This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday in Lent. In yesterday’s post Brian Stoffregen was offering some possibilities about the purpose(s) of mountain-top theophany. Today, we continue with his thoughtful list.

1. connects Jesus with “mountaintop experiences” at points of discouragement. Ched Myers (Binding the Strong Man) in commenting about the appearance of Moses and Elijah suggests that the two great prophets represent those who, like the disciples at this moment, beheld Yahweh’s epiphany on a mountain at crucial periods of discouragement in their mission having heard the Jesus will suffer and die. In the story of Elijah, the great prophet has for his trouble become a man hunted by the authorities. He tries to flee, but is met by Yahweh who dispatches him back into the struggle (1 Kgs 19:11ff.). And in the case of Moses, he is Yahweh’s envoy whose message has been once rejected by the people, and who must thus ascend the mountain a second time (Ex 33:18ff.). Both stories are clearly instructive at this point in Mark’s narrative.
2. Jesus: a divine being. The dazzling white clothes indicate a heavenly, rather than an earthly being (Dan 7:9; 12:3; Mk 16:5; Mt 28:3).
3. the coming martyrdom of Jesus. Myers (Binding the Strong Man) indicates that garments came to symbolize the clothing of martyrs (as in the Book of Revelation, 3:5, 18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9, 13)…. We must conclude that in the transfiguration, following as it does directly upon the first portent and teaching of the cross, Jesus’ new garment is symbolic of the martyr’s white robes” [p. 350].
4. another indication of disciples’ blindness. The disciples, once again, are unable to fully understand what’s going on. Peter says, “It is good that we are here.” Why is it good that they are here? Why is it good that people are at worship? Do they come to only see Jesus in all his glory and to try and capture that event with booths? Peter says, “Let us make three tents.” What are the skene (tents, booths) that he plans to have them build? The word can mean a “tent” or “temporary shelter.” It can mean “tabernacle” as a worship place (the dwelling place of God in the OT). It can mean a “house” — a permanent dwelling place. Why would these three need houses? Perhaps he wants to “house” the event so that it will last forever. Mark includes this critique of Peter: “He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.” (9:6).
5. the disciples hear God’s declaration about Jesus. At his baptism, only Jesus hears the words of the voice that declares Jesus to be “My son”. Now the three disciples also hear the heavenly voice attest to this relationship. However, this knowledge didn’t help them much in the garden. They fall asleep instead of praying (14:37-41). They run away, rather than follow (14:50). Hearing the witness from God didn’t produce a lasting or deep faith that would see them through difficult times.
6. a new commandment from God. The voice gives the command: “Listen to him,” “Listen” (akouete) is a present imperative, implying continuing action: “Keep on listening to him” or “Continue to listen to him.” God gave Ten Commands in the OT. In the NT, we have this one command. This command also recalls a word from Moses, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me…. You must listen to him” (Deut 18:15).

Image credit: Detail of “The Transfiguration of Jesus” by Raphael (1516-1520) | Vatican Museum | PD-US