Devine Scripture

Matthew 17:2

What does Matthew 17:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 17:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 17:2 means

Jesus is dramatically transformed before their eyes; His face radiating with the brilliance of the sun and His clothes becoming intensely white, shining like pure light. This is not merely a change in appearance but a momentary unveiling of His inherent divine glory, usually hidden by His human form. This visible splendor offers the disciples a glimpse into Jesus' true nature as God, far exceeding their previous understanding of Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he was changed in form before them; and his face was shining like the sun, and his clothing became white as light.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he was transfigured before them, and his face shone as the sun, and his garments did become white as the light,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he was transfigured before them. And his face did shine as the sun: and his garments became white as snow.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he was transfigured before them. And his face shone as the sun, and his garments became white as the light;

Context

This verse describes the miraculous climax of the ascent in verse 1. It directly follows Jesus taking the disciples to the mountain, detailing the supernatural transformation that immediately takes place. This revelation of Jesus' divine glory is the central event of the transfiguration, forming the basis for the subsequent appearances and divine pronouncements.

v.1And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart:

v.2This passage

v.3And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elijah talking with him.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 19:12

    And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself.

  • John 1:14

    And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth.

  • Luke 9:29

    And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling.

  • Revelation 20:11

    And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

  • Mark 9:3

    and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.

  • Revelation 1:13

    and in the midst of the candlesticks one like unto a son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about at the breasts with a golden girdle.

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