After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.

Matthew 17:1, 2

Chapter 17 opens with a scene in the heavenlies.   Six days prior to this Jesus explained in detail what was going to happen to him during the week of the upcoming Passover.  He prophesied his suffering, culminating on the cross, and his burial.  Then the promise that he will rise from the grave to give life to all who believe on Him.

With these words ringing in their ears, the disciples tarried there while Jesus called three of his disciples, Peter, James and John to climb a high mountain with him.  Jesus could have done all this alone but no one else would know what happened in that dramatic scene. By taking these men with him Jesus led them into a deeper understanding about who Jesus is and what he is about to do.  They would be eye-witnesses to the atoning activity of Jesus Christ.

Before their eyes, their Jesus changed dramatically.  His figure changed.  This was not an ordinary prayer meeting. Jesus literally shone!  They had never seen anything like this before.  Maybe before when Jesus went up into mountains to pray alone this happened to him but this is the first time any of his disciples saw him in that transformed state – his face glowing with light like the brilliance of the sun itself, not only his face and countenance but even his spun robe was transformed into a carrier of marvelous light and stunning beauty.

The three must have asked, “What is happening to our Jesus?”  Or they may have asked a more penetrating question, “Who is Jesus?”