Mark 9:1-13

Mark 9:1-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”

The Transfiguration

2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one[a] on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,[b] it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son;[c] listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.

9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. Andhow is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Personal Insights

This is an amazing glimpse of Jesus in His glorified state not in His humble human state. No wonder Peter, James and John were so afraid. This scene before them was out of this world. Can you imagine standing on this mountain top with Jesus and Elijah and Moses appear? Men that you have heard of many times and now you stand in their presence. For most of us we would be dumbstruck at the sight but not Peter. He always has something to say even when he is fearful. We learn so much from Peter’s inquisitive nature even if it gets him into trouble sometimes.

The verse that jumped out at me from this section is verse 7 when God speaks. God authenticates again who Jesus is and the loving relationship that they have. The next three words are important…”Listen to Him”. God is telling the three disciples to listen to Jesus. Be obedient, do what He says. God is very straightforward in what He is asking of them. How would we respond if we had been Peter, James or John and heard those words. This obviously made an impression on Peter as he talks about this experience in 2 Peter 1:16-18. How would our relationship with Jesus change after this event? Do we take the time to listen or are we too busy doing? God has a lot to teach us about Himself if we only take the time to listen and know Him better.