Mark 9:2
And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μεθ''
after
G3326
μεθ''
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
2 of 28
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἡμέρας
days
G2250
ἡμέρας
days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
3 of 28
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
παραλαμβάνει
taketh
G3880
παραλαμβάνει
taketh
Strong's:
G3880
Word #:
5 of 28
to receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 28
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρον
with him Peter
G4074
Πέτρον
with him Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
9 of 28
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 28
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 28
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
κατ'
apart
G2596
κατ'
apart
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
22 of 28
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
ἰδίαν
G2398
ἰδίαν
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
23 of 28
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
μόνους
by themselves
G3441
μόνους
by themselves
Strong's:
G3441
Word #:
24 of 28
remaining, i.e., sole or single; by implication, mere
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετεμορφώθη
he was transfigured
G3339
μετεμορφώθη
he was transfigured
Strong's:
G3339
Word #:
26 of 28
to transform (literally or figuratively, "metamorphose")
Cross References
Isaiah 33:17Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.Mark 5:37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.Mark 14:33And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;Revelation 20:11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.Exodus 24:13And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God.
Historical Context
The 'six days' interval may parallel Moses' experience on Mount Sinai, where God's glory appeared after six days (Exodus 24:16), suggesting Jesus is the new Moses giving new covenant revelation. Mount Hermon (9,200 feet) near Caesarea Philippi was likely the site, though tradition favors Mount Tabor. The transfiguration occurred during Jesus' journey toward Jerusalem and crucifixion—a heavenly confirmation before earthly suffering. Moses and Elijah's appearance (v. 4) represented the Law and the Prophets, both pointing to Christ. Luke records they discussed Jesus' 'exodus' (death) in Jerusalem (Luke 9:31), revealing that redemptive suffering was God's eternal plan, not an unfortunate deviation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the transfiguration demonstrate that Jesus' divine glory was always present but normally veiled during His earthly ministry?
- What does God's timing in revealing Christ's glory (before the crucifixion) teach about His provision of spiritual strength before seasons of testing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Transfiguration occurred 'after six days' (μετὰ ἡμέρας ἕξ)—precise timing connecting it to Jesus' promise in 9:1. Jesus took only Peter, James, and John, His inner circle who also witnessed Jairus' daughter raised (Mark 5:37) and Gethsemane agony (Mark 14:33). The 'high mountain' (ὄρος ὑψηλὸν) is traditionally identified as Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon. Mountains in Scripture signify divine revelation (Sinai, Horeb). Jesus 'was transfigured' (μετεμορφώθη, metemorphōthē)—the verb indicates transformation of outward appearance revealing inner reality. This is the same root as 'metamorphosis'—Jesus' divine glory, normally veiled in flesh, became visible. The transfiguration wasn't Jesus becoming something He wasn't, but revealing who He eternally is—God incarnate. This theophany strengthened disciples for the scandal of the cross and provided apostolic eyewitness testimony to Christ's majesty (2 Peter 1:16-18).