Introduction Peter Missed the Point of the Transfiguration
The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ stands as one of the most mysterious and awe-inspiring moments in the New Testament. When Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain, His appearance dramatically changed, revealing His divine glory in front of their very eyes.
This scene is described in the Gospels of Matthew (17:1–9), Mark (9:2–8), and Luke (9:28–36), with each narrative providing slight variations in the details but sharing the same core elements.
One of the most interesting figures during this event is Peter, who, in his enthusiasm, appears to have missed the profound point of the experience. But did Peter really miss the point of the Transfiguration?
The Transfiguration: A Brief Overview
Before delving into Peter’s reaction, it’s important to summarize the events of the Transfiguration. Jesus took three of His closest disciples—Peter, James, and John—up a high mountain to pray. As He prayed, His face began to shine like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, two figures appeared:
Moses and Elijah, represent the Law and the Prophets. These two men conversed with Jesus about His impending departure, referring to His crucifixion in Jerusalem.
A cloud then enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud declared,
“This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!”
This divine voice echoes what was said at Jesus’ baptism, reaffirming His identity as the Son of God. The disciples, overwhelmed by the spectacle, fell face-down in fear.
Peter’s Reaction to the Transfiguration
In the midst of this divine revelation, Peter, always quick to speak, interjects with an idea:
“Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”
Matthew 17:4
Mark’s Gospel adds that Peter was so terrified by what he witnessed that he didn’t know what to say (Mark 9:6).
At first glance, Peter’s reaction seems well-meaning. His desire to build shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah could be interpreted as an act of respect and reverence. However, Peter’s suggestion might have revealed a misunderstanding of the true significance of the event.
Why did Peter propose such a practical solution in the midst of such a supernatural experience? Was he trying to preserve the moment, or was he attempting to take control of the situation in a way that missed the deeper point?
The Symbolism of the Transfiguration
The Transfiguration is rich in theological symbolism, and it can be understood as a preview of Christ’s glorification and His second coming. It represents the intersection of the divine and the human, the eternal and the temporal. Jesus’ radiant appearance points to His divinity, while His discussion with Moses and Elijah emphasizes His role as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
The event occurs right after Jesus speaks of His impending death, suggesting that the Transfiguration offers a glimpse of the glory that will follow His suffering.
The presence of Moses and Elijah is also significant. Moses, as the giver of the Law, and Elijah, the great prophet, represent the Old Covenant, which is now being fulfilled in Christ. The voice of God from the cloud reinforces this message by focusing the disciples’ attention solely on Jesus:
“This is my Son… listen to Him!”
God’s instruction to listen to Jesus indicates that He is the ultimate authority, surpassing even the Law and the Prophets.
Why Peter’s Proposal Missed the Point
Peter’s desire to build three shelters, or tents, reveals that he may not have fully grasped the significance of the Transfiguration. By proposing to develop structures for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, Peter was putting all three figures on an equal footing, perhaps seeing them as three spiritual luminaries worthy of equal honor.
However, this misses the fact that Jesus is not merely another prophet or lawgiver—He is the Son of God, the fulfillment of everything that Moses and Elijah represented.
Additionally, Peter’s suggestion to build shelters reflects a desire to preserve the moment. In Jewish tradition, the Feast of Tabernacles involved the construction of temporary shelters, which commemorated Israel’s wilderness journey and God’s provision during that time.
By proposing shelters, Peter may have been trying to create a lasting monument to this divine encounter. However, the Transfiguration was not meant to be preserved in physical form; it was a fleeting glimpse of Christ’s glory, intended to strengthen the disciples for the difficult path ahead.
Finally, Peter’s focus on building shelters may have been an attempt to avoid confronting the uncomfortable truth about Jesus’ impending suffering and death.
Just before the Transfiguration, Jesus had told His disciples that He would suffer, be rejected, and be killed, only to rise again on the third day. Peter, who had famously rebuked Jesus for predicting His own death (Matthew 16:22), might have seen the Transfiguration as a way to sidestep the grim reality of the cross.
By suggesting the construction of shelters, Peter was perhaps trying to prolong the glory of the moment and avoid the hard road that lay ahead.
The Lesson for Peter and for Us
Peter’s reaction to the Transfiguration offers a valuable lesson for all believers. Like Peter, we can sometimes be so eager to act that we miss the deeper meaning of what God is revealing to us.
In our zeal to preserve spiritual experiences or control the outcome of situations, we can lose sight of the bigger picture.
The key lesson of the Transfiguration is encapsulated in God’s command: “Listen to Him!” The Transfiguration was not about building physical monuments or clinging to moments of glory; it was about recognizing the supremacy of Jesus Christ and submitting to His authority.
Peter’s well-meaning but misguided suggestion reminds us that our focus should always be on Christ, not on our own plans or agendas.
Additionally, the Transfiguration teaches us that glory often comes through suffering. Jesus was transfigured before His disciples to prepare them for the trials that were to come, including His crucifixion.
In the same way, we are called to follow Christ not only in moments of glory but also in times of hardship, trusting that the suffering we endure in this life will ultimately lead to eternal glory with Him.
Peter’s Growth After the Transfiguration
Despite missing the point of the Transfiguration, Peter’s story didn’t end with this moment of misunderstanding. Peter went on to become one of the most prominent leaders of the early Christian church, and his later writings reflect a deeper understanding of the significance of Christ’s suffering and glory.
In his second epistle, Peter directly references the Transfiguration:
“For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain”
2 Peter 1:16–18
By the time Peter wrote this letter, he had come to fully grasp the significance of the Transfiguration. He now understood that it was a preview of Christ’s second coming and a confirmation of His divine identity.
Peter’s transformation from a disciple who frequently misunderstood Jesus’ mission to a bold witness of His majesty is a testament to the power of God’s grace and patience in shaping His followers.
The Transfiguration in Christian Theology
The Transfiguration has played a significant role in Christian theology, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox tradition. Orthodox theology views the Transfiguration as a moment of divine revelation in which the disciples were granted a glimpse of Christ’s divine nature.
This event is seen as a foretaste of theosis, the process by which believers are transformed into the likeness of God through union with Christ.
In the Western Christian tradition, the Transfiguration is often understood as a pivotal moment in Jesus’ earthly ministry, revealing His divine glory and foreshadowing His resurrection.
It also serves as a reminder that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and that His followers are called to listen to Him and follow His example, even when it leads to the cross.
The Importance of Listening to Jesus Today
Just as Peter was instructed to listen to Jesus on the mountain of Transfiguration, we too are called to listen to Him today. In a world filled with distractions, competing voices, and competing ideologies, it can be easy to lose sight of the One who truly matters.
The command to “listen to Him” remains as relevant now as it was 2,000 years ago.
Listening to Jesus means submitting to His authority and allowing His words to shape our lives. It means prioritizing His teachings over the noise of the world and seeking His will in every situation. It also means being willing to follow Him on the path of suffering, knowing that glory awaits those who remain faithful to the end.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Peter’s reaction to the Transfiguration may seem misguided at first, it offers profound insights into the human tendency to focus on the wrong things in moments of spiritual significance. Peter’s desire to build shelters, though well-intentioned, missed the deeper meaning of the event, which was to reveal the divine glory of Christ and to prepare the disciples for the challenges ahead.
The Transfiguration teaches us that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets and that we are called to listen to Him above all else. It reminds us that glory often comes through suffering and that we must be willing to follow Christ, even when the path is difficult.
Ultimately, Peter’s journey from misunderstanding to mature faith serves as an encouragement to all believers. Just as Peter grew in his understanding of Christ’s mission, so too can we grow in our faith as we continue to listen to Jesus and follow Him on the path to eternal glory.