Introduction Why Did Moses and Elijah Appear on the Mountain?
The transfiguration of Jesus is one of the most remarkable and mysterious events in the New Testament, where Jesus took three of His disciples—Peter, James, and John—up a high mountain. There, they witnessed Jesus’ face shining like the sun, His clothes becoming as white as light, and, most importantly, Moses and Elijah appearing beside Him. This powerful event has deep theological significance, and many wonder why Moses and Elijah, specifically, appeared on the mountain with Jesus. This article will explore the meaning and importance of their presence, diving into the symbolism, biblical context, and its relevance to believers today.
The Context of the Transfiguration
The transfiguration of Jesus is recorded in three of the Synoptic Gospels: Matthew 17:1–13, Mark 9:2–13, and Luke 9:28–36. This event occurs after Jesus foretold His death and resurrection and encouraged His disciples to take up their crosses and follow Him. The transfiguration serves as a divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity and mission. The appearance of Moses and Elijah beside Jesus adds a significant layer of meaning, bridging the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Who Were Moses and Elijah?
Moses
Moses is a towering figure in the Old Testament, recognized as the lawgiver and the one chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai and is often associated with the Law (the Torah). His life and leadership are central to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. He is also seen as a type of Christ in various theological interpretations.
Elijah
Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament, was a staunch defender of monotheism and the worship of Yahweh in Israel. He was known for his miracles, his confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and for being taken to heaven in a chariot of fire without dying. Elijah is a symbol of the prophets and represents the prophetic tradition that foretold the coming of the Messiah.
The Symbolism of Moses and Elijah’s Appearance
The Law and the Prophets
The appearance of Moses and Elijah symbolizes the Law and the Prophets, two major sections of the Old Testament. Moses represents the Law, the foundational covenant between God and Israel. In contrast, Elijah describes the Prophets, who consistently called Israel to faithfulness to the covenant and foretold the coming of the Messiah. Together, they signify that Jesus is the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets.
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 5:17,
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”
The presence of Moses and Elijah at the transfiguration visually and theologically underscores this point: Jesus is the culmination of everything that was written in the Old Testament.
Validation of Jesus’ Mission
The appearance of these two great figures serves as a divine endorsement of Jesus’ mission. Moses and Elijah both had profound experiences with God on mountains—Moses on Mount Sinai and Elijah on Mount Horeb. Now, on another mountain, they appear with Jesus, affirming His identity as the Son of God and the chosen one who would bring redemption to humanity. Their presence signifies that Jesus’ upcoming death and resurrection are not a deviation from God’s plan but its fulfillment.
The Eschatological Role of Elijah
In Jewish eschatology, Elijah has a prominent role as the one who would precede the coming of the Messiah. Malachi 4:5 states,
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.”
The disciples, familiar with this prophecy, asked Jesus about Elijah after the transfiguration, and Jesus responded that Elijah had already come, referring to John the Baptist, who came in the
“spirit and power of Elijah”
(Luke 1:17)
The appearance of Elijah alongside Jesus thus links the transfiguration to the messianic hope of Israel and signals that the time of fulfillment has arrived.
The Meaning for the Disciples
For Peter, James, and John, witnessing this event would have been overwhelming. They saw Jesus in His glorified state, conversing with two of the most significant figures in their religious tradition. This experience not only confirmed Jesus’ divine nature but also prepared them for the suffering and death that Jesus had already foretold.
Peter’s Reaction
Peter, in his enthusiasm, offered to build three shelters—one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. This may have been a reference to the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorates Israel’s time in the wilderness when they lived in temporary shelters. However, Peter’s offer also indicated that he did not fully grasp the significance of the moment. The focus was not on staying on the mountain but on what Jesus would accomplish in Jerusalem.
The Voice of God
While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him” (Matthew 17:5)
This was the second time God the Father publicly affirmed Jesus, the first being at His baptism. The command to “listen to Him” emphasized that Jesus’ words carried divine authority. Moses and Elijah, as representatives of the Law and the Prophets, fade into the background, and Jesus stands alone as the ultimate revelation of God’s will.
Theological Implications of the Transfiguration
Christ’s Divinity
The transfiguration offers a glimpse into the divine nature of Jesus. His appearance changes dramatically, and He radiates glory. This momentary revelation of His divine nature points to the reality that, although Jesus walked on earth in human form, He is the eternal Son of God. The disciples needed this revelation, especially as they were about to witness Jesus’ suffering and death. The transfiguration provided them with a foretaste of the glory that would follow the cross.
The Fulfillment of the Old Testament
The presence of Moses and Elijah signifies that Jesus is the fulfillment of all that was written in the Old Testament. The Law and the Prophets pointed forward to Him. Jesus did not come to start a new religion but to fulfill the promises of the old covenant and establish a new covenant through His death and resurrection. This is a crucial aspect of Christian theology: Jesus is the completion of God’s plan of salvation as revealed in the Scriptures.
The Kingdom of God
The Transfiguration is a preview of the coming kingdom of God. Jesus said in Matthew 16:28,
“Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming into His kingdom.”
The transfiguration fulfills this promise as the disciples witness Jesus in His glorified state. This event foreshadows the glory that awaits believers in the future when Christ returns in power and majesty.
The Connection Between Moses, Elijah, and Jesus’ Mission
Moses and Jesus as Deliverers
Moses delivered the Israelites from physical bondage in Egypt, while Jesus delivered humanity from spiritual bondage to sin and death. Both figures are mediators of a covenant: Moses mediated the old covenant, which was based on the Law, and Jesus mediates the new covenant, which is based on grace and faith in His atoning work. The transfiguration highlights Jesus as the greater Moses, who would lead His people into the ultimate Promised Land—eternal life.
Elijah and Jesus as Prophets
Elijah was a prophet who called Israel to repentance and fidelity to God, often standing against idolatry and false worship. Jesus, like Elijah, called people to repentance and proclaimed the coming of the kingdom of God. However, Jesus is greater than Elijah because He is not only a prophet but also the fulfillment of all prophecy. Where Elijah called people to turn back to God, Jesus provides the way for reconciliation with God through His death and resurrection.
The Role of the Transfiguration in Christian Theology
The transfiguration is not just a historical event but also carries deep theological significance for Christians today. It provides insight into who Jesus is, the nature of His mission, and what it means to follow Him. Several key theological points emerge from the transfiguration:
Jesus’ Unique Status as Son of God
The transfiguration underscores Jesus’ identity as the unique Son of God. The Father’s voice from heaven makes it clear that Jesus is not merely a prophet or teacher but the beloved Son. This is foundational to Christian belief, as it sets Jesus apart from all other religious figures.
The Call to Listen to Jesus
God’s command to “listen to Him” emphasizes that Jesus’ teachings carry divine authority. For Christians, this means that Jesus’ words should be the ultimate guide for faith and life. Moses and Elijah, as great as they were, point to Jesus, and it is His message that believers are called to follow.
A Glimpse of Future Glory
The Transfiguration provides a foretaste of the glory that awaits Jesus and His followers. Just as Jesus was transfigured, believers are promised that they, too, will be transformed and share in His glory. This event encourages Christians to persevere through trials and suffering, knowing that the ultimate victory has already been won.
Conclusion
The appearance of Moses and Elijah on the mountain during the transfiguration of Jesus is rich with meaning. Moses represents the Law, Elijah the Prophets, and together they affirm that Jesus is the fulfillment of both. Their presence alongside Jesus reveals the continuity between the Old and New Testaments, highlighting that Jesus is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. For the disciples, this event provided a much-needed revelation of Jesus’ divine glory, preparing them for the challenges ahead. For believers today, the transfiguration remains a powerful reminder of Jesus’ unique role as the Son of God, the fulfillment of Scripture, and the promise of future glory for all who follow Him.