The Transfiguration and the Return of Elijah
Mark 9:2-13
Mark.9.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- μετα: PREP
- ημερας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- εξ: PREP
- παραλαμβανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Πετρον: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιακωβον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιωαννην: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αναφερει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εις: PREP
- ορος: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- υψηλον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- κατ᾽ιδιαν: ADV
- μονους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- μετεμορφωθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- εμπροσθεν: PREP
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 17:1-2 (verbal): Matthew gives a near-verbatim account of the Transfiguration: Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and is transfigured before them.
- Luke 9:28-29 (verbal): Luke records the same event with similar details (Jesus ascending a mountain with Peter, John, and James and being transfigured), though with different emphases (prayer, timing).
- 2 Peter 1:16-18 (allusion): Peter recalls being an eyewitness of Jesus' majesty on the holy mountain and refers explicitly to the voice from heaven, alluding to the Transfiguration tradition.
- Exodus 34:29-35 (thematic): Moses' face shining after meeting God on Mount Sinai provides a typological background: transformation and radiant appearance after a theophany on a high mountain.
- Exodus 24:15-18 (structural): Moses' prolonged presence on the mountain in a cloud (God's glory) parallels the setting of a mountain, cloud, and divine manifestation surrounding the Transfiguration.
Alternative generated candidates
- And after six days Jesus took Peter, and James, and John, and led them up into a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them.
- After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and led them up into a high mountain by themselves; and he was transfigured before them.
Mark.9.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- ιματια: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- στιλβοντα: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,n
- λευκα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- λιαν: ADV
- οια: CONJ
- γναφευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επι: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- γης: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- ου: PART,neg
- δυναται: VERB,pres,mid,ind,3,sg
- ουτως: ADV
- λευκαναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 17:2 (verbal): Near-identical description of Jesus’ garments becoming exceedingly white—language about whiteness beyond human bleaching closely parallels Mark’s wording.
- Luke 9:29 (verbal): Lukan account of the Transfiguration uses similar imagery, describing Jesus’ clothing as dazzling or intensely white, matching Mark’s depiction.
- Exodus 34:29-30 (thematic): Moses’ face shining after encountering God provides an earlier OT precedent for radiance as a sign of divine presence, thematically parallel to Jesus’ radiant garments.
- Daniel 7:9 (allusion): The Ancient of Days is described with clothing white as snow; this majestic whiteness functions as a symbolic background for divine glory echoed in the Transfiguration.
- 2 Peter 1:17 (allusion): Peter’s epistle explicitly references the Transfiguration’s display of glory and divine voice—an early Christian reflection on the same revelatory episode Mark describes.
Alternative generated candidates
- And his garments became glistening, exceedingly white—such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
- And his garments became gleaming, intensely white—whiter than any launderer on earth could make them.
Mark.9.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ωφθη: VERB,aor,pass,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- Ηλιας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- συν: PREP
- Μωυσει: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- συλλαλουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 17:3 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the Transfiguration: Elijah and Moses appear and speak with Jesus; very similar wording and narrative context.
- Luke 9:30-31 (verbal): Parallel Transfiguration narrative noting Elijah and Moses' appearance and that they were speaking with Jesus, explicitly about his impending departure (exodus) in Jerusalem.
- Malachi 4:5-6 (allusion): Prophecy that Elijah will return before the great day of the LORD; Elijah's presence at the Transfiguration evokes this expected eschatological role and its fulfillment/fulfillment motif.
- 2 Kings 2:11 (thematic): Account of Elijah's being taken up into heaven; background to the expectation of Elijah's return and helps explain the significance of his reappearance with Moses at the Transfiguration.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were speaking with Jesus.
- And Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were speaking with Jesus.
Mark.9.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αποκριθεις: VERB,aor,pass,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- Ιησου·Ραββι: NOUN,dat/voc,sg,m
- καλον: ADJ,nom/acc,sg,neut
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- ωδε: ADV
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- ποιησωμεν: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,pl
- τρεις: NUM,acc,pl,f
- σκηνας: NOUN,acc,pl,f
- σοι: PRON,dat,sg,2
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Μωυσει: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Ηλια: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- μιαν: NUM,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Matthew 17:4 (quotation): Nearly word-for-word parallel of Peter’s remark on the Transfiguration: proposes making three booths/tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.
- Luke 9:33 (quotation): Synoptic parallel giving Peter’s suggestion to erect three tents; Luke adds that this occurred while Jesus was praying.
- Exodus 33:7 (allusion): Describes Moses’ 'tent of meeting' set apart for encountering God—background for the tent/tabernacle motif invoked by Peter.
- Leviticus 23:42-43 (thematic): Instructions for the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles (living in booths), which provides cultic and symbolic context for Peter’s suggestion to build 'skenai' (booths/tents).
- John 1:14 (verbal): Uses the verb eskēnōsen ('dwelt'/'tabernacled')—theological and linguistic resonance with Peter’s imagery of dwelling with Jesus (and Moses/Elijah) in tents.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'
- And Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
Mark.9.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ου: PART,neg
- γαρ: PART
- ηδει: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- αποκριθη: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- εκφοβοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- εγενοντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Luke 9:33 (verbal): Same Transfiguration episode; Luke explicitly states Peter 'did not realize what he was saying'—a verbal parallel to Mark's 'he did not know what to answer.'
- Matthew 17:4-6 (structural): Matthew's account of the Transfiguration parallels Mark's narrative and likewise records Peter's suggestion to make shelters and the disciples' fearful reaction when the cloud/voice appears.
- Mark 4:41 (thematic): Another Markan scene where the disciples are seized with fear in response to Jesus' display of supernatural authority ('Who then is this...?')—parallels the fear expressed at the Transfiguration.
- Luke 5:8 (thematic): Peter's overwhelmed, fearful response to a revelatory act (the miraculous catch of fish) echoes the disciples' fear and inability to answer in the Transfiguration narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he did not know what to say, for they were seized with great fear.
- For he did not know what to answer, for they were terrified.
Mark.9.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- νεφελη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- επισκιαζουσα: PART,pres,act,nom,sg,f
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- και: CONJ
- εγενετο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- φωνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- νεφελης·Ουτος: NOUN,gen,sg,f + DEM,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αγαπητος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ακουετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 17:5 (verbal): Parallel account of the Transfiguration; the heavenly voice similarly declares Jesus 'my beloved Son' and instructs the disciples to listen to him.
- Luke 9:34-35 (verbal): Luke's version of the Transfiguration includes the overshadowing cloud and a divine voice affirming Jesus as God's Son and commanding obedience.
- Matthew 3:17 (thematic): Heavenly voice at Jesus' baptism: 'This is my beloved Son,' another divine affirmation of Jesus' sonship and divine approval.
- Psalm 2:7 (allusion): OT precedent for divine sonship language ('You are my Son; today I have begotten you'); New Testament writers and the Transfiguration echo this royal/sonship motif.
- 2 Peter 1:17 (quotation): Peter explicitly recalls the Transfiguration voice in his testimony, citing the heavenly declaration about Jesus as evidence of his glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- And a cloud came and overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.'
- Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud: "This is my beloved Son; listen to him."
Mark.9.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εξαπινα: ADV
- περιβλεψαμενοι: VERB,aor,mid,part,nom,pl,m
- ουκετι: ADV
- ουδενα: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αλλα: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- μονον: ADV
- μεθ᾽εαυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
Parallels
- Matthew 17:8 (verbal): Almost identical wording concluding the Transfiguration: the disciples lift up their eyes and see no one except Jesus alone.
- Luke 9:28-36 (structural): Luke's account of the Transfiguration parallels the sequence and conclusion of Mark 9: the vision on the mountain, the presence of Moses and Elijah, and the aftermath when only Jesus remains and the event is to be kept private.
- 2 Peter 1:16-18 (allusion): Peter recalls being an eyewitness of Jesus' majesty on the 'holy mountain' and hearing the Father's voice—an explicit retrospective reference to the Transfiguration narrative.
- John 1:14 (thematic): John's statement that 'we have seen his glory' resonates with the Transfiguration's revelation of Jesus' glory, emphasizing the disciples' vision of Christ's unique glory.
- Exodus 34:29-35 (thematic): Moses' radiant face after a mountain encounter with God provides an Old Testament typological parallel: a mountain theophany that manifests divine glory centered on a single mediator.
Alternative generated candidates
- And suddenly, looking around, they saw no one with them any more but Jesus only.
- And suddenly, as they looked about, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
Mark.9.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- καταβαινοντων: PART,pres,act,gen,pl,masc
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- εκ: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ορους: NOUN,gen,sg,neut
- διεστειλατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις: PRO,dat,pl,3
- ινα: CONJ
- μηδενι: PRON,dat,sg,n
- α: PRON,nom,sg,n
- ειδον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- διηγησωνται: VERB,aor,mid,subj,3,pl
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- μη: PART
- οταν: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αναστη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 17:9 (verbal): Near-identical charge after the Transfiguration: Jesus tells the disciples not to relate the vision until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.
- Luke 9:36 (structural): Luke’s account likewise notes the disciples’ silence after the Transfiguration—no one was told in those days—parallel in outcome and narrative placement.
- Mark 8:30 (verbal): Earlier Markan instance of the 'tell no one' injunction (after Peter’s confession), illustrating the recurring 'Messianic secret' motif in Mark.
- Mark 8:31 (thematic): Jesus’ prediction that the Son of Man must suffer, be killed, and rise after three days; Mark 9:9’s timing ('until he has risen') echoes and depends on this passion–resurrection prediction.
- John 2:4 (thematic): John’s motif of Jesus withholding full revelation until his appointed 'hour' parallels Mark’s concern with timing when Jesus forbids disclosure of the vision.
Alternative generated candidates
- As they were coming down the mountain, he strictly charged them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
- As they came down from the mountain he charged them to tell no one the vision until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Mark.9.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- λογον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- εκρατησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- προς: PREP
- εαυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- συζητουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- εκ: PREP
- νεκρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αναστηναι: VERB,aor,act,inf
Parallels
- Matthew 17:9 (verbal): Parallel Transfiguration pericope—Jesus charges them to tell no one until the Son of Man is raised, echoing the theme of secrecy and the coming resurrection mentioned in Mark 9:10.
- Luke 9:45 (thematic): Luke records the disciples' failure to understand Jesus' prediction and that it was concealed from them; thematically parallels Mark's note that they discussed what 'rising from the dead' would mean.
- Mark 9:31-32 (verbal): Immediate Markan parallel: an explicit prediction that Jesus will be delivered, killed, and rise again, with the repeated note that the disciples did not understand—same wording and narrative function.
- John 2:22 (thematic): After the resurrection the disciples remember Jesus' words and believe; thematically connects to Mark 9:10 by showing that what they failed to understand before was only grasped in light of the resurrection.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they kept that saying to themselves, questioning among themselves what 'rising from the dead' meant.
- They kept the matter to themselves, questioning among themselves what rising from the dead meant.
Mark.9.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- επηρωτων: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- λεγοντες·Οτι: PART,prs,act,nom,pl,m
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γραμματεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Ηλιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- δει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ελθειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- πρωτον: ADV
Parallels
- Malachi 4:5-6 (3:23-24 LXX) (allusion): The scribal expectation that Elijah must come first stems from Malachi’s prophecy that Elijah will return before the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
- Matthew 17:10-13 (verbal): A near‑verbatim synoptic parallel: the disciples ask the same question about Elijah and Jesus explains that Elijah has come (interpreting John the Baptist).
- Luke 1:17 (allusion): The angel’s declaration that John the Baptist will go ‘in the spirit and power of Elijah’ provides the theological basis for the belief that Elijah must precede the Messiah.
- Matthew 11:14 (thematic): Jesus’ statement that John the Baptist is ‘the Elijah who was to come’ directly addresses the expectation reflected in the scribes’ question.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they asked him, 'Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?'
- And they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
Mark.9.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εφη: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτοις·Ηλιας: PRON,dat,pl,m; NOUN,nom,sg,m
- μεν: PART
- ελθων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- πρωτον: ADV
- αποκαθιστανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- πως: ADV
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- πολλα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- παθη: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εξουδενηθη: VERB,aor,pas,subj,3,sg
Parallels
- Malachi 4:5-6 (allusion): Prophecy that Elijah will come before the great/day of the LORD to turn hearts — background for Jesus’ remark that Elijah comes first to restore all things.
- Matthew 17:10-13 (structural): Synoptic parallel to Mark 9:11-13 where Jesus explains that ‘Elijah’ has come (interpreted as John the Baptist) and links to the restoration motif.
- Mark 8:31 (verbal): Earlier prediction in Mark that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, and be killed—same language echoed in 9:12 about the Son of Man suffering many things and being despised.
- Isaiah 53:3-4 (thematic): Suffering-servant imagery (rejected, afflicted, bearing suffering) provides the OT template behind the claim that the Son of Man must suffer and be despised.
- Luke 1:17 (allusion): Zechariah’s prophecy that the coming forerunner will go ‘in the spirit and power of Elijah’ and turn hearts—used in NT to identify John the Baptist with Elijah’s role.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to them, 'Elijah indeed comes first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.'
- He said to them, "Elijah indeed comes first and restores all things. And how it is written of the Son of Man that he must suffer many things and be rejected."
Mark.9.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οτι: CONJ
- και: CONJ
- Ηλιας: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εληλυθεν: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- εποιησαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- οσα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- ηθελον: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- καθως: CONJ
- γεγραπται: VERB,perf,pass,ind,3,sg
- επ᾽αυτον: PREP+PRON,acc,sg,3,m
Parallels
- Matthew 17:12-13 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: Jesus says Elijah comes and will be mistreated; Matthew explicitly identifies that Elijah is fulfilled in John the Baptist.
- Malachi 4:5 (3:23 MT) (allusion): OT prophecy that Elijah will come before the day of the Lord; Mark's statement treats that prophecy as fulfilled in the coming of Elijah/John.
- Matthew 11:14 (thematic): Jesus declares that John the Baptist is the Elijah who was to come, directly connecting Mark's claim about Elijah with John.
- Luke 1:17 (allusion): Angelic announcement that John will come 'in the spirit and power of Elijah,' linking John the Baptist with the expected Elijah figure cited by Jesus.
- Mark 6:14-29 (thematic): Narrative of John the Baptist's arrest and execution—'they did to him whatever they pleased' echoes Jesus' remark about how Elijah (understood as John) was treated.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they understood that he had spoken to them of John the Baptist.
- But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.
And after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him, and led them up into a high mountain apart by themselves; and he was transfigured before them. And his garments became dazzling white—whiter than any launderer on earth could make them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were speaking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.'
For he did not know what to say, for they were filled with great fear. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud: 'This is my beloved Son; listen to him.' And suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus alone. And as they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. And they kept the matter to themselves, questioning among themselves what 'rising from the dead' meant. And they asked him, 'Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?' And he said to them, 'Elijah does indeed come first and restores all things; and it is written of the Son of Man that he must suffer many things and be rejected.' But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they wished, just as it is written of him.'