Mark 9:1-13

Written By Jodi Figgins

Read Mark 9:1-13

Helpful Background Information: 

  • In Mark 9:1–13, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain, where He is transfigured before them. Moses and Elijah appear, talking with Jesus about His coming death and resurrection. These two people represent the Law and the Prophets, showing that all of Scripture points to and finds its fulfillment in Jesus. For a brief moment, the disciples see the hidden reality of who Jesus truly is: the Son of God in His majesty.

  • Peter, overwhelmed and unsure of what to say, suggests building shelters for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. But a cloud of God’s presence overshadows them, and a voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.” As they descend the mountain, He tells them not to share what they saw until after His resurrection. 

  • The disciples, still confused about His talk of suffering and rising again, ask about Elijah’s return. (The coming of Elijah before the Messiah was clearly prophesied in Malachi 4:5-6. So the disciples wondered, “If Jesus is the Messiah, then where is Elijah?”) Jesus explains that while Elijah will come again before His return, Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist. Like John, the Son of Man would first suffer before entering His glory.

Reflection Questions: 

  • Why do you think Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to witness His transfiguration?

  • What does God’s command (“This is my beloved Son; listen to Him”) mean for us today?

  • Why do you think Jesus told the disciples not to speak about what they saw until after His resurrection?

Jodi Figgins
Next

3 John