Matthew 17:1

The Synoptic evangelists rarely mentioned exact periods of time. Consequently there was probably a good reason Matthew did so here. Probably he did so to show that what happened on the mountain fulfilled what Jesus predicted would happen in Matthew 16:28. The reference provides a sturdy link between the two events: prediction and fulfillment.

Peter, James, and John constituted Jesus’ handpicked inner circle of disciples (cf. Matthew 26:37; Mark 5:37). They were evidently the best prepared and most receptive of the Twelve to receive this revelation, not the best loved, since Jesus loved all His disciples equally. Interestingly when Moses ascended Mt. Sinai he took with him three companions: Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu (Exodus 24:1).

The mountain where the Transfiguration happened is traditionally Mt. Tabor, a 1,900-foot hill that rises conspicuously at the east end of the Jezreel Valley. However, Josephus wrote that there was a walled fortress on its summit then. [Note: Josephus, The Wars . . ., 2:20:6; 4:1:8.] This fact throws doubt on the traditional identification. Other scholars have suggested Mt. Hermon as the site. It was close to Caesarea Philippi, and it was 9,232 feet high. [Note: E.g., Edersheim, The Life . . ., 2:96.] This was probably the location. Another suggestion is Mt. Miron, the highest mountain in Israel between Caesarea Philippi and Capernaum at 3,926 feet (cf. Matthew 17:22; Matthew 17:24). [Note: Walter L. Leifeld, "Theological Motifs in the Transfiguration Narrative," in New Dimensions in New Testament Study, p. 167, footnote 27.] A fourth possibility is Mt. Arbel on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. It is a high mountain from which the whole of the Sea of Galilee is visible.

Fortunately we do not have to identify the mountain to understand the text. It is significant that the Transfiguration happened on a mountain, however. Moses and Elijah both had intimate encounters with God on mountains, probably Mt. Sinai in both cases (Exodus 19; Exodus 24; 1 Kings 19). A close encounter with God is what Jesus’ three disciples had, too. These were very special revelatory events in all three instances. The location of these "mountain top experiences" also insured privacy.