Transfiguration | Christianity, Description, Importance, Meaning, Scripture, & Facts (2024)

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The Transfiguration of Christ

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Feast of the Transfiguration

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Transfiguration, in theNew Testament, the occasion upon whichJesus Christtook three of hisdisciples,Peter,James, andJohn, up on a mountain, whereMosesandElijahappeared and Jesus wastransfigured, his face and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright. The Transfiguration is recorded in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 9:2–13; Matthew 17:1–13; Luke 9:28–36) and is understood to have been the revelation of the eternal glory of the second person of theTrinity, which was normally veiled during Christ’s life on earth. The event can also be interpreted as an anticipatory Resurrection appearance, and the presence of the two prophets is often taken to signify Christ’s fulfillment of the Mosaic Law and the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible (the Christian Old Testament). The Feast of the Transfiguration is celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches on August 6, and the Transfiguration is ranked alongside Jesus’ baptism and the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension as a key milestone of his life and ministry.

In the Gospel accounts, after foretelling his death and Resurrection, Jesus and his three disciples went to “a high mountain” to be away from the crowds. There, Jesus’ face began to shine like the sun and his clothes became miraculously white. As the disciples looked on, Elijah and Moses suddenly appeared in glory and talked with the transfigured Jesus. Peter then offered to make three dwellings, one for Jesus and one for each of the two supernatural guests, but was interrupted by a voice from a bright cloud that said, “This is my Son, the Beloved;with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5). Having collapsed in fear, the disciples were comforted by Jesus, who then urged them to keep silent about these events until after his Resurrection (Mark 9:9; Matthew 17:9). According to tradition, the event took place onMount Tabor. The Transfiguration is also referenced in the Second Letter of Peter, where Peter’s presence as an eyewitness to Christ’s majesty is used to assure the readers that his message is true (1:16–18).

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There is a long history of Christian art depicting the Transfiguration. By the 6th century, scenes of the event frequently featured Christ enshrined in a mandorla, an almond-shaped aureole of light surrounding the entire figure of a holy person. In the 15th century, however, with the growth of naturalism in art, the mandorla became less popular, beingincongruousin a naturalisticcontext, and it was abandoned by the painters of the Renaissance.

Melissa Petruzzello The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Transfiguration | Christianity, Description, Importance, Meaning, Scripture, & Facts (2024)

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Transfiguration | Christianity, Description, Importance, Meaning, Scripture, & Facts? ›

Transfiguration

Transfiguration
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event described in the New Testament, where Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36) recount the occasion, and the Second Epistle of Peter also refers to it (2 Peter 1:16–18).
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Transfiguration_of_Jesus
[N] An event in Jesus' life in which his appearance was radiantly transformed. The transfiguration is recorded in each of the Synoptic Gospels
Synoptic Gospels
The gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to as the synoptic Gospels because they include many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence and in similar or sometimes identical wording. They stand in contrast to John, whose content is largely distinct.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Synoptic_Gospels
( Matt 17:1-9 ; Mark 9:2-10 ; Luke 9
Luke 9
Luke 9 is the ninth chapter of the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It records the sending of the twelve disciples, several great miracles performed by Jesus, the story of his transfiguration, Peter's confession and the final departure from Galilee towards Jerusalem.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Luke_9
:28-36 ) and in 2 Peter 1:16-21. The place of this event is "a high mountain" ( Matt 17:1 ; Mark 9:2 ).

What was the meaning and importance of the Transfiguration? ›

The Transfiguration is recorded in all three of the Synoptic Gospels (Mark 9:2–13; Matthew 17:1–13; Luke 9:28–36) and is understood to have been the revelation of the eternal glory of the second person of the Trinity, which was normally veiled during Christ's life on earth.

What are the spiritual messages of the Transfiguration? ›

This appearance was an affirmation of Jesus as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets. The whole phenomenon of the transfiguration was an affirmation of Jesus as the Messiah. For a moment the glass, through which only half-truth could be seen, was removed, and the ultimate truth was revealed.

What is the moral lesson of the Transfiguration? ›

As simple as it may sound, what we can learn from the Transfiguration is this: Christian community that pleases the Father and honors His Word is all about Jesus–who He is, what He has done, and what matters. The Christian community is preoccupied with Jesus because heaven is preoccupied with Jesus.

What lesson does the Transfiguration teach the apostles? ›

It showed them that Jesus truly was from God. Just before this transfiguration event, Peter had confessed that Jesus was the son of the Living God. (Matthew 16:13-20) Now, the transfiguration displays this truth in a magnificent way.

What is the function of the Transfiguration? ›

The transfiguration's pivotal mandate has been urging the disciples and the audience to heed the challenge of Jesus' passion predictions in order to understand that Jesus is truly God's beloved and favored Son by dying on the cross (unlike Moses and Elijah) with faith that God will vindicate him by raising him from ...

Why did Jesus only take three disciples to the Transfiguration? ›

Essentially, these three apostles were more intimately associated with the suffering of Christ: first Pope (Peter), first Martyr (James), only Apostle at the crucifixion and guardian of Mary (John). Their intense suffering required them to be present at the Transfiguration and the Agony in the Garden.

What is the importance of the Transfiguration to Christians today? ›

The transfiguration not only supports the identity of Jesus as the Son of God (as in his baptism), but the statement "listen to him", identifies him as the messenger and mouth-piece of God.

What do they teach in Transfiguration? ›

Transfiguration was a subject and core class taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Uagadou. It taught the art of changing the form and appearance of an object or a person.

What is the symbol of the Transfiguration? ›

In most transfiguration icons, the right hand of Christ is lifted up as the sign of blessing and His left hand contains a scroll that signifies He is the Word of God in the flesh. The perfect circle of light around Christ represents His divine glory and transforming light.

What is the value of the Transfiguration? ›

The Transfiguration represents a prefiguration of the Last Judgment, and of the final defeat of the Devil. Another interpretation is that the epileptic boy has been cured, thus linking the divinity of Christ with his healing power.

What is the message of this mystery of Transfiguration in your life? ›

This mystery can help us realize that as we converse with God and gaze upon His goodness and beauty in prayer, we are to be transfigured, so to speak, so that our desires, thoughts, words, and actions become more united to Jesus, the always obedient Son of the Eternal Father.

What is the mystery of the Transfiguration? ›

The Transfiguration of Our Lord is the mystery of light par excellence. It announces Christ's Resurrection, the final victory of light over darkness, life over death. We see in the glory of God shinning forth from the face of Christ the promise of our own resurrection and eternal life.

What is the deeper meaning of Transfiguration? ›

A voice spoke: “This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him. Listen to what he says!” (Matthew 17.5, CEV). The importance of the transfiguration is that Jesus' true nature as the son of God was disclosed and a promise of his future glory was given. The transfiguration is confirmation of our faith.

Why is the transfiguration so important? ›

At the Basilica, the Transfiguration is depicted in the Rosary Walk and Garden, the Our Lady of Pompei Chapel, and the Incarnation Dome. This event is significant in Jesus' life and ministry because it confirms his divinity and demonstrates how he fulfills the Old Testament scriptures.

What did God say at the Transfiguration? ›

A bright cloud enveloped them and a voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him.”

Why is the Transfiguration by Raphael important? ›

The painting exemplifies Raphael's development as an artist and the culmination of his career. Unusually for a depiction of the Transfiguration of Jesus in Christian art, the subject is combined with the next episode from the Gospels (the healing of a possessed boy) in the lower part of the painting.

What was the purpose of Transfiguration in Mark 9? ›

Six days later, Jesus leads his three closest disciples (Peter, James and John) up a high mountain where they are alone. This is one of the most dramatic events recorded in Mark's Gospel and reveals the true identity of Jesus.

What is the meaning of the Church of the Transfiguration? ›

The Church of the Transfiguration (Hebrew: כנסיית ההשתנות) is a Franciscan church located on Mount Tabor in Israel. It is traditionally believed to be the site where the Transfiguration of Jesus took place, an event in the Gospels in which Jesus is transfigured upon an unnamed mountain and speaks with Moses and Elijah.

What is the difference between transformation and Transfiguration? ›

To be transformed means to become thoroughly or dramatically different. It's still a neutral term: transformation may be thorough, but it's not necessarily better. But to be transfigured means to be elevated, to become thoroughly or dramatically more beautiful.

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