The transfiguration of Jesus

Matthew 17:1-13 (NIV)

The Transfiguration

¹After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. ³Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.

⁴Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah."

⁵While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!"

⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. ⁷But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don't be afraid." ⁸When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

⁹As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

¹⁰The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"

¹¹Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. ¹²But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." ¹³Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.

17:1 六天後，耶穌帶著彼得以及雅各和約翰兩兄弟悄悄地上了一座高山。17:2 在他們面前，耶穌的形像變了：他的面貌像太陽一樣明亮，衣服也像光一樣潔白。17:3 忽然，三個門徒看見摩西和以利亞在跟耶穌講話。17:4 彼得對耶穌說：「主啊，我們在這裏真好！你若願意，我就在這裏搭三座帳棚，一座給你，一座給摩西，一座給以利亞。」17:5 彼得正說這話的時候，一朵燦爛的雲彩籠罩了他們；有聲音從雲中出來，說：「這是我親愛的兒子，我喜愛他。你們要聽從他！」17:6 門徒聽見這聲音，非常害怕，都俯伏在地上。17:7 耶穌走過來，拍他們，說：「起來，不要怕！」17:8 他們抬頭一看，只見耶穌，其他的人都不見了。17:9 他們下山的時候，耶穌吩咐他們：「在人子沒有從死裏復活以前，千萬不要把所看見的異象告訴人。」17:10 於是門徒問耶穌：「為甚麼經學教師說以利亞必須先來呢？」17:11 耶穌回答：「以利亞是要先來準備一切。17:12 可是我告訴你們，以利亞已經來過，人卻不認識他，反而任意對待他。同樣，人子也將受他們的虐待。」17:13 門徒們這才明白耶穌這話是指著施洗者約翰說的。

一、中心內容：

內容：
01>主耶穌帶彼得、雅各、約翰上了一座高山（禱告），同時在山上變貌。（v1-2）

Jesus took with Him Peter, James and John to pray in the mountain. He was transfigured there. (v1-2)
02>忽然，這三個門徒看見摩西、以利亞跟主耶穌講話。（v3）

Suddenly, they saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus. (v3)
03>彼得未經深思，即對主耶穌說：要為主耶穌、摩西，以利亞搭三座帳棚。（v4）

Without a second thought, Peter said to Jesus that he wanted to build them three tents. (v4)
04>上帝第二度宣佈：主耶穌是祂的愛子，並吩咐他們當聽從祂。（v5）

It was the second time, God announced that Jesus was His beloved Son and commanded them to listen to Jesus. (v5)
05>門徒害怕，俯伏在地，主耶穌安慰他們之後，其他兩人立即消失。（v6-8）

The disciples prostrated on the ground out of fear. Jesus comforted them. The other two vanished right where they were. (v6-8)
06>主耶穌吩咐這三個門徒，當祂還未從死裏復活之前，勿將此異象告訴人。（v9）

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone about this vision before His resurrection from the dead. (v9)
07>主耶穌與門徒之間，有關施洗約翰（用「以利亞」來形容）的對話。（v10-13）

Jesus and the disciples conversed about John the Baptist. (v10-13)

主題：
1>主耶穌變貌。The transfiguration of Jesus

2>只見祂一人。They saw Jesus only

3>上山與下山。Before and after the mountain experience

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>揀選並訓練門徒的耶穌基督。（v1）Jesus chose and trained disciples. (v1)
2>重視禱告的耶穌基督。（v1）Jesus accentuated on praying. (v1)
3>外貌改變、彰顯榮光的耶穌基督（v2）。Jesus was transfigured and glorified. (v2)
4>總結律法（摩西）與先知（以利亞）的耶穌基督（v3）。Jesus is the conclusion of the law (Moses) and prophet (Elijah). (v3)
5>耶穌基督的慈父上帝（v5）God, Jesus’ loving Father. (5)
6>上帝所愛的兒子耶穌基督（v5）Jesus, God’s beloved Son (v5)
7>安慰門徒的耶穌基督。（v7）Jesus comforted the disciples. (v7)
8>即將死而復活的耶穌基督。（v9）Jesus was to resurrect from the dead. (v9)

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

1>重視禱告生活 Accentuate on praying
六天後，耶穌帶著彼得以及雅各和約翰兩兄弟悄悄地上了一座高山。（v1）

See verse 1.
當主耶穌正式宣佈祂將受難與復活之後的第六天，帶著彼得以及雅各和約翰兩兄弟悄悄地上了一座高山。然而，他們悄悄的上山，到底所為何事？根據路加福音九章廿八至卅六節的記載，非常清楚的指出：主耶穌就是帶領他們三人上山去禱告。

Jesus quietly took with Him Peter, James and John to a mountain. It was six days after Jesus told His disciples that He would be crucified and resurrect from the dead. Why did they go to the mountain? As recorded in Luke 9:28-36, Jesus took them to pray in the mountain.
談到禱告，我們都知道，當主耶穌在世上的年日，禱告是祂服事生涯中不可或缺的一部份。例如：祂教導人要禱告(路加福音18:1)，教導人如何禱告（馬太福音 6:6-13），本身也經常禱告(馬太福音14:23)，祂更以禱告，來面對生命中的每一個重要階段：a.受洗之時禱告(路加福音3:21) b.選召學生之前禱告(路加福音6:12) c.被捕之前禱告(路加福音22:44)d.生命結束前禱告(路加福音23:46)
根據這段經文所記載，主耶穌甚至帶著彼得、約翰與雅各等三位門徒上山去禱告。

Praying is an essential part of Jesus’ ministry on earth. In Luke 18:1, He told people to pray; in Matthew 6:6-13, He taught people how to pray; in Matthew 14:23, He prayed all the time. He faced each crucial stage in His life with prayer. A) Luke 3:21, His baptism; B) Luke 6:12, before choosing the disciples; C) Like 22:44, before His arrest; D) Like 23:46, before the end of His life.

In this verse, He took the disciples to pray in the mountain.
反省：我的禱告生活如何？是否從主耶穌的身上，得著提醒與激勵？
Reflection: How is my prayer life? Am I inspired and reminded to pray because of His example?
2>栽培核心同工 Train up core co-workers
六天後，耶穌帶著彼得以及雅各和約翰兩兄弟悄悄地上了一座高山。在他們面前，耶穌的形像變了：他的面貌像太陽一樣明亮，衣服也像光一樣潔白。（v1-2）

See verses 1and 2.
主耶穌揀選十二個使徒，將這十二個使徒帶在身邊，藉著生活化的方式培訓他們。但是我們如果稍微留意一下，將會發現：某些情況或服事，並非讓每個門徒都參與，而只挑選其中的三位，就是彼得、約翰、雅各。這種情形，聖經中至少出現三次。

Jesus chose and trained the twelve disciples by spending time with them daily. If we look closely, Jesus did not let each of them take part in every service or to be with Him in every situation. This time, He took only Peter, James and John with Him. Incidents like this had been recorded in three places in the Bible.

第一次：耶穌基督在客西馬尼園禱告時，只帶彼得、約翰、雅各這三人同行（太26:36-38、
可14:32-42、路22:39-46）。

First incident: See Matthew 26:36-38; Mark 14:32-42 and Luke 22:39-46. Jesus took them to pray with Him in the Garden of Gethsemane.
第二次：當耶穌基督醫治睚魯的女兒，使她從死裏復活時。聖經明明記載：耶穌到了他的家，除了彼得、約翰、雅各，和女兒的父母，不許別人同祂進去。（路8:51）

Second incident: Luke 8:51, when He arrived at the house of Jarius, He did not let anyone go in with Him except Peter, John and James.
第三次：本段經文所記載，耶穌基督在山上變貌的事件中，同樣只帶彼得、約翰、雅各這三位同行（太17:1-13、可9:2-13、路9:28-36）。

Third incident: Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13 and Like 9:28-36, in the event of His transfiguration, Jesus took only Peter, John and James.

為何會如此呢？因為某些情況或服事，並非人人都能參與。尤其有關屬靈的事，靈命不夠成熟的人，是不配知道、不配接觸、不配參與的。同時也證明，彼得、約翰、雅各這三個人，是屬靈生命於比較成熟的使徒，也是主耶穌所揀選，而且刻意栽培，小組中的小組、核心中的核心。

How so? Not everyone is suitable to serve in all situations, particularly, in the area of spiritual issues. It is not fit for a spiritual immature person to serve in these areas. This passage testified that Peter, John and James were more mature in their spirits; they were chosen and trained by Jesus. They were core of the cores.
反省：在事奉的過程中，我們反對負面的搞小圈圈，但是需要生命成熟、同心合意的同工，正如禱告的同工，彼此分擔與分享的同工----等。
Reflection: We oppose factions while serving in church. But we do need co-workers who are more mature in their spiritual life, just like prayer partners, partners who share with each other the joy and the burdens.
3>避免信口開河 Avoid worthless words
耶穌的形像變了：祂的面貌像太陽一樣明亮，衣服也像光一樣潔白。忽然，三個門徒看見摩西和以利亞在跟耶穌講話。彼得對耶穌說：「主啊，我們在這裏真好！你若願意，我就在這裏搭三座帳棚，一座給你，一座給摩西，一座給以利亞。」（v2-4）

See verse 2-4.
根據經文描述，當他們上山之後，首先，在突然之間，主耶穌的形象改變了，衣服就像光一樣的潔白。接著，忽然有摩西、以利亞兩個人出現，並跟主耶穌說話。
當彼得見到這個景象之後，必定心有所感，因此，突然對主耶穌說：「主啊，我們在這裏真好！你若願意，我就在這裏搭三座帳棚，一座給你，一座給摩西，一座給以利亞。」
路加福音針對這個事件，最後補上一句：彼得卻不知道所說的是甚麼。（路加福音9:33）
彼得這樣的狀況，不僅可以用「異想天開、不假思索、信口開河、不知所云」來形容。同時顯示出彼得那種「心直口快」的個性。

With Jesus, Moses and Elijah before his eyes, Peter suggested to Jesus that he wanted to build three tents for them. Peter was naïve and did not know what he was talking about. He was a quick-tongued person.
反省：有關屬靈的事，我是否更加謹慎尋求、小心的辨明？而不輕易斷言？
Reflection: Am I prudent in spiritual areas? Do I discern carefully and do not easily jump into conclusion?
4>上山是為下山 the purpose of entering the mountain is to be out of it
彼得對耶穌說：「主啊，我們在這裏真好！你若願意，我就在這裏搭三座帳棚，一座給你，一座給摩西，一座給以利亞。」（v4）

See verse 4.
在高山上，當主耶穌變貌，以及跟摩西、以利亞講話的景象，必定讓彼得著了迷，彼得沈浸，並且享受在這種榮耀、美好的氣氛當中，以致於不想要下山，甚至要為主耶穌、摩西、以利亞搭三座帳棚，就是作長久居留的打算。

Peter was fascinated by what he saw, seeing Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. It made him want to stay there forever. Thus, he suggested building three tents for them.
當然，這件事，彼得純粹以人的角度來看。如果從上帝的角度來看，情形就不是如此。
上帝不是要他們常留山上、享受氣氛，而是要他們下到山下，完成使命。因此，我們需要山上的經歷，但更需要山下的實踐。

Peter saw from the perspective of a human being. But, it was not God’s intention that they stayed there forever. He wanted them to leave the mountain to serve and to carry out the mission. Even though we need an experience like that, but more importantly is the action taken after leaving the mountain.

反省：我是否看重山上的經歷？是否更看重山下的使命？
Reflection: Do I value more the experience in the mountain or the mission afterward?
5>確認耶穌身份 Validation of Jesus’ identity
彼得正說這話的時候，一朵燦爛的雲彩籠罩了他們；有聲音從雲中出來，說：「這是我親愛的兒子，我喜愛他。你們要聽從他！」（v5）

See verse 5.
主耶穌是上帝的兒子，為了拯救世人，上帝差派祂到世上來。但是，當祂正式出來事奉之後，雖然教導、行事大有能力，但是當時有許多猶太人，都不相信祂就是上帝的兒子，尤其宗教領袖更是以百般的理由，來否認祂、拒絕祂，甚至迫害祂。

Jesus is Son of God. God sent Him to the world for the salvation of mankind. He was not recognized as Son of God by the Jewish people despite of His teaching and power. He was rejected, refused and persecuted by the leaders of His time.
因此，上帝就藉機會正式宣佈主耶穌擁有「上帝愛子」的身份。這裏說：這是我親愛的兒子，我喜愛他。你們要聽從祂！另外，在這之前，也就是當主耶穌在約旦河，接受施洗約翰洗禮的時候，上帝也作過類似的宣佈，就是說：「這是我親愛的兒子，我喜愛他。」（馬太福音3:17）

God declared that Jesus was His beloved Son in this passage and Matthew 3:17.
因此，我們可以確認，耶穌是基督，是永生上帝的兒子，是彌賽亞，是救世主。

Therefore, we are sure that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah and the Savior.
反省：我對主耶穌的認識有多少？是偉人？是先知？是上帝的兒子？是救世主？
Reflection: How much do I know Jesus? Is He a great person or a prophet or the Son of God or the Savior?
6>單單聽從耶穌 Listen to Jesus only
彼得正說這話的時候，一朵燦爛的雲彩籠罩了他們；有聲音從雲中出來，說：「這是我親愛的兒子，我喜愛他。你們要聽從他！」（v5）

See verse 5.
這是天父上帝第二次宣佈確認主耶穌的身份，也是為主耶穌的身份作見證。由於主耶穌是上帝的獨生愛子，是祂差派到世上的唯一代表。

It was the second time that God declared that Jesus was His beloved Son. He testified to Jesus’ identity.

Jesus is God’s sole representative to this world.
因此，當主耶穌在世上時，就是上帝唯一具有絕對權威的代表。因此，順服主耶穌就是順服父上帝。今天世上（甚至教會）有許多不同的聲音，有各種分歧的意見，我們應該謹慎，學習分辨什麼是來自主耶穌的聲音。唯有確實聽從祂，才能蒙上帝喜悅。

While Jesus was on the earth, He was an authoritative figure who represented God. Thus, obeying Jesus equals obeying God. There are many different voices and divided opinions in the world and even in churches; we must be very careful when it comes to discern Jesus’ voice. We please God by obeying Jesus.
反省：在這「民主多元、意見紛歧」的世代，我如何分辨何者才是主耶穌的聲音？
Reflection: How can I discern Jesus voice in a world of divided-opinions and multi-democracies?
7>只見耶穌一人They saw Jesus only
耶穌走過來，拍他們，說：「起來，不要怕！」他們抬頭一看，只見耶穌，其他的人都不見了。（v7-8）

See verses 7-8.
當上帝的聲音從雲中出來，說：「這是我親愛的兒子，我喜愛他。你們要聽從他！」之後，門徒因為聽見這聲音，就非常害怕，都俯伏在地上。主耶穌便走過來，拍他們說：「起來，不要怕！」他們抬頭一看，結果只見主耶穌一人，其他的人都不見了。

They fell face down on the ground when they heard the voice from the heaven. Jesus comforted them not to be afraid. All they saw was Jesus.
此 處「只見主耶穌一人」這句話，到底代表什麼意義呢？其實就是告訴我們：耶穌基督是獨特的、是唯一的。在上帝的救贖計劃當中，律法與先知都是階段性，也是不 完全的。代表律法的摩西，以及代表先知的以利亞，只是扮演見證人的角色而已，唯有耶穌基督才是一切的總成、總結。唯有在耶穌基督裏，才有真正而且完全的救 贖。

It means that Jesus is the only One. Law and prophets were only strategic in God’s salvation plan. Moses symbolized law and Elijah the prophets, they served as witnesses. Jesus Christ perfected God’s plan. Salvation is in Jesus Christ.
另外，摩西（律法）、以利亞（先知）代表舊約，耶穌基督代表新約。顯示：舊約時代已經過去，新約時代正式來臨。

Moses and Elijah represented the Old Testament era and Jesus the New Testament. The New Testament era has come.
反省：我是否確信耶穌基督是唯一的救贖？是否完全倚靠祂的救贖？
Reflection: Do I believe that Jesus is the only salvation? Do I rely fully on His salvation?
8>把握使命核心 The core of the mission
他們下山的時候，耶穌吩咐他們：「在人子沒有從死裏復活以前，千萬不要把所看見的異象告訴人。」（v9）

See verse 9.
當在變貌山上擁有榮耀的經歷之後，主耶穌去卻吩咐三個門徒，暫時不要將所看見的異象告訴任何人。為什麼會這樣吩咐呢？因為當時主耶穌的使命尚未完成，如果提早將這榮耀的經歷張揚開來，必然會影響上帝的救贖計劃。

Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone of this vision. It was because that Jesus’ mission was not finished yet. It would affect God’s plan, if they spread the news before it was time.
主耶穌希望門徒明白，唯有十字架才是祂使命的核心。因此，只有藉著祂的犧牲，才能完成上帝所託付的使命，人類才能脫離罪和死亡的轄制。因此，才特別吩咐這三個門徒說，當祂還沒有從死裏復活以前，千萬不要把所看見的異象告訴人。

Jesus wanted them to understand that the cross was the core of His mission. It was only through His sacrifice that human beings would be set free from under the control of sin and death. Thus is the reason for it.
反省：我是否如同主耶穌一樣，懂得優先次序、明白使命核心？
Reflection: Can I prioritize things like Jesus did when it comes to mission?
9>開路先鋒約翰 John the pioneer
於是門徒問耶穌：「為甚麼經學教師說以利亞必須先來呢？」耶穌回答：「以利亞是要先來準備一切。可是我告訴你們，以利亞已經來過，人卻不認識他，反而任意對待他。同樣，人子也將受他們的虐待。」門徒們這才明白耶穌這話是指著施洗者約翰說的。（v10-13）

See verses 10-13)
先知瑪垃基曾經預言，當彌賽亞來臨之前，有一位「以利亞」將要先來到。他是基督的開路先，他來要為主預備道路。（瑪垃基3:1）當然，此處所為的以利亞，就是指施洗約翰。但是非常可惜，當時的宗教領袖，無法真正認識他的身份，因此任意對待他。

Malachi prophesied that Elijah would come before Messiah. He would prepare the way for Christ. (See Malachi 3:1) Elijah symbolized John the Baptist. He was not well treated by the leaders of his time, because they did not recognize his identity.
最後，這位上帝忠心的僕人，由於耿直的個性，以及對是非得堅持，竟然犧牲了寶貴的性命。施洗約翰的事奉是值得稱許的，因為他成為耶穌基督的開路先鋒，不僅將人們引到耶穌基督面前來，甚至連他自己的門徒，也介紹給主耶穌。

He was a faithful servant of God. His stern personality resulted in his death. He deserved to be applauded in his service. He prepared the way that people could come to Jesus. Furthermore, he also introduced his disciples to Jesus.
反省：施洗約翰對自己角色適切的扮演，對上帝所託付使命完全的承擔，以及對是非善惡的分明與堅持，對我有什麼樣的啟示？
Reflection: John the Baptist played his role well, he carried out God’s mission and he was stern in distinguishing right and wrong. What inspiration do I get from his example?

I
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用