In Matthew's account, the Transfiguration is described as a vision seen by the disciples (Matthew 17:9)

when they were on a mountain with Jesus, and we may best understand it in that way.

We can also understand the significance of what took place if we see it against the undoubted confusion that must have been in the minds of the disciples since Peter's declaration about Jesus, Jesus' first prophecy of his suffering, death and Resurrection and the austere words about discipleship. The account of the Transfiguration emphasizes the effect of what they saw on the disciples who were with Jesus at the time, Peter, James and John. We may take this story to be another recollection which came from Peter.

What the Transfiguration of Jesus revealed to the disciples (who were greatly afraid) was (i) that Peter's declaration that Jesus was the Messiah was true, and (ii) that what Jesus had said about his suffering, death and rising from death was according to the will of God because of the words of divine approval which were spoken (9:7). The disciples themselves were being allowed this unique revelation of Jesus' true glory for a purpose, connected with their future task. In the vision, Jesus was seen with Moses and Elijah, the representatives of the Law and the prophets, to be understood as preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. According to Luke's account, Moses and Elijah spoke with Jesus about how he would fulfill God's will through his death in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). The cloud (9:7) signified the presence of God (Exodus 13:21 and 19: 16).

In 9:9 Jesus tells the disciples not to tell others what they had seen 'until the Son of Man has risen from death'. They obeyed him although they still did not understand (9: 10) but it was not possible that they should understand because nothing in their experience could prepare them for the Resurrection of Jesus. They had to continue trying to follow Jesus until their eyes would be fully opened by the Risen Christ. We can see that spiritual understanding was slowly being gained by the leading disciples because they were now beginning to struggle with the idea of the suffering Messiah instead of rejecting it, although still not understanding it. Later, at the last supper, Peter would say heroically to Jesus that he was prepared to die with him (14:31) although the faith of all the disciples proved too weak when they were confronted with the terrible reality of what actually happened.

They asked Jesus a question about the return of Elijah, promised in Malachi 4:5 and Jesus replied that Elijah had come, referring to John the Baptist. John the Baptist was therefore a sign to the disciples that the Kingdom of God had come in Jesus.

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