how do modern christians explain the transfiguration?

Question

the beginning of Mark chapter 9 is odd in that it simply ends the previous scene at the end of chapter 8. There weren’t any chapter or verse divisions in the ancient manuscripts, but why did the person(s) who inserted the divisions not do a better job in this case? At the same time, this ending also has a lot to do with events in the current scene.

Meaning of Jesus’ Transfiguration

Jesus shows something special to the apostles, but not all of them — just Peter, James, and John. Why were they singled out for special, insider information that they couldn’t even reveal to the other nine apostles until after Jesus had risen from the dead? This story would have given a boost in prestige to whomever was associated with those three in the early Christian church.

if only 3 witnessed it, why then did Mark write about it as well?

why didn't the other two say more about it after "the big secret" was over?

Answer 1

The Transfiguration is ignored in many respects. Remember, Elias appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration, and Jesus mentioned in his preachings that John the Baptist was the Elias that was for to come.

So JOHN GOT HIS HEAD BACK. and this is also a SECOND resurrection. John did it first!!!

Don't know if I got the quotes all correct, but the details can be found in here...

Answer 2

In the narrative, after the cloud dissipates, Elijah and Moses disappear, and Jesus and the three Apostles head down the mountain, Jesus telling his Apostles to keep the event a secret until the "Son of Man" had risen from the dead. The Apostles are described as questioning among themselves as to what Jesus meant by "risen from the dead" (Mark 9:9-10) The Apostles are also described as questioning Jesus about Elijah, and he as responding "...Elijah comes first, and restores all things ... but ... Elijah has come indeed ..." (Mark 9:12-13). It was commonly believed that Elijah would reappear before the coming of the Messiah, as predicted in the Book of Malachi (Malachi 4), and the three Apostles are described as interpreting Jesus' statement as a reference to John the Baptist.

Symbolic readings take Moses and Elijah to represent the Law and the Prophets respectively, and their recognition of and conversation with Jesus symbolize how Jesus fulfils "the law and the prophets" (Matthew 5:17-19, see also Expounding of the Law).

In general, the events in Jesus's life that are said to have taken place in secret, such as the transfiguration, are given less weight by scholars of the historical Jesus than public events.

In the apocryphal Gospel of the Hebrews, Jesus tells how his mother lifted him up by the hair and lifted him to Mount Tabor, which led Origen to identify the Holy Spirit as the Mother of Jesus.

Gospel of the Hebrews -- here the Savior says: Even so did my mother, the Holy Spirit, take me by one of my hairs and carry me away on to the great mountain Tabor.

Answer 3

Jesus had 12 apostles, one that He knew would betray him. So, He really only had 11 "real" apostles. Of these, He was closer to some then others...just like you are with your friends and associates. As you should know, when Jesus went to pray, these three kept going to sleep on Him instead of watching His back while He prayed. They wake up the third time to find that their Lord is being arrested...Peter gets upset and cuts off a soldier's ear...Jesus heals that same ear on the spot. There was alot going on and worrying about the division of The Bible isn't as significant as what is actually written.

Answer 4

The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me." "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." On the mountain of the Transfiguration, the Father commands: "Listen to him!" Jesus is the model for the Beatitudes and the norm of the new law: "Love one another as I have loved you." This love implies an effective offering of oneself, after his example
Christ's Transfiguration aims at strengthening the apostles' faith in anticipation of his Passion: the ascent on to the "high mountain" prepares for the ascent to Calvary. Christ, Head of the Church, manifests what his Body contains and radiates in the sacraments: "the hope of glory"
From the day Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Master "began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things. . . and be killed, and on the third day be raised." Peter scorns this prediction, nor do the others understand it any better than he. In this context the mysterious episode of Jesus' Transfiguration takes place on a high mountain, before three witnesses chosen by himself: Peter, James and John. Jesus' face and clothes become dazzling with light, and Moses and Elijah appear, speaking "of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem

Answer 5

play some warcraft 3 and click the skill called AVATAR.