Jesus leads Peter, James, and John up the heights of Mount Tabor, and what unfolds is nothing short of breathtaking—his face blazing like the sun, a cloud of glory descending, and the sudden appearance of Moses and Elijah. In this episode, we peel back the layers of the Transfiguration, tracing its thick roots in Old Testament history and exploring the stunning parallels with Mount Sinai. We’ll unpack why Peter offers to build tents, how the story subtly hints at the hope of resurrection, and discover the hidden connections between this mountaintop moment and Christ’s coming crucifixion. Dive in for a Gospel scene that’s richer, deeper, and more electrifying than you ever imagined.
Diving deep into our Gospel we'll spend our episode looking closer at:
How Mount Tabor's location and the unforgettable journey to its summit help unlock the experience of the Transfiguration (01:04)
The subtle "after six days" cue Matthew uses to link the Transfiguration with Peter’s powerful declaration at Caesarea Philippi and the origins of papal authority (08:30)
The striking parallels between Jesus' Transfiguration on Mount Tabor and Moses' ascent of Mount Sinai with Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu—right down to the bright cloud and the glowing faces (15:21)
How Moses and Elijah’s presence with Jesus signals both the fulfillment of Law and Prophets and a hidden nod to the hope of resurrection according to ancient Jewish tradition and extra-biblical texts (27:35)
The deliberate link between the Transfiguration and the crucifixion, showing how Jesus reveals his true identity in both glory and in humility (35:34)
The connections between Peter’s proposal to build three tents and the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, including the surprising significance of the Greek word "skēnē" and how feasts shaped Israelite identity (40:04)For the full show notes including references and small group discussion questions, visit: kptz.io/2L-A