LESSON V.—SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1900
28 "And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, He took with Him Peter and John and James, and went up 29 into the mountain to pray. And as He was praying, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment 30 became white and dazzling. And behold, there talked with 31 Him two men, which were Moses and Elijah; who appeared 32 in glory, and spake of His decease which He was about to 32 accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him. 33 And it came to pass, as they were parting from Him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles; one for Thee, and one for Moses, 34 and one for Elijah; not knowing what he said. And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed 35 them; and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My Son, My 36 chosen; hear ye Him. And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen." Golden Text: "This is My beloved Son; hear Him." Luke 9: 35. (1) What length of time has intervened between the event recorded here and the occurrences of the preceding lesson? V. 28. Note 1. (2) Where did Jesus take three of the disciples? Why these three only? Note 2. (3) What great change came over the Saviour as He prayed? V. 29. (4) Who talked with Jesus? What was their appearance? What was the subject of their discourse? Vs. 30, 31. Note 3. (5) What was the physical condition of the disciples at the beginning of the interview? What did they see when they were fully awake? V. 32. (6) What remark did Peter make as the heavenly visitants were about to depart? V. 33. Note 4. (7) What overshadowed and enveloped them? How did this experience affect the disciples? V. 34. (8) What came from the cloud of glory? What words were spoken in their hearing? V. 35. Note 5. (9) When the voice ceased speaking, what change took place? How far did a knowledge of these occurrences spread at this time? V. 36. Note 6. 1. About an eight days after.—Matthew and Mark say "after six days." There is no contradiction. "After six days" is about eight days after. So "after eight days" (John 20: 26) would be about nine or ten days after. The exact time is not a vital point. 2. The mountain.—The name of the mountain is not given, but, in view of the fact that Jesus was about this time teaching in the region of Cæsarea Philippi, it is generally believed that Hermon is the mountain referred to. This mountain is about thirty-five miles north and east of the Sea of Galilee. Peter, James, and John were chosen. They were to be with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, and of the twelve were the best prepared to comprehend the nature of Christ's kingdom and the view that was soon to be given them. 3. Moses and Elijah.—"Two men," not angels. They appeared in glory,—in their glorified bodies,—samples of the glory awaiting the whole family of the redeemed. "Moses upon the mount of transfiguration was a witness to Christ's victory over sin and death. He represented those who shall come forth from the grave at the resurrection of the just. Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ's second coming, and who will be 'changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump,' when 'this mortal must put on immortality,' and 'this corruptible must put on incorruption.' Jesus was clothed with the light of heaven, as He will appear when He shall come 'the second time without sin unto salvation.' For He will come 'in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.' The Saviour's promise to the disciples [that some should see the kingdom of heaven] was now fulfilled. Upon the mount the future kingdom of glory was represented in miniature—Christ the King, Moses a representative of the risen saints, and Elijah of the translated ones."—Desire of Ages. "These men, chosen above every angel around the throne, had come to commune with Jesus concerning the scenes of His suffering, and to comfort Him with the assurance of the sympathy of heaven. The hope of the world, the salvation of every human being, was the burden of their interview."—Id. 4. Heavy with sleep.—By not overcoming the tendency to sleep, the disciples lost a portion of the conversation, and thus much that the Lord would have had them understand, especially as regards His death. But they heard and saw things marvelous to them, and received some enlightenment as to Christ's mission. 5. My beloved Son.—"My Son, My chosen," Revised Version. Three times in the history of Christ's public work there came forth this confirmatory message—at His baptism, at His transfiguration, at the cross—the divine approval all the way. What a glorious record! And the Lord would have every son live a record like unto that, to which is placed at any time the divine seal. 6. Told no man in those days.—Matthew and Mark record that Christ charged the three to tell no one until after His death and resurrection. They themselves did not as yet fully comprehend what they had seen; much less would any one else to whom they might tell it. After the resurrection, they, with others, would see far differently than at present. Then would be the time to bring forward these evidences of Christ's divine mission.