Mar 9:2-9 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Mark 9:2-8: 9:2-8 This account is tied to 8:27–9:1 both chronologically ( six days later ) and thematically (9:7 ). • The presence of Peter, James, and John (see also 5:37 ; 13:3 ; 14:33 ) might be the fulfillment of 9:1 (“some standing here”). Some interpreters believe that the pre-incarnate glory of the Son of God broke through the veil of his humanity (John 1:14 ; 17:5 ) at the transfiguration. It is more likely that this event was an advance glimpse of the Son of Man’s future glory (see Matt 16:28 ; 2 Pet 1:16-18 ; cp. Exod 34:28-35 ; 2 Cor 3:7-18 ).

Summary for Mark 9:2-8: 9:2-8 ^a This account is tied to 8:27–9:1 ^b both chronologically (six days later) and thematically (9:7 ^c).

• The presence of Peter, James, and John (see also 5:37 ^d; 13:3 ^e; 14:33 ^f) might be the fulfillment of 9:1 ^g (“some standing here”). Some interpreters believe that the pre-incarnate glory of the Son of God broke through the veil of his humanity (John 1:14 ^h; 17:5 ⁱ) at the transfiguration. It is more likely that this event was an advance glimpse of the Son of Man’s future glory (see Matt 16:28 ^j; 2 Pet 1:16-18 ^k; cp. Exod 34:28-35 ^l; 2 Cor 3:7-18 ^m).
9:4 ⁿ The appearance of Elijah and Moses might indicate the fulfillment of the law and the prophets in Jesus (see Matt 5:17 ^o; cp. Mal 4:4-5 ^p).
Summary for Mark 9:5-6: 9:5-6 ^q The suggestion to build three shelters as memorials (see Lev 23:33-43 ^r; Num 29:12-34 ^s) places Moses, Elijah, and Jesus on the same footing. The suggestion ignores Peter’s own earlier confession (Mark 8:29 ^t) and the fact that only Jesus had been transfigured (9:2-3 ^u).
9:7 ^v a cloud: Cp. Exod 40:34-35 ^w.

• The voice from the cloud issued a stern rebuke of Peter’s suggestion: This is my dearly loved Son—not an equal of Moses and Elijah. God’s voice also confirmed Peter’s earlier confession (Mark 8:29 ^x), and it indirectly rebuked Peter for rejecting Jesus’ prediction of his suffering (8:32 ^y) by telling him and the other disciples to listen to him.
9:8 ^z Only Jesus remained, not Moses or Elijah. Jesus was clearly superior to Elijah and Moses.
9:9 ^aa Secrecy would no longer be necessary after the Son of Man had risen from the dead, because Jesus the Messiah would then be clearly understood as apolitical and non-militaristic, so he could be proclaimed openly to all (see Acts 2:36 ^ab; 3:6 ^ac).