From Sinai to the Son: The Transfiguration, the Day of the LORD, and the Gospel (Matthew 17:1–13)

Описание: In Matthew 17:1–13, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up a mountain and reveals His glory in what we call the Transfiguration. His face shines like the sun, a cloud of glory descends, Moses and Elijah appear, and the voice of the Father speaks from heaven.

But this moment is about far more than a dazzling display of power.

This passage is saturated with Old Testament meaning—Sinai, the Exodus, the Law and the Prophets, the glory cloud, and the promise of Elijah before the Day of the LORD. The disciples understood these connections, which is why Peter instinctively suggested building tabernacles and why they later asked about Elijah’s coming.

Their confusion wasn’t about who Jesus was—they already confessed Him as the Messiah.
Their confusion was about timing.

Why glory… but also suffering?
Why Elijah… but no kingdom yet?
Why talk of resurrection before restoration?

Jesus answers their questions by revealing a crucial truth of redemptive history:

Before the world can be restored, hearts must be restored.

Elijah’s mission was never first about judgment—it was about turning hearts back to God. That work required repentance, new hearts, and ultimately the cross. The kingdom could not come in power until sin was dealt with through Christ’s death and resurrection.

The Transfiguration shows us:
• Who Jesus truly is
• Why He had to suffer
• And why the gospel must go forward before the final Day of the LORD

This study connects the Transfiguration to:
• The Exodus and Sinai
• Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah
• Ezekiel’s promise of new hearts
• And the gospel message that Christ died, rose again, and is patiently saving sinners before He returns in glory

Join us as we walk verse by verse through Matthew 17 and see how this mountaintop moment points us directly to the cross—and to the hope of salvation for all who believe.