Mark 9:3 kjv
And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
Mark 9:3 nkjv
His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Mark 9:3 niv
His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
Mark 9:3 esv
and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.
Mark 9:3 nlt
and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.
Mark 9 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 7:9 | "His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head like pure wool..." | Describes the Ancient of Days with snow-white attire. |
| Mt 17:2 | "And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light." | Matthew's parallel account of Transfiguration glory. |
| Lk 9:29 | "And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming." | Luke's parallel account emphasizing glowing garments. |
| Ex 24:10 | "and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself." | A divine manifestation marked by intense clarity/light. |
| Ex 34:29 | "when Moses came down from Mount Sinai…the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him." | Moses' face reflects divine glory, foreshadowing greater glory in Christ. |
| Psa 51:7 | "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." | "Whiter than snow" as a metaphor for divine cleansing and purity. |
| Isa 1:18 | "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow..." | Divine cleansing making one supernaturally pure. |
| Rev 1:14 | "His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire." | John's vision of the glorified Christ with snow-white attributes. |
| Rev 3:4 | "But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white..." | Promise of white garments for the faithful, symbolizing purity. |
| Rev 3:5 | "The one who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments..." | Overcomers granted heavenly white clothing, signifying victory and purity. |
| Rev 6:11 | "And white robes were given to each of them; and they were told that they were to rest for a little while longer..." | Martyrs in heaven receive white robes as a symbol of righteousness. |
| Rev 7:9 | "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude...clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands..." | The redeemed worshipping God, arrayed in white. |
| Rev 7:13-14 | "Who are these, clothed in the white robes...? And he said to me, 'These are the ones who came out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'" | The source of heavenly white garments: redemption through Christ. |
| Rev 19:8 | "It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and pure – for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." | The Bride of Christ arrayed in bright, pure linen, signifying righteousness. |
| Ecc 9:8 | "Let your clothes always be white, and do not let oil be lacking on your head." | Symbolic of purity, joy, and festive readiness in earthly life. |
| 1 Jn 3:2 | "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him..." | Anticipation of sharing in Christ's glory. |
| 2 Cor 3:18 | "But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image..." | Believers are progressively transformed into Christ's glorious image. |
| Phil 3:21 | "who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has..." | Promise of a future glorified body for believers, echoing Christ's Transfiguration. |
| Tit 2:13 | "looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus..." | Anticipation of Christ's glorious return. |
| Heb 12:14 | "Pursue peace with all people, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord." | Emphasizes the necessity of holiness, mirroring the purity revealed in Christ's garments. |
| Eph 5:27 | "that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." | Christ's work in purifying His Church, preparing her for a state of flawless holiness. |
Mark 9 verses
Mark 9 3 Meaning
Mark 9:3 describes a profound physical manifestation of Jesus' divine glory during His Transfiguration. His ordinary garments suddenly became dazzling, supernaturally white, far beyond the capability of any earthly process or professional cleaner. This intense purity and radiance served as a powerful revelation of His true identity as the Son of God, distinct from any human standard of brilliance.
Mark 9 3 Context
Mark 9:3 is part of the narrative of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9:2-8). This event occurs six days after Jesus' first clear prediction of His suffering, death, and resurrection, and Peter's confession of Him as the Christ (Mark 8:27-33). By revealing His divine glory, Jesus confirmed His identity and provided His closest disciples (Peter, James, and John) with a profound glimpse into His true nature and His ultimate destiny of triumph over suffering, thereby strengthening their faith in preparation for the challenging events to come. It serves as a majestic prefiguration of His resurrection glory and His Second Coming. The historical and cultural context highlights the rarity and sacredness of extremely white clothing, especially for spiritual significance, making Jesus' clothes surpass anything humanly achievable. Fullers (cloth-bleachers) were skilled craftsmen, able to produce the purest white possible with their advanced techniques and materials (like fuller's earth or lye), yet Jesus' garments far exceeded even their professional ability.
Mark 9 3 Word analysis
- His: Refers specifically to Jesus, signifying the unique and personal nature of this revelation of glory.
- clothes (Greek: himatia - ἱμάτια): Plural, indicating His outer garments. These were His ordinary, earthly clothes, which now partake of divine radiance. This underscores that His glory is not an external addition but a burst forth from His intrinsic divine nature.
- became (Greek: egeneto - ἐγένετο): Signifies a change of state, an immediate transformation. It points to a supernatural event, not a gradual process or human effort.
- dazzling/radiant (Greek: stilbonta - στίλβοντα): Meaning glittering, sparkling, shining brilliantly. It describes an active, intense glow, emanating from within, indicative of divine glory and light.
- exceedingly/intensely (Greek: lian - λίαν): An adverb emphasizing the superlative degree. It highlights the absolute uniqueness and overwhelming nature of the whiteness. This was not just "very white" but supremely, exceptionally white.
- white (Greek: leuka - λευκά): The color white often symbolizes purity, holiness, righteousness, triumph, and divine glory throughout the Bible (e.g., in priestly garments, angels' appearance, heavenly realms).
- like snow: A vivid simile, often used in scripture (Psa 51:7, Isa 1:18, Dan 7:9, Rev 1:14) to denote absolute, unblemished purity and a state of being completely clean and bright.
- such as no fuller (Greek: gnapheus - γναφεύς): A fuller or laundress. These were specialists who processed textiles, using various techniques (like stamping, scouring with alkaline earths, or applying sulfur) to whiten and purify clothes. They were experts in their field and could achieve the whitest possible white through human means. The inclusion of the fuller highlights the impossibility of replicating this whiteness by any earthly standard.
- on earth: Explicitly states the limitation. The kind of whiteness Jesus' garments attained was not achievable by anyone on earth or by any earthly means, emphasizing its supernatural, celestial origin.
- can whiten: Indicates human ability or power. The contrast drawn emphasizes that this was an act of divine power and glory, not human effort.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- His clothes became dazzling white: This phrase encapsulates the central miraculous event. It's the physical manifestation of Jesus' inherent divine glory, radiating outward and transforming His ordinary attire. It reveals that the "suffering Messiah" is also the "glorious Son of God."
- exceedingly white, like snow: This superlative description elevates the event beyond ordinary human experience. The comparison to snow, coupled with "exceedingly," communicates a purity and brilliance that is perfect and unstained, reminiscent of divine attributes.
- such as no fuller on earth can whiten: This crucial clause provides the unparalleled nature of the whiteness. It serves as an emphatic hyperbole, affirming that the brilliance observed was not merely superior but supernatural. It unequivocally distinguishes this glory from anything humanly attainable, underscoring its divine origin and uniqueness to Christ. It rules out any natural explanation and magnifies the miracle.
Mark 9 3 Bonus section
The Transfiguration narrative, including Mark 9:3, connects Jesus directly to significant Old Testament figures and prophecies. The brilliance of Jesus' clothing, echoing the "ancient of days" in Daniel 7:9, firmly places Him within the trajectory of God's redemptive plan as the true King and ultimate Judge. The cloud (Mark 9:7) and voice from heaven are clear indicators of a divine Christophany, a direct manifestation of God. The brilliance of Jesus' garments can also be seen as a foretaste of the future resurrection glory, not only for Himself but also for those who belong to Him. This dazzling white is not merely aesthetic; it is substantive. It portrays purity, righteousness, and the unblemished holiness that characterized Christ and that He bestows upon His followers, presenting them "without spot or wrinkle" (Eph 5:27) through His sanctifying work.
Mark 9 3 Commentary
Mark 9:3 offers a vivid snapshot of the Transfiguration's core wonder: the revelation of Jesus' inherent divine glory. The instantaneous transformation of His common garments into "dazzling white" speaks volumes. This was not a temporary halo or an angelic visitation, but Christ Himself revealing the divine splendor that dwelt within Him, momentarily penetrating His human form and affecting His clothing. The detail about "no fuller on earth" emphasizes the supernatural character of this event; it transcended all human capabilities and materials, asserting that the witnessed purity and radiance belonged exclusively to the divine realm. It underscores His preeminence and perfect holiness, which mere human effort could never emulate. For the disciples, who had just heard of His impending suffering, this momentary glimpse of His transcendent majesty would serve as a powerful affirmation of His identity and a foundation for enduring the scandal of the cross.