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Epiphany · The Transfiguration of Our Lord (Last Sunday after the Epiphany) · Year B

Mark 9:2-9

The Transfiguration

Transfiguration of Christ, Giovanni Bellini
Transfiguration of Christ, Giovanni Bellini, c. 1480Museo di Capodimonte, Naples
Bellini sets it in the Veneto: a low hill, a fence, farm buildings and a rabbit, with the three disciples sitting on the ground rather than flattened.It is the reading, painted as something that happened on a walkable hill.Giovanni BelliniThe painter who taught Venice to use oil paint and light, and the teacher of both Giorgione and Titian.Museo di Capodimonte, NaplesA Bourbon palace above Naples, holding the Farnese collection and the greatest Neapolitan paintings.Museo di Capodimonte, Naples

Overview & Insights

“This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” (Mark 9:7)

This event is intimately connected with what has preceded. Most of the Jewish people have only rumors, no realization of the identity of Jesus (8:28), while the disciples slowly begin to glimpse the reality, confessing Jesus as Messiah (8:29–30). Yet when Jesus clarifies that his messianic office involves him as the Suffering Servant, they vociferously object (8:31–33), leading Jesus to clarify the true meaning of discipleship as suffering and sacrifice (8:34–38). Now God reveals the final stage of this key christological section: Jesus is actually the glorious Lord, the final Moses in whom God’s Shekinah (the presence of God “dwelling” [Heb. shakan] among his people; see comments on 9:7 below) glory is revealed. Structure The story is framed by the ascent and descent of the mountain (vv. 2, 9) and by Jesus’s discussion with Moses and Elijah (v. 4) and then the voice of God (v. 7).

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What is revealed at the Transfiguration?

On the mountain Jesus is transfigured in dazzling glory with Moses and Elijah, and the Father's voice names him the beloved Son, sealing the season of Epiphany.

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