The Transfiguration

[Checkpoint]

[Elijah John]

The Transfiguration of Jesus is described in each of the three synoptic Gospels.

These passages are Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-9; and Luke 9:28-36.

Peter writes about it in 2 Peter 1:16-18.

Scriptures that raise a number of questions for debate, such as:

1) Did Jesus tell anyone in advance this would happen?

2) Why did it happen?

3) Were Moses and Elijah literally there?

4) Why did Moses and Elijah appear and then disappear?

5) Does what God said have any particular significance?

6) Why did Jesus say to tell no one about it until after his resurrection?

1) No, seems it "came out of the blue" literally..
2) Moses represents the Law, Elijah the Prophets. God was seemingly telling the apostles present, (and the Gospel Evangelists, their readership) that Jesus and his message are even more important than the Law and the Prophets.
3) Not sure it's important if Moses and Elijah (or their spirits) were literally there. It was a vision designed to convey a message.
4) As opposed to appearing, then staying on?
5) See answer #2
6) Good and thought provoking question.

[JehovahsWitness]

Scriptures that raise a number of questions for debate, such as:

Here are the answers according the JEHOVAH'S WITNESS beliefs.

1) Did Jesus tell anyone in advance this would happen?

Yes

2) Why did it happen?

To strengthen the faith of the Apostles and prepare them for the ordeal of witnessing his (Jesus) execution.

3) Were Moses and Elijah literally there?

No, it was a vision.

4) Why did Moses and Elijah appear and then disappear?

They appeared because they were two of Israel's greatest Prophets, one of which (Elijah) prefigured the role of John the Baptist the other (Moses) that announced the coming of the the "Great Prophet" , Jesus himself.

The figures dissappeared because the vision was not scheduled to continue indefinitely.

5) Does what God said have any particular significance?

Yes, it was essential that the Apostles listened closely to what Jesus had to say especially as regards to his subsequent death and resurrection.

6) Why did Jesus say to tell no one about it until after his resurrection?

Because after only after Jesus death and resurrection would the issue of why he died and was subsequently resurrected need to be clarified.





JW

[polonius]

JW posted:

Checkpoint wrote:
3) Were Moses and Elijah literally there?


No, it was a vision.

RESPONSE: So it was only a vision not a real happening.

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 2 by Elijah John]

2) Moses represents the Law, Elijah the Prophets. God was seemingly telling the apostles present, (and the Gospel Evangelists, their readership) that Jesus and his message are even more important than the Law and the Prophets.

That is, in my understanding, absolutely spot on.

"More important", as in "replace", or "over-ride", or what?

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 3 by JehovahsWitness]

Checkpoint wrote:

1) Did Jesus tell anyone in advance this would happen?


Yes

What verses, if any, do you consider confirm your answer?

[Checkpoint]

[Replying to post 2 by Elijah John]

Checkpoint asked

6) Why did Jesus say to tell no one about it until after his resurrection?

You commented

Good and thought provoking question.

Thanks.

Penny for your thoughts!

Got any thoughtful ideas on this one for us yet?

[Checkpoint]

JW posted:

Checkpoint wrote:
3) Were Moses and Elijah literally there?


No, it was a vision.

RESPONSE: So it was only a vision not a real happening.

A vision is a real happening.

In real time, in a real place, to real people who have real memories of such real experiences.

[JehovahsWitness]

JW posted:

Checkpoint wrote:
3) Were Moses and Elijah literally there?


No, it was a vision.

RESPONSE: So it was only a vision not a real happening.

I believe it really happened that the four really saw a real vision.

In other words I believe the account of the disciples seeing a vision really happened and that they literally heard the voice of God on that occasion.


JW

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 3 by JehovahsWitness]

Checkpoint wrote:

1) Did Jesus tell anyone in advance this would happen?


Yes

What verses, if any, do you consider confirm your answer?

MATTHEW 16:28

"Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

I explain my understanding of the verse earlier, here us the link
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 172#752172