The Transfiguration

Watch the video. • Tell your partner what happened,

in detail.• Check the story in your gospel

Ch.9:2-8. What did the film “make up” that is not in the gospel?

Describe the Story: Key phrases.• Jesus + Peter, James, John• High mountain• Transfigured: clothes/ dazzling white• Moses, Elijah • Peter, afraid, spoke “…• Cloud overshadowed• God spoke “..• Saw no-one, only Jesus

1. Describe the story, using the key phrases. Check Mk 9:2-8 & add in what Peter and God actually said.

2. Explain the symbolism of the story : write on the sheet.

3. Why is it important that Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus? What message is it giving?

**What does God speaking help the disciples to understand? Jesus to understand? Symbolism of the Story

1. ? = Jesus’ sinlessness, divinity, status as divine Son of God

2. ? = Represents God’s mysterious presence3. ? = Reminder of the shelters Jews stayed in when

they left Egypt & when God was close to them (celebrated in Sukkoth). Peter feels this close presence of God here, and wants this moment to last, & the prophets to stay.

4. ? = The prophet of the Law, representing the Jewish Law being in agreement with Jesus

5. ? = The prophet of all prophets, symbolising that the prophets are in agreement with Jesus, and he is the fulfilment of their prophesies

Peter: Teacher how good it is that we are here! We will make 3 tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”God: “This is my own dear Son, listen to Him!”

Importance of the Transfiguration

• For Jesus • For Jews

Draw 3 columns. 1. Sort out the labels under the correct column. (some may fit 2 columns)**If this event did not really happen, why might Mark have wanted to include it anyway?

• For all disciples & Christians

Reassurance that going to Jerusalem, to face his passion, is the right thing to do (God approves).

Reassurance that Jesus is the fulfilment of the OT, not against it.

Reassurance that Jesus is the divine Son of God (even if he does get crucified as a criminal later).

Reassurance that they should follow Jesus & listen to him - God says so

Shows that Jesus is more than even the greatest of the prophets

Label the picture: add speech, notes

Cloud overshadowed =

God said “..

Moses =

Elijah =

3 disciples:

Peter, afraid, said “..

Jesus was..

His clothes became..

On top of a high mountain…

It was very important for Mark’s readers (Jews & Christians in Rome) – to understand that

– Jesus IS the Son of God, more than human, more than other prophets. He is in divine glory.

– Jesus is the fulfilment of the OT: Jews are not being asked to give up on the God of the OT to follow Jesus.

Would Mark have made up this events, in order to make these two points so forcefully ??