who face death and have faith.{{sfn|Poe|1996|p=166}}

=== Historical development ===
[[File:Transfiguration of Christ Icon Sinai 12th century.jpg|thumb|left|12th-century icon of the Transfiguration]]
The theology of the transfiguration received the attention of the [[Church Fathers]] from the earliest times. In the 2nd century, [[Irenaeus]] was fascinated by the transfiguration and wrote: "the glory of God is a live human being and a truly human life is the vision of God".{{sfn|Louth|2003|pp=228–234}} [[Origen]]'s theology of the transfiguration influenced the [[patristic]] tradition and became a basis for theological writings by others.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=60–65}} Among other issues, given the instruction to the apostles to keep silent about what they had seen until the resurrection, Origen comments that the glorified states of the transfiguration and the resurrection must be related.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=60–65}}

The [[Desert Fathers]] emphasized the light of the ascetic experience and related it to the light of the transfiguration – a theme developed further by [[Evagrius Ponticus]] in the 4th century.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=60–65}} Around the same time [[Gregory of Nyssa]] and later [[Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite]] were developing a "theology of light" which then influenced [[Byzantine]] meditative and mystical traditions such as the [[Tabor light]] and [[theoria]].{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=60–65}} The [[iconography]] of the transfiguration continued to develop in this time period, and there is a 6th-century symbolic representation in the [[apse]] of the [[Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe]] and a well known depiction at [[Saint Catherine's Monastery]] on [[Mount Sinai]] in [[Egypt]].{{sfn|Baggley|2000|pp=58–60}}

Byzantine Fathers often relied on highly visual metaphors in their writings, indicating that they may have been influenced by the established iconography.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=67–69}} The extensive writings of [[Maximus the Confessor]] may have been shaped by his contemplations on the [[katholikon]] at Saint Catherine's Monastery – not a unique case of a theological idea appearing in icons long before it appears in writings.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=67–81}}

In the 7th century, [[Maximus the Confessor]] said that the senses of the apostles were transfigured to enable them to perceive the true glory of Christ. In the same vein, building on [[s:Bible (American Standard)/2 Corinthians#3:18|2 Corinthians 3:18]], by the end of the 13th century the concept of "transfiguration of the believer" had stabilized and [[Gregory Palamas]] considered "true knowledge of God" to be a ''transfiguration of man by the Spirit of God''.{{sfn|Palamas|1983|p=14}} The spiritual transfiguration of the believer then continued to remain a theme for achieving a closer union with God.{{sfn|Majerník|Ponessa|Manhardt|2005|p=121}}{{sfn|Wiersbe|2007|p=167}}

One of the generalizations of Christian belief has been that the [[Eastern Church]] emphasizes the transfiguration while the [[Western Church]] focuses on the crucifixion. However, in practice both branches continue to attach significance to both events, although specific nuances continue to persist.{{sfn|Poe|1996|p=177}} An example of such a nuance is the saintly signs of the ''[[Imitation of Christ]]''. Unlike Catholic saints such as [[Padre Pio]] or [[Francis of Assisi]] (who considered [[stigmata]] a sign of the imitation of Christ) Eastern Orthodox saints have never reported stigmata, but saints such as [[Seraphim of Sarov]] and [[Silouan the Athonite]] have reported being transfigured by an inward light of grace.{{sfn|Brown|2012|p=39}}{{sfn|Langan|1998|p=139}}

=== Connection to the resurrection ===

[[File:Alexandr Ivanov 015.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|''Transfiguration'' by [[Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov|Alexandr Ivanov]], 1824]]

Origen's initial connection of the transfiguration with the resurrection continued to influence theological thought long thereafter.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=60–65}} This connection developed both within the theological and iconographic dimensions – which however, often influenced each other. Between the 6th and 9th centuries the iconography of the transfiguration in the East influenced the iconography of the resurrection, at times depicting various figures standing next to a glorified Christ.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=161–167}}

Most commentators in the [[Middle Ages]] considered the transfiguration a preview of the glorified body of Christ following his resurrection.{{sfn|Thunø|2002|pp=141–143}} As an example, in the 8th century, in his sermon on the transfiguration, the [[Benedictines|Benedictine]] monk [[Ambrosius Autpertus]] directly links the [[Road to Emmaus appearance|Supper at Emmaus appearance]] in [[s:Bible (American Standard)/Luke#24:39|Luke 24:39]] to the transfiguration narrative of [[s:Bible (American Standard)/Matthew#17:2|Matthew 17:2]], and states that in both cases, Jesus "was changed to a different form, not of nature, but of glory."{{sfn|Thunø|2002|pp=141–143}}

The concept of the transfiguration as a preview and an anticipation of the resurrection includes several theological components.{{sfn|Edwards|2002|pp=272–274}} On one hand it cautions the disciples, and therefore the reader, that the glory of the transfiguration and the message of Jesus can only be understood in the context of his death and resurrection and not simply on its own.{{sfn|Edwards |2002|pp=272–274}}{{sfn|Garland|2001|pp=182–184}} When the transfiguration is considered an anticipation of the resurrection, the presentation of a shining Jesus on the mount of transfiguration as the Son of God who should be listened to can be understood in the context of the statement by Jesus in the [[Resurrection appearances of Jesus|resurrection appearance]] in [[Matthew 28:16]]–[[Matthew 28:20|20]]: "all authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth".{{sfn|Garland|2001|pp=182–184}}

=== Presence of prophets ===

The presence of the prophets next to Jesus and the perceptions of the disciples have been subject to theological debate. Origen was the first to comment that the presence of Moses and Elijah represented the "Law and the prophets", referring to the Torah (also called the Pentateuch) and the rest of the Hebrew Bible.{{sfn|Andreopoulos|2005|pp=60–65}} [[Martin Luther]] continued to see them as the Law and the Prophets respectively, and their recognition of and conversation with Jesus as a symbol of how Jesus fulfills "the law and the prophets" ([[Matthew 5:17]]–[[Matthew 5:19|19]], see also [[Expounding of the Law]]).{{sfn|Luther|1905|p=150}}

More recently, biblical scholar Caleb Friedeman has argued that the appearance of Moses and Elijah together at the transfiguration was because both of them had witnessed similar [[Theophany|theophanies]] at [[Mount Sinai (Bible)|Mount Sinai]]. Friedeman asserts that, in light of both Old Testament theophanies, the transfiguration must be considered a theophany in which Jesus manifests his divinity.{{sfn|Friedeman|2024|pp=64–71}} The connection between the Mount Sinai/[[Mount Horeb|Horeb]] theophanies of both Moses and Elijah and their presence at the Transfiguration is also made by the [[New American Bible]].<ref>1 Kings 19, fn. [d]. New American Bible, Revised Edition.</ref>

The real presence of Moses and Elijah on the mount is rejected by those churches and individuals who believe in "[[soul sleep]]" (Christian mortalism) until resurrection. Several commentators have noted that the Gospel of Matthew describes the transfiguration using the Greek word ''horama'' ({{Bibleverse|Matthew|17:9}}), according to [[Joseph Henry Thayer|Thayer]] more often used for a supernatural "vision" than for real physical events{{efn|{{bibleverse|Acts|12:9|KJV}} 'Peter thought he was seeing a "vision" {{gstrong's|37|05|hórama}} }} and conclude that Moses and Elijah were not truly there.{{sfn|Warren|2005|p=85}} In [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS]] doctrine, Moses and Elijah ministered to Christ as "spirits of just men made perfect" (Doctrine and Covenants 129:1–3; see also Hebrews 12:23).

== Location of the mountain ==
{{main article|Mount of the Transfiguration}}
[[File:Mount of transfiguration is.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|left|The Franciscan [[Church of the Transfiguration]] on [[Mount Tabor]] in [[Israel]]. Mount Tabor is traditionally identified as the [[Mount of Transfiguration]].]]

None of the accounts identify the "high mountain" of the scene by name. Since the 3rd century, some Christians have identified [[Mount Tabor]] as the site of the transfiguration, including Origen,{{sfn|Meistermann|1912}} referencing {{bibleverse|Ps|89:12|NIV}}. Tabor has long been a place of [[Christian pilgrimage]] and is the site of the [[Church of the Transfiguration]]. In 1868, [[Henry Alford (theologian)|Henry Alford]] cast doubt on Tabor due to the possible continuing Roman use of a fortress which [[Antiochus the Great]] built on Tabor in 219 BC.{{sfn|Alford|1863|p=123}} Others have countered that even if Tabor was fortified by Antiochus, this does not rule out a transfiguration at the summit.{{sfn|van Oosterzee|1866|p=318}} [[Josephus]] mentions in the [[First Jewish-Roman War|Jewish War]] that he built a wall along the top perimeter in 40 days, and he does not mention any previously existing structures.{{sfn|Josephus|1895|loc={{cite Josephus |Perseus=1 | 1=J. | 2=BJ | 3=2.20.6}}}}{{sfn|Josephus|1895|loc={{cite Josephus |Perseus=1 | 1=J. | 2=BJ | 3=4.1.8}}}} [[John Lightfoot]] rejects Tabor as too far but "some mountain near [[Caesarea Philippi|Caesarea-Philippi]]".{{sfn|Lightfoot|1825|p=}} The usual candidate, in this case, is Mount Panium, Paneas, or [[Banias]], a small hill situated at the source of the [[Jordan River|Jordan]], near the foot of which Caesarea Philippi was built.

[[William Hendriksen]] in his commentary on Matthew (1973) favours [[Mount Meron]].{{sfn|Hendriksen|1973|p=665}} {{harvtxt|Whittaker|1984|p=}} proposes that it was [[Mount Nebo]], primarily on the basis that it was the location where Moses viewed the [[Promised Land]] and a parallelism in Jesus' words on descent from the mountain of transfiguration: "You will say to this mountain (i.e. of transfiguration), 'Move from here to there' (i.e. the promised land), and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." {{harvtxt|France|1987|p=}} notes that [[Mount Hermon]] is closest to Caesarea Philippi, mentioned in the previous chapter of Matthew. Likewise, Meyboom (1861) identifies "Djebel-Ejeik",{{efn|Louis Suson Pedro Meyboom (1817–74), Protestant theologian and pastor at Amsterdam. An adherent of the so-called "modern" school in theology, he wrote many books, including ''Het Leven van Jezus'' (7 vols., 1853–61).}} but this may be a confusion with Jabal el-Sheikh, the Arabic name for Mount Hermon. [[Edward Greswell]], however, writing in 1830, saw "no good reason for questioning the ancient ecclesiastical tradition, which supposes it to have been mount Tabor."{{sfn|Greswell|1830|p=335}} An alternative explanation is to understand the Mount of Transfiguration as symbolic topography in the gospels. As Elizabeth Struthers Malbon notes, the mountain is figuratively the meeting place between God and humans.{{sfn|Malbon|1986|p=84}}

== Feast and commemorations ==
[[File:Fruits Transfiguration jp.jpg|thumb| [[First Fruits]] brought to be blessed on the Feast of the Transfiguration ([[Japanese Orthodox Church]])]]

Various Christian denominations celebrate the [[Feast of the Transfiguration]]. The origins of the feast remain uncertain; it may have derived from the dedication of three basilicas on Mount Tabor.{{sfn|Baggley|2000|pp= 58–60}} The feast existed in various forms by the 9th century. In the 15th century [[Pope Callixtus III]] made it a universal feast celebrated on August 6 to commemorate the lifting of the [[Siege of Belgrade (1456)|siege of Belgrade]]{{sfn|Puthiadam|2003|p= 169}} in July 1456.

The [[Syriac Orthodox]], [[Indian Orthodox]] and [[Revised Julian]] calendars within the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, and [[Anglican]] churches mark the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6. In those Orthodox churches which continue to follow the [[Julian Calendar]], August 6 in the church calendar falls on August 19 in the [[Gregorian Calendar|civil (Gregorian) calendar]]. Transfiguration ranks as a major feast, numbered among the [[Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church|Twelve Great Feasts]] in the [[Byzantine rite]]. In all these churches, if the feast falls on a Sunday its liturgy is not combined with the Sunday liturgy, but replaces it.

In some [[liturgical calendar]]s (e.g. the [[Liturgical calendar (Lutheran)|Lutheran]] and [[United Methodist]]) the last Sunday in the [[Epiphany season]] is also devoted to this event. In the [[Church of Sweden]] and the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland]], however, the feast is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after [[Trinity Sunday|Trinity]] (the eighth Sunday after [[Pentecost]]).

In the [[Roman rite]], the gospel [[pericope]] of the transfiguration is read on the second Sunday of Lent – the liturgy emphasizes the role the transfiguration had in comforting the Twelve Apostles, giving them both a powerful proof of Christ's divinity and a prelude to the glory of the resurrection on Easter and the eventual salvation of his followers in view of the seeming contradiction of his crucifixion and death. The [[Preface (mass)|Preface]] for that day expounds this theme.{{sfn|Birmingham|1999|p=188}}

== Cultural echoes ==
Several church buildings [[Church of the Transfiguration (disambiguation)|commemorate the Transfiguration]] in their naming. Note for example the {{ill|Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord in Preobrazhenskoe|ru|Храм Преображения Господня в Преображенском}} – the original 17th-century church there gave its name to the surrounding village ([[Preobrazhenskoye District|Preobrazhenskoye]] – "Transfiguration [village]" near Moscow) which in turn became the namesake of Russia's pre-eminent [[Preobrazhensky Regiment|Preobrazhensky ("Transfiguration") Regiment]] and of other associated names.

== Gallery of images ==
{{Main article |Transfiguration of Jesus in Christian art}}

=== Paintings ===

<gallery widths="160" heights="200" mode="packed-hover">
File:The-Transfiguration-1480-xx-Giovanni-Bellini.JPG|[[Giovanni Bellini]], {{circa|1490}}
File:Pietro Perugino cat52c.jpg|[[Pietro Perugino]], {{circa|1500}}
File:Gherardi, Cristofano - Transfiguration - 1555.jpg|[[Cristofano Gherardi]], 1555
File:Transfigurationbloch.jpg|[[Carl Bloch]], {{circa|1865}}
</gallery>

=== Icons ===

<gallery widths="160" heights="200" mode="packed-hover">
File:Preobrazhenie.jpg|[[Novgorod school]], 15th century
File:Preobrazhenie.jpeg|[[Theophanes the Greek]], 15th century
File:Icon of transfiguration (Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, Yaroslavl).jpg|Icon in [[Yaroslavl]], Russia, 1516
File:Transfiguration Christ Louvre ML145.jpg|Byzantine artwork, {{circa|1200}}
</gallery>

=== Churches and monasteries ===

<gallery widths="160" heights="200" mode="packed-hover">
File:Transfiguracion del Divino Salvador del Mundo.jpg|Transfiguration of the Divine Savior of the World celebrated in [[San Salvador Cathedral]]
File:SalvadorDelMundo.jpg|[[Monumento al Divino Salvador del Mundo]] is an iconic landmark that represents [[San Salvador]] city. It symbolizes the Transfiguration of Jesus standing on top of earth as the savior of the world
Image:Ortodosse107.jpg|Bell tower of the [[Mount Tabor#The Eastern Orthodox temple|Eastern Orthodox monastery]] on [[Mount Tabor]]
File:Basilika at Tabor.jpg|[[Basilica of the Transfiguration]], Mount Tabor
File:Basilique Transfiguation Thabor.jpg|[[Basilica of the Transfiguration]], Mount Tabor
File:Cimiter Fransesc079.jpg|The [[Franciscan]] cemetery on Mount Tabor
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Acts of John]], a [[pseudepigrapha]]l non-canonical text that has a similar transfiguration scene (Chapter 90)
* [[Chronology of Jesus]]
* [[College of the Transfiguration]]
* [[Life of Jesus in the New Testament]]
* [[Son of man came to serve]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{Refbegin|2|indent=yes}}
* {{cite book|last=Alford|first=Henry |title=The New Testament for English Readers: The three first gospels|url=https://archive.org/details/newtestamentfor02alfogoog|year=1863|publisher=Rivingtons|quote=It was probably not Tabor, according to the legend; for on the top of Tabor then most likely stood a fortified town}}
* {{cite book|last=Andreopoulos|first=Andreas |title=Metamorphosis: The Transfiguration in Byzantine Theology and Iconography|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1UZCTtEuGcMC|year=2005|publisher=St Vladimir's Seminary Press|isbn=978-0-88141-295-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Baggley|first=John |title=Festival Icons for the Christian Year|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AhK2XeCzOeYC|year=2000|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-0-264-67488-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Barth|first=Karl |editor=Thomas Forsyth Torrance|series=The Doctrine of Creation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HgCHbIiBG30C|title=Church Dogmatics|volume=3, Part 2: The Creature|year=2004|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|isbn=978-0-567-05089-2}}
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Sermons from the Latins/Sermon 19|The Transfiguration]] |title=Sermons from the Latins|year=1902|publisher= Benziger Brothers|first=Robert|last=Bellarmine|author-link=Robert Bellarmine}}
* {{cite book|last=Birmingham|first=Mary |title=Word and Worship Workbook for Year B: For Ministry in Initiation, Preaching, Religious Education|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LRoWU8SO-hAC&pg=PA188|year=1999|publisher=Paulist Press|isbn=978-0-8091-3898-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Brown|first=David |title=The Divine Trinity|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H0JNAwAAQBAJ|year=2012|publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers|isbn=978-1-61097-750-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Carson|first=D. A. |title=The Gospel According to John|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zBRuo3LHyS4C|year=1991|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans|isbn=978-0-85111-749-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Chafer|first=Lewis Sperry |title=Systematic Theology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b-JfSYC8HSMC|year=1993|publisher=Kregel Academic|isbn=978-0-8254-2340-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Clowes|first=John |title=The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Explained According to Their Spiritual Meaning, in the Way of Question and Answer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fVwXAAAAYAAJ|year=1817|publisher=J. Gleave|location=Manchester}}
* {{cite book|last=Edwards|first=James R. |title=The Gospel According to Mark|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0MjWS_4La_EC|year=2002|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|isbn=978-0-85111-778-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Evans|first=Craig A. |title=The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: John's Gospel, Hebrews-Revelation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UzWD61mgp7EC|year=2005|publisher=David C Cook|isbn=978-0-7814-4228-2}}
* {{cite book|last=France|first=Richard T. |author-link=R. T. France|title=The Gospel According to Matthew: An Introduction and Commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sd94oAEACAAJ|year=1987|publisher=Inter-Varsity}}
* {{cite journal |title=Moses, Elijah, and Jesus' Divine Glory (Mark 9.2–8) |journal=New Testament Studies |last=Friedeman |first=Caleb T. |issue=1 |volume=70 |pages=61–71 |doi=10.1017/S0028688523000279 |year=2024 |issn=0028-6885 |doi-access=free}}
* {{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Paul D. |title=New International Encyclopedia of Bible Characters: The Complete Who's Who in the Bible|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vxNRCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT218|year=2015|publisher=Zondervan|isbn=978-0-310-52950-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Garland|first=David E. |author-link=David E. Garland|title=Reading Matthew: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the First Gospel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CKue4eT83gC|year=2001|publisher=Smyth & Helwys Publishing|isbn=978-1-57312-274-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Greswell|first=Edward |title=Dissertations upon the principles and arrangement of a harmony of the Gospels|url=https://archive.org/details/dissertationsup00unkngoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/dissertationsup00unkngoog/page/n353 335]|year=1830}}
* {{cite book|last=Guroian|first=Vigen |title=The Melody of Faith: Theology in an Orthodox Key|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bICy3pj_JpQC|year=2010|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing|isbn=978-0-8028-6496-3}}
* {{cite book|last1=Harding|first1=Mark |last2=Nobbs|first2=Alanna |title=The Content and the Setting of the Gospel Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UNIelnuGATgC|year=2010|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans |isbn=978-0-8028-3318-1}}
* {{cite book|last=Hare|first=Douglas R. A. |title=Mark|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DchfUf2MIg8C|year=1996|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|isbn=978-0-664-25551-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Healy|first=Nicholas M. |title=Thomas Aquinas: Theologian of the Christian Life|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6ImC3rMQ7T0C|year=2003|publisher=Ashgate|isbn=978-0-7546-1472-2}}
*{{cite book|last=Hendriksen|first=William |title=Exposition of the Gospel According to Matthew|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6j8SvQEACAAJ|year=1973|publisher=Baker Book House|isbn=978-0-8010-4066-5}}
*{{cite book|first=Flavius |last=Josephus|title= The Works of Flavius Josephus|translator= William Whiston|location= Auburn and Buffalo|publisher= John E. Beardsley|date= 1895}}
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture/XXXVII. The Transfiguration|Chapter XXXVII. The Transfiguration]]|title=A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture|year=1910|publisher=B. Herder|first=Friedrich Justus|last=Knecht}}
* {{cite book|last=Langan|first=Thomas |title=The Catholic Tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/catholictraditio00lang_0|url-access=registration|year=1998|publisher=University of Missouri Press|isbn=978-0-8262-1183-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Lee|first=Dorothy |title=Transfiguration|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=31vUAwAAQBAJ|year=2004|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|isbn=978-0-8264-7595-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Lightfoot|first=John |title=The Whole Works of the Rev. John Lightfoot: Master of Catharine Hall, Cambridge|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RaUHAQAAIAAJ|volume=1|year=1825|publisher=J.F. Dove|location=London|isbn=9781548466398 }}
* {{cite book|last=Lockyer|first=Herbert |title=All the Miracles of the Bible|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wZwTh2-WIb0C|year=1988|publisher=Harper Collins|isbn=978-0-310-28101-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Louth|first=Andrew |editor=Stephen C. Barton|title=Holiness: Past and Present|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uZlLYdqj5vkC&pg=PR217|year=2003|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-0-567-08823-9|chapter=Holiness and the Vision of God in the Eastern Fathers}}
* {{cite book|last=Luther|first=Martin|author-link=Martin Luther|title=Luther's Church Postil Gospels: Advent, Christmas and Epiphany sermons. 1905|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KBJNAQAAMAAJ|year=1905|publisher=Lutherans in All Lands Company|quote=When he was transfigured on the mount, Math. 17, 3, Moses and Elijah stood by him; that means, the law and the prophets as his two witnesses, which are signs pointing to him}}
* {{cite book|last1=Majerník|first1=Ján |last2=Ponessa|first2=Joseph |last3=Manhardt|first3=Laurie Watson |title=Come and See: The Synoptics: On the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cqP5xHXGYPQC|year=2005|publisher=Emmaus Road Publishing|isbn=978-1-931018-31-9}}
*{{cite book|last=Malbon|first=Elizabeth Struthers |title=Narrative Space and Mythic Meaning in Mark|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T8bYAAAAMAAJ|year=1986|publisher=Harper & Row|isbn=978-0-06-254540-4}}
* {{Citation | last =Meistermann | first =Barnabas | contribution =Transfiguration | year =1912 | title =[[The Catholic Encyclopedia]] | volume =XV | place=New York | publisher =Robert Appleton Company | contribution-url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15019a.htm}}
* {{cite book|last=Moule|first=C. F. D. |title=Essays in New Testament Interpretation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zFA9AAAAIAAJ|year=1982|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-23783-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Palamas|first=Saint Gregory |editor=John Meyendorff|title=The Triads|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8jcjtUbwptwC|year=1983|publisher=Paulist Press|isbn=978-0-8091-2447-3|author-link=Gregory Palamas}}
* {{cite book|last=Poe|first=Harry Lee |title=The Gospel and Its Meaning: A Theology for Evangelism and Church Growth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S0_Qsh7MkMIC|year=1996|publisher=Zondervan|isbn=978-0-310-20172-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Puthiadam|first=Ignatius |title=Christian Liturgy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZNcIUpRGQoYC|year=2003|publisher=St Paul Society|location=Bombay|isbn=978-81-7109-585-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Rutter|first=Henry |title=Evangelical Harmony: Or, The History of the Life and Doctrine of Our Lord Jesus Christ, According to the Four Evangelists|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ke8HAQAAIAAJ|year=1803|publisher=Keating, Brown, and Keating|location=London}}
* {{cite book|last=Thunø|first=Erik |title=Image and Relic: Mediating the Sacred in Early Medieval Rome|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j9voXLSGY4wC|year=2002|publisher=L'Erma di Bretschneider|isbn=978-88-8265-217-3}}
* {{cite book|last=van Oosterzee|first=Johannes Jacobus |title=Theological and Homiletical Commentary on the Gospel of Luke|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mBBAAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA318|volume=1|year=1866|quote=The only really formidable difficulty is that adduced by De Wette, from Robinson, that, at this period, the summit of Tabor was occupied by a fortress. But even if Antiochus the Great fortified this mountain BC 219, this by no means proves that a fortress existed in the time of Christ; while if, as Josephus tells us, it was fortified against the Romans, this must certainly have happened forty years later}}
* {{cite book|last=Warren|first=Thomas S. |title=Dead Men Talking: What Dying Teaches Us about Living|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VyiJgtwX3moC|year=2005|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-0-595-33627-2|quote=The Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8) At first glance, this passage may seem to indicate that Moses and Elijah are alive even though Moses was ... The same Greek word, (Grk. orama), is used to describe the action in each scene...}}
* {{cite book|last=Whittaker|first=H. A.|title=Studies in the Gospels|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6WeuPAAACAAJ |year=1984|publisher=Biblia|location=Cannock }}
* {{cite book|last=Wiersbe|first=Warren W. |title=The Wiersbe Bible Commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tUyHNAEACAAJ|year=2007|publisher=David C Cook|isbn=978-0-7814-4541-2}}

{{Refend}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|Transfiguration}}

{{Commons category|Transfiguration of Jesus Christ}}
* [http://www.bartleby.com/210/8/061.html "The Transfiguration of Our Lord"], ''Butler's Lives of the Saints''
* {{CathEncy|wstitle=Transfiguration}}
* [https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/angelus/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20060312_en.html Pope Benedict XVI on Transfiguration of Jesus]
* [http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=102215 The Holy Transfiguration of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ] Orthodox [[icon]] and [[synaxarion]]

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Gospel harmony|Life of Jesus]]: [[Miracles attributed to Jesus|Miracles]]|||}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Confession of Peter|Peter's Confession of Christ]]<br><small>[[Ministry of Jesus]]</small>}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[New Testament]]<br>Events}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Parable of the Unmerciful Servant]]<br><small>[[Parables of Jesus]]</small>}}
{{s-end}}

{{Miracles of Jesus}}
{{Jesus footer}}
{{Gospel of Matthew}}
{{Gospel of Mark}}
{{Gospel of Luke}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transfiguration Of Jesus}}
[[Category:Catholic holy days]]
[[Category:Christian festivals and holy days]]
[[Category:New Testament miracles]]
[[Category:Gospel episodes]]
[[Category:Luminous Mysteries]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Moses]]
[[Category:Elijah]]
[[Category:Mount Tabor]]