Section 17:1–13
Three disciples saw Jesus’ glory
In this section, Jesus changed his appearance. He made his face and his clothes shine very brightly. He did this in front of Peter, James and John. At the same time, the disciples saw Moses and Elijah. Then they heard the voice of God. When the disciples saw and heard all this, they understood that Jesus was not an ordinary teacher. They better understood that he really was the Messiah.
This section immediately follow 16:28 which says, “Truly, I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” This section begins to fulfill that verse.
Here are some other possible headings for this section:
The disciples saw Jesus’ appearance change
-or-
Jesus’ glory was revealed on the mountain
There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 9:2–12 and Luke 9:28–36.
Paragraph 17:1–4
17:1a
After six days: The events in this section occurred six days after the events at the end of chapter 16.
Here are some other ways to begin this section:
Six days later (Good News Translation)
-or-
Six days after that
-or-
After six days passed
Jesus took with Him: This clause implies that Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to go with him. They went willingly with Jesus.
In some languages, it may be more natural to use a different verb here. For example:
Jesus asked/told…to go with him
-or-
Jesus invited/called…to go along with him
The verb took is closely connected to the verb “led” in 17:1b. In some languages it may be natural to use only one verb here. For example:
Jesus led Peter, James, and John up…
Peter, James, and John the brother of James: The phrase John the brother means that John was the brother of James. He was not the brother of Jesus.
In the New Testament, when James and John are mentioned, James is always listed first. This probably indicates that James was the older brother. If your languages make a distinction between older and younger brother, you can say:
James and John his ⌊younger⌋ brother
17:1b
and led them up: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as led…up indicates that Jesus went/climbed up the mountain while the disciples followed behind him.
In some languages, it may be more natural to say:
and they followed him up
-or-
and they climbed up
a high mountain: The Greek text does not indicate whether the men went to the very top/peak of the mountain. They went up high enough to get away from other people. Perhaps they went to the very top. Perhaps they went to a private place on the side of the mountain.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
on a high mountain (New Century Version)
-or-
onto a high mountain
by themselves: This phrase indicates that only Jesus, Peter, James and John were on the mountain. There were no other people in that area.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
where they were alone (Good News Translation)
-or-
away from other people
-or-
Only Jesus and his disciples were there.
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