How was Christ unveiled in Mark 9:1-8? In this episode, J. Mark explores the transfiguration—where Jesus’ glory is revealed to the apostles. For a moment, the curtain is pulled back, giving a glimpse of heaven and revealing Christ as He truly is. This powerful encounter left a lasting mark on the disciples and speaks to us today. Join us as we examine three details that deepen our understanding of this pivotal event.
Transcript
It’s good to be with you again as we study the Bible. We are continuing our journey through Mark, story by story. It is incredible to me how much there is when we take the time to dig into each passage. This is a testament to the incredible life and power in the Bible.
Today, we are taking a closer look at Jesus’ transfiguration. As J. Mark reads this passage, enter in and imagine being there and seeing the very things the disciples are seeing. Imagine white clothes that are so white you can’t describe them. Mark seems to be struggling to find words strong enough to describe the whiteness. Then a voice comes from heaven. How was that voice? Did it shake everything? Was it clear, calm, and authoritative? The transfiguration shows us a piece of heaven. God help us see, hear, and allow that reality to shape us.
Turn to Mark 9 and enter into this amazing story as J Mark shares with us.
Imagine with me a room containing a large portrait, covered in black cloth, standing at the front. A crowd of dignitaries, their eyes fixed on the platform, awaits the moment. After a brief speech by the master of ceremonies, the cloth is pulled away from the portrait, revealing the painting to the public for the first time.
The subject of the portrait, usually a politician or some other famous person, then addresses the attendees, adding a personal touch to the unveiling. This personal touch, this connection, is what we will experience as we delve into the unveiling of Christ.
Unveilings are more than just a modern tradition. They have a deep-rooted significance in the Scriptures. God unveiled His glory to Moses on Mount Sinai and to Elijah on Mount Horeb. Jacob experienced an “unveiling” when he discovered that the wife he thought was Rachel was, in fact, Rachel’s sister, Leah. However, the most dramatic biblical unveiling was the rending of the Temple veil at Jesus’ death, a moment that changed the course of history.
Our text for today, Mark 9:1-8, records a scene I’ve titled “The Unveiled Christ.” In this moment, the curtain of mystery was briefly drawn aside, revealing Christ in all His glory. This transformative unveiling left a permanent mark on the disciples and continues to inspire us now.
You must follow along as I read the Holy Scripture, Mark 9:1-8.
1And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
2 Now after six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.
3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—
6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
This text reveals several DETAILS related to the unveiling of Christ. Observe them with me; each detail contributes to our understanding of this pivotal event.
The First DETAIL is,
His Announcement
In the final verses of Mark 8, we read: “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
First, notice that Jesus speaks to the people with His disciples. This is not just the Twelve. The wording of verse 38 clarifies that Jesus is talking about His Second Coming. When He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels, it will be to establish His eternal rule over all the kingdoms of this world.
In verse one of our text, He introduces a different idea. “And He said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God [having come] with power.” The event Jesus speaks about in verse one must differ from the event in 8:38. He is informing the people about one of two things: the Transfiguration (just a few days later) or Pentecost (about eight months later) – perhaps both.
We must also consider the larger context. Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ in 8:29 is like the hinge of Mark’s Gospel. Everything before the confession leads up to it; everything after it flows from it. Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah was accurate, but his knowledge of what that meant was not. As we’ll see in future episodes, Jesus repeatedly tries to break through the Jewish people’s stereotypical understanding of the Messiah.
So, the announcement of verse one sets the stage for the next detail.
The Next DETAIL is,
His Appearance
After six days, Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to accompany Him “into a high mountain apart by themselves.” Luke adds that Jesus went there to pray. In that remote setting, Jesus was transfigured before the three disciples.
Jesus’ clothing became radiant and intensely white like lightning, more than any launderer could bleach it. This was the Shekinah glory, a visible manifestation of God in the natural world. Here, the deity of Jesus briefly broke through the limitations of His humanity.
In this cloud of glory, Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with Jesus. They talked about Jesus’ coming exodus, which would be accomplished in Jerusalem. Jesus’ death would achieve in its fullness what Moses only achieved in type when he led the people out of Egypt. Jesus would bring deliverance from spiritual bondage.
After observing the three men talking together, Peter said, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here, and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Why would you build booths here? The Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was soon to be celebrated with the people of Israel living in temporary huts. Is this what Peter was talking about?
God commanded this feast in Leviticus 23 to remind the Israelites of their wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt, during which God provided them with daily manna. He prevented their clothes from wearing out, and He dwelt in the Tabernacle among His people. The pillar of cloud by day and fire by night assured the people of His presence.
Peter was looking back; Jesus was looking ahead. Jesus was about to fulfill the Feast of Tabernacles. In contrast to the manna, Jesus is the Living Bread, which came down from Heaven.
Further, He was about to give all believers a robe of righteousness that would never wear out. The robe provided by His sacrifice would allow every believer to enter the presence of God at any time. It would enable God to live within us by His Holy Spirit.
Peter, John, and James were given a glimpse of the glory promised to those who would lay down their lives to follow Christ. Their vision was only for a few moments and only for them. However, today, every child of God can experience that glory. In 2 Corinthians 3:16-18, Paul tells how you and I are being transformed into the image of Christ as we behold God’s glory! The more we gaze on Him, the greater our transformation into His likeness.
Have you seen Jesus in His glory? Is that possible? Yes, we see Him in nature. The Psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” Further, we read the Scriptures and ponder the miracles and the teachings of Jesus. The appearance of the unveiled Christ will transform you from the inside out.
The Final DETAIL is,
His Affirmation
Amid all this excitement, the Shekinah glory cloud overshadows them. And out of this bright cloud, a voice speaks, “This is My Son, the Beloved; hear Him!” What affirmation and confirmation. Affirmation = This is my Son! Confirmation = the Beloved One; listen to Him! It’s like God was telling Peter, “Be quiet and listen!” How often have you and I spoken when we should’ve been quiet?
Then, suddenly, as the men looked around, they no longer saw anyone, only Jesus with them. Would you have liked to have been there on the mountain? I would! And yet, we have the testimony of one present at that event that there is a greater witness to the unveiled Christ. Here is what Peter wrote.
“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. (our text)
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as the Holy Spirit moved them.”
Has Christ been unveiled to you? Do you know Him personally? The Incarnation unveiled Christ and His kingdom. His kingdom is here, but not in its fullness. That awaits the future.
Have you seen the appearance of His glory – in nature, in the face of another human being, in the Holy Scripture? Have you been thrilled at the realization that He lives within you in the person of His Holy Spirit?
Are you listening to the command of the Father, “This is My Son, the Beloved, hear Him.” As you and I grow in our love for and obedience to our Heavenly Father, we will receive a clearer picture of the unveiled Christ! I pray that it is your heart’s desire and mine!
Thanks, J. Mark, for giving us a clearer picture of Christ. You have given us good things to think about and meditate on. I want to see the unveiled Christ; may all of us see Him, gaze on His glory, and be changed. And some day, some day we will experience His glory with Him in person. I can’t wait for this and look forward to it. Brothers and sisters, till then, be faithful.
If you have any questions or want to contact us, please do. You can contact us by email or online. Our email address is hope@heraldsofhope.org, and our website is heraldsofhope.org. Go to the partner tab on the top right. Under this tab is the “contact us”. From there, you can message us directly. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
This brings us to the end of today’s program. Earlier J Mark referred to verses in II Corinthians three, and I’d like to close with that verse, “But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” When we view the unveiled Christ, we become like Him.
