17:2a

In Greek, 17:2 begins with a conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated, but many English versions translate it as “And.” This conjunction joins the next event to the previous one. New Testament Greek uses this joining conjunction far more often than modern English does. So in Greek, many verses in chapter 17 begin with this same conjunction. Since it is not always natural in English, many English versions do not translate it.

(The Translator’s Notes will not always comment on this conjunction. If you see the conjunction “And” at the beginning of a verse, you should decide whether it is natural in your language to use a conjunction there.)

For 17:2a, some English versions, including the Berean Standard Bible, begin this verse with a location word. For instance:

There, he was transfigured (New International Version)

He was transfigured: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as transfigured means “changed his appearance.” The way that Jesus changed is explained in 17:2b–c.

This clause is passive. Here are some other ways to translate it:

• Use a passive verb. For example:

Jesus’ appearance was changed (New Century Version)

• Use an active verb. For example:

Jesus’ appearance changed (God’s Word)
-or-
Jesus changed the way he looked to them

Many cultures have terms to describe a major change in appearance. Often these changes have supernatural causes and purposes. If you consider using one of these terms, be sure that it does not communicate a wrong meaning. Jesus did not begin to look like someone else, and he did not become a different being. Also, his appearance did not change in any bad way.

before them: This phrase emphasizes the fact that Peter, James and John actually saw Jesus change.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

before their eyes (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)
-or-
While they watched

17:2b

His face shone like the sun: This is a figure of speech called a simile. It describes how Jesus changed. In this simile, Matthew compared Jesus’ face to the sun. The way that they are similar is that both shine/shone brightly.

The Greek verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as shone indicates something that produces light, like a lamp. It is not something that just reflects light.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

his face shone like the shining/brightness of the sun
-or-
his face became bright like the sun (New Century Version)

17:2c

His clothes became as white as the light: This is another simile that describes how Jesus changed. In this simile, Matthew compared Jesus’ changed clothes to light. The way they are similar is that both are white or bright.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

• Keep the simile. For example:

his clothes became as white as light (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
his clothes became/turned very bright like the light

• Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

his clothing became dazzling white (New Living Translation (1996))

-or-

his clothes became very white

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