For the Jews of Jesus’ day, Moses symbolized the Law and Elijah symbolized the prophets—two of the most honored men in Jewish tradition.
The Gospels record an amazing incident involving Jesus and these two long-dead men. Jesus took three of His disciples to a high mountain, and “He was transfigured before them.
His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow . . . Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus . . . And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice cam out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” (Mark 9:2–7).
“Transfiguration” refers to the dramatic change in Jesus’ appearance. The meaning of the event was God’s approval of His Son. The presence of Moses and Elijah indicates that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jewish tradition.
