Texts in Conversation
Matthew 17 describes Jesus taking Peter, James, and John up a mountain, echoing Exodus 24 where Moses ascends with companions to meet God. Both describe a chosen few witnessing a divine revelation on a mountain.
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Exodus 24:1
Hebrew Bible
1 But to Moses the Lord said, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from a distance. 2 Moses alone may come near the Lord, but the others must not come near, nor may the people go up with him.” 3 Moses came and told the people all the Lord’s words and all the decisions. All the people answered together, “We are willing to do all the words that the Lord has said,” 4 and Moses wrote down all the words of the Lord. Early in the morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain and arranged twelve standing stones—according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Date: 5th Century B.C.E. (Final composition) (based on scholarly estimates)
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Matthew 17:1
New Testament
1 Six days later Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them privately up a high mountain. 2 And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 Then Moses and Elijah also appeared before them, talking with him. 4 So Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, I will make three shelters—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my one dear Son, in whom I take great delight. Listen to him!”
Date: 70-90 C.E. (based on scholarly estimates)
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Notes and References
"... Peter . . . James . . . John, like Moses, Jesus takes three named disciples for a revelatory experience (compare Exodus 24.1). High mountain, associated with Moses and Elijah (see 5:1–2.; Exodus 19:20; 24.9–18; 1 Kings 19:8–18) ..."
Levine, Amy-Jill & Brettler, Marc Zvi
The Jewish Annotated New Testament
(p. 31) Oxford University Press, 2011
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
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