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

MATTHEW 17:2KJV
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Matthew 17:2 (KJV)

What does Matthew 17:2 mean?

Matthew 17:2 describes a visible change in Jesus’ appearance before three of his followers. His face shines like the sun, and his clothing becomes white like light. The scene presents them with an extraordinary sight while they are with him on a mountain.

The words “as the sun” and “as the light” compare what the followers saw to familiar sources of brightness. The verse follows Jesus’ journey up the mountain with Peter, James, and John. Matthew tells the event as a narrator; Jesus is not speaking in this sentence.

The Greek behind Matthew 17:2

  • “transfigured” — μεταμορφόω (metamorphoō): This word carries the sense of being changed in form or appearance. Here, the change is something the followers can see.
  • “raiment” — ἱμάτιον (himation): This word means clothing or a garment. The brightness described in the verse extends to what Jesus is wearing.

Why Matthew 17:2 matters

  • The event has named witnesses. “Before them” refers to Peter, James, and John, whom Jesus took with him in the preceding verse.
  • The brightness belongs to the description of Jesus himself, not just the surroundings. Matthew describes both his face and his clothing.
  • The change introduces a longer encounter on the mountain. In the following verses, Moses and Elijah appear and speak with Jesus, and a voice speaks from a cloud.

Where else these words appear

“transfigured” Greek G3339 · used in 4 verses

  • Mark 9:2 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.
  • Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
  • 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

“shine” Greek G2989 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
  • Acts 12:7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

“white” Greek G3022 · used in 23 verses

  • Matthew 5:36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
  • Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
  • Revelation 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

“sun” Greek G2246 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
  • Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,