Mark 9 2

Mark 9:2 kjv

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.

Mark 9:2 nkjv

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.

Mark 9:2 niv

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.

Mark 9:2 esv

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them,

Mark 9:2 nlt

Six days later Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus' appearance was transformed,

Mark 9 verses

Mark 9 2 Meaning

Mark 9:2 describes the foundational moment of the Transfiguration of Jesus. After six days from Jesus' first prediction of His suffering and call to discipleship, He took His inner circle—Peter, James, and John—up a high mountain away from others. There, Jesus was divinely transformed, revealing His inherent glory and true nature as the Son of God before them. This event served as a crucial revelation of His divinity, linking Him to the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah), confirming His identity and foreshadowing His ultimate glory and the Kingdom's coming in power.

Mark 9 2 Context

Mark 9:2 is strategically placed in Mark's narrative. It immediately follows Peter's pivotal confession of Jesus as the Christ (Mark 8:29) and Jesus' subsequent revelation of His coming suffering and death (Mark 8:31). This juxtaposition is crucial: the disciples' expectation of a triumphant, earthly Messiah is challenged by the necessity of suffering. Mark 8:34-38 further expounds on the cost of discipleship, inviting followers to take up their cross. Directly preceding the Transfiguration, Mark 9:1 hints at "some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power." Many scholars understand the Transfiguration as the primary fulfillment of this prophecy, providing a glimpse into the Kingdom's glorious power and the true identity of its King, validating Jesus' claims even in light of the coming suffering. This divine validation strengthens the disciples for the trials ahead, providing assurance of Jesus' authority despite His humble path to the cross. Historically, mountains were seen as places where God met humanity and revealed Himself, a tradition rooted deeply in the Old Testament, making a high mountain a fitting backdrop for such a profound divine encounter.

Mark 9 2 Word analysis

• And after six days (καὶ μετὰ ἓξ ἡμέρας - kai meta hex hemeras): This precise temporal marker is significant. It echoes Exod 24:16 where Moses ascends Mount Sinai after a six-day waiting period, culminating in God's glory dwelling on the mountain. This parallel signals to the original audience, well-versed in the Exodus narrative, that something of momentous, Sinai-like revelation is about to occur. It links Jesus to Moses and the giving of the Law.
• Jesus took with him (παραλαμβάνει αὐτούς - paralambanei autous): Implies a deliberate, selective act. Jesus intentionally chooses these three specific disciples, designating them as special witnesses to a profound truth. The verb also connotes taking into close companionship.
• Peter and James and John: These three form Jesus' inner circle, consistently present at critical moments of revelation and intimacy (e.g., healing Jairus's daughter, Gethsemane). Their presence highlights the unique nature of the event and their role as key witnesses for the emerging church.
• and led them up (ἀναφέρει - anapherei): Signifies an ascent, a movement upwards. Mountains in biblical tradition are often sites of divine encounter, revelation, covenant, and holiness. They separate from the mundane, signifying a higher spiritual plane.
• a high mountain (ὄρος ὑψηλόν - oros hypselon): While unnamed, its height emphasizes its separation and symbolic significance. It evokes other holy mountains like Sinai or Zion, places where God's presence was manifested. It sets the scene for a sublime, supernatural event.
• by themselves (κατ' ἰδίαν - kat' idian): Means "privately," "apart," or "alone." This seclusion ensures the intimacy and exclusivity of the revelation. It emphasizes that this profound experience was reserved for these few, reinforcing their role as chosen witnesses who would later attest to Jesus' glory.
• And he was transfigured (καὶ μετεμορφώθη - kai metamorphothe): This is the central, most powerful verb of the verse.
  • Metamorphoo means "to change into another form," "to transform," or "to alter in appearance." It signifies a visible alteration that reveals an inner reality, not just a superficial change.
  • In Jesus' case, it was the visible manifestation of His inherent divine glory, which He usually veiled in His human form. It was a revelation of His pre-existent, eternal glory. This word is also used in Rom 12:2 and 2 Cor 3:18 concerning the spiritual transformation of believers, drawing a connection between Jesus' glory and the believer's eventual conformity to His image.
• before them (ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν - emprosthen auton): Directly states that this astonishing transformation was observed by Peter, James, and John, emphasizing their eyewitness account. This bolsters the credibility of the event as a real, historical occurrence, rather than a mere vision or dream.

Mark 9 2 Bonus section

The precise dating of "after six days" by Mark (and Matthew) compared to Luke's "about eight days after these sayings" (Lk 9:28) is an area of scholarly discussion. The "six days" can strongly connect to the Exodus narrative, referring to the interval before the glory of the Lord appeared on Mount Sinai to Moses. Luke's "eight days" might include the day Jesus made the statements and the day of the Transfiguration itself, counting inclusively, or it might be a general period of "about a week." Regardless, both temporal markers signify that this event follows the passion predictions and calls to discipleship quite closely, linking it thematically to those profound teachings. The mountain's unnamed status is typical for biblical narratives unless the specific location holds prior religious significance. Its anonymous nature here highlights its symbolic function as "a high mountain," a place for divine manifestation rather than a specific landmark. This moment of unparalleled glory serves as a counterpoint and profound assurance for the disciples as they are about to embark on the challenging path of understanding the suffering Messiah. It is a moment of clear vision amidst growing confusion about the nature of Jesus' mission.

Mark 9 2 Commentary

Mark 9:2 stands as a pivotal event in Jesus' ministry, the Transfiguration revealing His true identity and bridging key Old and New Testament themes. Occurring immediately after Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ, yet also Jesus' prophecy of His suffering, the Transfiguration provides divine affirmation. The "six days" connect Jesus directly to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:16), indicating a new covenant moment of revelation, where God's glory now rests not on a mountain or a tabernacle, but on His Son.

The high mountain signifies a sacred space of divine encounter, setting this event apart as a direct communication from God. The presence of Peter, James, and John, the inner circle, ensures authoritative witnesses for the unparalleled display of Jesus' inherent glory. Jesus' "transfiguration" (metamorphosis) was not merely a change in external appearance but a revelation of His essential divine nature, breaking through His human veil. This powerful moment offers a preview of Jesus' resurrection glory, His final return, and the spiritual transformation available to believers who look to Him. It reaffirms Jesus as God's beloved Son and true Messiah, demonstrating His authority over the Law and the Prophets through the appearances of Moses and Elijah, thereby preparing the disciples for the upcoming paradox of a suffering Messiah and glorious King. It validates Mark 9:1's prophecy, confirming that some would indeed see the Kingdom of God arrive "with power" through Jesus' unveiled glory.