Was the Transfiguration a vision, or an actual appearance of Moses and Elijah?

[St. SteVen]

I seem to stand alone in my position that it probably wasn't a vision.
Even though some of our Bible translations use the word in the passage.
The controversy seems to surround whether we can speak to the dead.
Most say, "No." therefore it had to be a vision.
Jesus was with the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection. Dead or alive? (or both) ???

But I see some evidence that indicates to me that it wasn't a vision.
- The immersive quality of the experience is more dreamlike than a vision.
- The text says that Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
- Peter offered to build three shelters.
- The disciples fell on their faces in terror when they were surrounded by a cloud and heard God that Father speaking loudly.
- The disciples asked whether this was the appearance of Elijah that was prophesied.

Matthew 17:1-13

Mark 9:1-13

Luke 9:28-36

What are your thoughts?

[

 

[ChristinaL]

I seem to stand alone in my position that it probably wasn't a vision.
Even though some of our Bible translations use the word in the passage.
The controversy seems to surround whether we can speak to the dead.
Most say, "No." therefore it had to be a vision.
Jesus was with the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection. Dead or alive? (or both) ???

But I see some evidence that indicates to me that it wasn't a vision.
- The immersive quality of the experience is more dreamlike than a vision.
- The text says that Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
- Peter offered to build three shelters.
- The disciples fell on their faces in terror when they were surrounded by a cloud and heard God that Father speaking loudly.
- The disciples asked whether this was the appearance of Elijah that was prophesied.

Matthew 17:1-13

Mark 9:1-13

Luke 9:28-36

What are your thoughts?

[

You dont stand alone it was real. And it doesnt contradict what we know to be true that you cant speak to the dead because Moses and Elijah spoke only to Jesus not to the apostles.....and btw need I remind you Elijah isnt dead

 

[Aunty Jane]

I seem to stand alone in my position that it probably wasn't a vision.
Even though some of our Bible translations use the word in the passage.
The controversy seems to surround whether we can speak to the dead.
Most say, "No." therefore it had to be a vision.
Jesus was with the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection. Dead or alive? (or both) ???

Since no one was resurrected to heaven before Jesus opened the way by the sacrifice of his own life, the presence of Moses and Elijah with Jesus at the transfiguration was the fulfillment of a promise Jesus made just six days prior to that event.
”For the Son of man is to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will repay each one according to his behavior. 28 Truly I say to you that there are some of those standing here who will not taste death at all until first they see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom.”

And Peter, James and John had that privilege. Since it was called a “vision” by Jesus himself, what do we need to understand about this event? How are Moses and Elijah tied in with Jesus in his Kingdom?

Since the Jesus they saw was in an altered state, the glory of his presence in this vision was reflected in his appearance….a radiance that indicated his glowing in a supernatural way.

This is how he would be seen in his glorious state once he returned to his Father in heaven. (John 17:4-5)
His disciples were seeing the full range of what God’s Kingdom encompasses….Jesus represented the King, Moses represented the Law, and Elijah represented the prophets….all three would lead obedient mankind to the kingdom of God.

But I see some evidence that indicates to me that it wasn't a vision.
- The immersive quality of the experience is more dreamlike than a vision.

It was a shared experience…not an individual hallucination or dream. It was a demonstration of things heavenly to those who remained in the flesh on earth…a glimpse of what was to come….for those who were “called“ as the elect or chosen ones. (2 Peter 1:10-11)

- The text says that Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
- Peter offered to build three shelters.

This shows how real the experience was to the ones who witnessed it….as Jews, Peter, James and John all knew that Moses and Elijah were long dead, but perhaps assumed that they had been resurrected…..yet no one went to heaven before Jesus, and Jewish belief should have argued with what they may have assumed.

The offer to build three tents for his guests was a show of expected Jewish hospitality, though they had no way to know what they had just beheld….it would be revealed later.
Peter wrote….
”No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, we were eyewitnesses of his magnificence. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory when words such as these were conveyed to him by the magnificent glory: “This is my Son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.” 18 Yes, these words we heard coming from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18)

- The disciples fell on their faces in terror when they were surrounded by a cloud and heard God that Father speaking loudly.

If we had been there, we probably would have done the same thing….

- The disciples asked whether this was the appearance of Elijah that was prophesied.

Matthew 17:1-13

Vs 12-13…..“However, the disciples put the question to him: “Why, then, do the scribes say that E·liʹjah must come first?” 11 In reply he said: “E·liʹjah is indeed coming and will restore all things. 12 However, I say to you that E·liʹjah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did whatever they wanted with him. In this way also, the Son of man is going to suffer at their hands. 13 Then the disciples perceived that he spoke to them about John the Baptist.”

So John the Baptist was the one who was prefigured by Elijah….preparing the way for the promised Messiah.

Mark 9:1-13

Luke 9:28-36

What are your thoughts?

Luke’s account is interesting….
“And look! two men were conversing with him; they were Moses and E·liʹjah. 31 These appeared with glory and began talking about his departure, which he was about to fulfill at Jerusalem. 32  Now Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 And as these were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus: “Instructor, it is fine for us to be here. So let us erect three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for E·liʹjah.” He did not realize what he was saying. 34  But as he was saying these things, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them. As they entered into the cloud, they became afraid. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying: “This is my Son, the one who has been chosen. Listen to him.” 36  As the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet and did not report to anyone in those days any of the things they saw.”

They were to tell no one about the vision until after Christ’s resurrection, when the holy spirit (poured out upon his disciples at Pentecost) would reveal all that they needed to know about what they saw.

 

[Aunty Jane]

and btw need I remind you Elijah isnt dead

Please share with us where Scripture tells us that Elijah didn’t die…..?

 

[St. SteVen]

Since it was called a “vision” by Jesus himself, what do we need to understand about this event?

Thanks for your detailed and thoughtful post.

I think this is a question of Bible translation.

Matthew 17:9 NIV
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them,
“Don’t tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Mark 9:9 NIV
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone
what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Luke 9:36 NIV
When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.
The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.


The NT Greek doesn't seem to support the word "vision" except in a vague sense.

Strong's Concordance
horaó: to see, perceive, attend to
Original Word: ὁράω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: horaó
Phonetic Spelling: (hor-ah'-o)
Definition: to see, perceive, attend to
Usage: I see, look upon, experience, perceive, discern, beware.






[

 

[TrevorHL]

Greetings "St SteVen",

But I see some evidence that indicates to me that it wasn't a vision.
- The text says that Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.

I consider that Moses and Elijah were actually there, and did give to Jesus both encouragement and advice about Jesus' impending suffering, crucifixion and resurrection. The whole event would also encourage Jesus, fixing in his own mind the reality of the future kingdom upon the earth. It was an enactment equivalent to the period of time when Moses and Elijah would be in the future kingdom when Jesus returns from heaven to be in glory with them upon the earth. To accomplish this event, Moses and Elijah would have been temporarily resurrected.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[St. SteVen]

I consider that Moses and Elijah were actually there, and did give to Jesus both encouragement and advice about Jesus' impending suffering, crucifixion and resurrection.

Thanks. That's a great point about the PURPOSE of the visitation.

[

 

[lforrest]

What are your thoughts?

It was no vision, it really happened. Moses and Elijah saw the face of the Lord that day.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

I seem to stand alone in my position that it probably wasn't a vision.
Even though some of our Bible translations use the word in the passage.
The controversy seems to surround whether we can speak to the dead.
Most say, "No." therefore it had to be a vision.
Jesus was with the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection. Dead or alive? (or both) ???

But I see some evidence that indicates to me that it wasn't a vision.
- The immersive quality of the experience is more dreamlike than a vision.
- The text says that Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
- Peter offered to build three shelters.
- The disciples fell on their faces in terror when they were surrounded by a cloud and heard God that Father speaking loudly.
- The disciples asked whether this was the appearance of Elijah that was prophesied.

Matthew 17:1-13

Mark 9:1-13

Luke 9:28-36

What are your thoughts?

[

What difference does it make what form that amazing event took? Take it at face-value that Moses and Elijah (the lawgiver and the prophet) appeared with Jesus. The point of it was that Jesus showed his divine nature, and the Father approved of him.

 

[Jericho]

I'm a literalist. I take it to mean what it says it means. God passed by both Moses and Elijah:

Exo 33:19 The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you [Moses]. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.

1Ki 19:11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.

The word for pass (ʿāḇar) can mean to "take away". My theory is at that moment they were both taken away to the future.

 

[Bruce-Leiter]

You might be right, but the focus is always on Jesus in the gospels.

 

[Aunty Jane]

I think this is a question of Bible translation.

Not only translation but also failing to understand what had taken place through the eyes of Jesus’ Jewish disciples.
As Jews, the apostles knew the condition of the dead…that they were not alive somewhere (either in heaven or hell) because this was not taught to them at all. (Eccl 9:5, 10)

The Kingdom that Jesus spoke about during his ministry was not completely understood until Pentecost with the outpouring of God’s spirit upon the 120 disciples gathered in an upper room.

The apostles had asked Jesus as was ascending to heaven….
”Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” (Acts 1:6)
They had not yet discerned the heavenly nature of the Kingdom and their role in its administration.

Jewish expectation was that the Kingdom would be ruling on earth with those of God’s holy nation appointed as its royal priesthood. This is what their Scripture led them to believe, and right up until Jesus’ departure, they still held to it….

But reading the account in context we see why….
Acts 1:3-8…
”After he had suffered, he showed himself alive to them by many convincing proofs.He was seen by them throughout 40 days, and he was speaking about the Kingdom of God. 4 While he was meeting with them, he ordered them: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but keep waiting for what the Father has promised, about which you heard from me; 5 for John, indeed, baptized with water, but you will be baptized with holy spirit not many days after this.

6 So when they had assembled, they asked him: “Lord, are you restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?” 7 He said to them: “It does not belong to you to know the times or seasons that the Father has placed in his own jurisdiction. 8 But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you, and you will be witnesses of me in Jerusalem, in all Ju·deʹa and Sa·marʹi·a, and to the most distant part of the earth.”

The heavenly nature of the Kingdom was something to be revealed in God’s due time, and Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for what the Father had promised and about which Jesus had been telling them. But as it was not yet time for that revelation, the apostles expected that Jesus would assume his role as King there and then. But there were many things yet to be understood, and a great work to be accomplished… in all the world. God’s holy spirit would do the revealing of all these things.

The things written by Paul and John in later times revealed the spiritual nature of the Kingdom and the role that God’s anointed ones (his elect) would play in it. Going to heaven was a new revelation to them, even though Jesus had told them that he was “going to prepare a place for them” and would come back to take them “home” to be where he was. They did not fully understand.

Rev 20:6 revealed that these chosen ones would be the priesthood that was foretold in their Scripture and that they would also be kings and rule with Jesus from heaven over a cleansed earth, bringing redeemed mankind back into reconciliation with their God, from whom they had been alienated due to the sin introduced by Adam.
Jesus came to “buy back” (redeem) what Adam lost for all of us……everlasting life in paradise….not in heaven, but here on earth where God created us in the beginning. His purpose for the human race never altered but his methods in bringing us back to it, took a detour. (Isa 55:11)

Rev 21:2-4 shows that this arrangement will be for “mankind”…humans living on earth, with all the things that caused grief, pain and suffering, removed from human experience, forever.

The NT Greek doesn't seem to support the word "vision" except in a vague sense.

Strong's Concordance
horaó: to see, perceive, attend to
Original Word: ὁράω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: horaó
Phonetic Spelling: (hor-ah'-o)
Definition: to see, perceive, attend to
Usage: I see, look upon, experience, perceive, discern, beware.

Interestingly there are two words used for this vision and only Matthew uses the word “vision” (horama)
“ὅραμα hórama, hor'-am-ah; from G3708; something gazed at, i.e. a spectacle (especially supernatural):—sight, vision.

We see from other verses that use this word, that it isn’t just something seen with the eyes, but a supernatural vision. Acts 10:3, 17, 19 all use this word for a “vision” concerning the conversion of the first Gentile, Cornelius, to Christianity. The same is seen in Acts 16:9-10 for a vision that Paul experienced.

The other word is “horaō” and it means similarly….

1. to see with the eyes
2. to see with the mind, to perceive, know
3. to see, i.e. become acquainted with by experience, to experience
4. to see, to look to

So with some understanding of Jewish belief and a good Concordance to guide our appreciation of word usage in other verses, we can get a clearer picture.

 

[Wick Stick]

I seem to stand alone in my position that it probably wasn't a vision.
Even though some of our Bible translations use the word in the passage.
The controversy seems to surround whether we can speak to the dead.
Most say, "No." therefore it had to be a vision.
Jesus was with the disciples for 40 days after his resurrection. Dead or alive? (or both) ???

But I see some evidence that indicates to me that it wasn't a vision.
- The immersive quality of the experience is more dreamlike than a vision.
- The text says that Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.
- Peter offered to build three shelters.
- The disciples fell on their faces in terror when they were surrounded by a cloud and heard God that Father speaking loudly.
- The disciples asked whether this was the appearance of Elijah that was prophesied.

Matthew 17:1-13

Mark 9:1-13

Luke 9:28-36

What are your thoughts?

Moses went up Mt Nebo at the time of his death (Deu 34).

Elijah went to Jericho, and then crossed over Jordan before ascending to heaven (2Ki 2). Should one look at a map, that puts him pretty close to... Mt Nebo.

I have a sneaking suspicion I know on exactly which "high mountain" the Transfiguration happened.

 

[Aunty Jane]

Moses went up Mt Nebo at the time of his death (Deu 34).

Elijah went to Jericho, and then crossed over Jordan before ascending to heaven (2Ki 2). Should one look at a map, that puts him pretty close to... Mt Nebo.

I have a sneaking suspicion I know on exactly which "high mountain" the Transfiguration happened.

View attachment 50779

Did Elijah go to heaven? Is that what is says in 2 Kings 2:11?

There is sound Scriptural reason to believe that Elijah was carried away into the “sky”, not taken to “heaven” at all.

First of all because the Bible plainly says that no one went to heaven before Jesus….
John 3:13….
”…no man has ascended into heaven but the one who descended from heaven, the Son of man.”

….that means that no dead people ever went to heaven before he did. Jews believed that “sheol” was the grave….a place where the dead slept in an unconscious condition. (Eccl 9:5, 10) The same place from which Jesus raised his friend Lazarus, whom he said was “sleeping”. (John 11:11-14)

And no human can go to heaven because it is a spiritual realm in which mere mortals cannot exist. (1 Cor 15:50) Those who will be taken to heaven must of necessity shed their human flesh to take on a spiritual body in order to dwell where God and the angels reside.
This was revealed only after Jesus death and resurrection, with the outpouring of the holy spirit at Pentecost.

Secondly the word in Hebrew where Elijah was taken is “šāmayim”, which means…
heaven, heavens, sky…

1. visible heavens, sky
   1. as abode of the stars
   2. as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc

Genesis ch 1 speaks of the birds flying there. So this word does not translate as the “heavens” where God resides but the physical heavens, where birds fly….sometimes translated as “the firmament”…..or the expanse of earth’s atmosphere. Elijah was transported to another destination and assignment by God in a most spectacular fashion.

And the third reason is that Elijah sent a letter to King Jehoram some time after he was taken from his assignment in that windstorm and his place was taken by Elisha, who does not go through the custmary period of mourning, because if his Master was taken to heaven, he would have to have died in order to go there.
It was a number of years after his being taken in the windstorm, that Elijah is still alive and active as a prophet, this time to the king of Judah.
Because of the wicked course taken by King Jehoram of Judah, Elijah writes him a letter expressing God’s condemnation, which is fulfilled shortly thereafter. (2 Chronicles 21:12-15)

So the evidence is just not there that Elijah went to heaven before Jesus.

Only those taken into the new covenant have that privilege….and it is the apostles who form the foundation of God’s Kingdom in heaven. (Rev 21:14) It was with them that Jesus instituted that new covenant.
The ancients were content with receiving a future resurrection under the rule of that Kingdom (Heb 11:13) …..they will be resurrected to take up important roles in the earthly part of God’s Kingdom no doubt, having received God’s spirit and blessing during their lifetime of faithful service.

 

[Jack]

Did Elijah go to heaven? Is that what is says in 2 Kings 2:11?

There is sound Scriptural reason to believe that Elijah was carried away into the “sky”, not taken to “heaven” at all.

First of all because the Bible plainly says that no one went to heaven before Jesus….
John 3:13….
”…no man has ascended into heaven but the one who descended from heaven, the Son of man.”

….that means that no dead people ever went to heaven before he did. Jews believed that “sheol” was the grave….a place where the dead slept in an unconscious condition. (Eccl 9:5, 10) The same place from which Jesus raised his friend Lazarus, whom he said was “sleeping”. (John 11:11-14)

And no human can go to heaven because it is a spiritual realm in which mere mortals cannot exist. (1 Cor 15:50) Those who will be taken to heaven must of necessity shed their human flesh to take on a spiritual body in order to dwell where God and the angels reside.
This was revealed only after Jesus death and resurrection, with the outpouring of the holy spirit at Pentecost.

Secondly the word in Hebrew where Elijah was taken is “šāmayim”, which means…
heaven, heavens, sky…

1. visible heavens, sky
   1. as abode of the stars
   2. as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc

Genesis ch 1 speaks of the birds flying there. So this word does not translate as the “heavens” where God resides but the physical heavens, where birds fly….sometimes translated as “the firmament”…..or the expanse of earth’s atmosphere. Elijah was transported to another destination and assignment by God in a most spectacular fashion.

And the third reason is that Elijah sent a letter to King Jehoram some time after he was taken from his assignment in that windstorm and his place was taken by Elisha, who does not go through the custmary period of mourning, because if his Master was taken to heaven, he would have to have died in order to go there.
It was a number of years after his being taken in the windstorm, that Elijah is still alive and active as a prophet, this time to the king of Judah.
Because of the wicked course taken by King Jehoram of Judah, Elijah writes him a letter expressing God’s condemnation, which is fulfilled shortly thereafter. (2 Chronicles 21:12-15)

So the evidence is just not there that Elijah went to heaven before Jesus.

Only those taken into the new covenant have that privilege….and it is the apostles who form the foundation of God’s Kingdom in heaven. (Rev 21:14) It was with them that Jesus instituted that new covenant.
The ancients were content with receiving a future resurrection under the rule of that Kingdom (Heb 11:13) …..they will be resurrected to take up important roles in the earthly part of God’s Kingdom no doubt, having received God’s spirit and blessing during their lifetime of faithful service.

Poor Aunty!

Revelation 20:10
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

 

[TrevorHL]

Greetings Aunty Jane,

I agree with much of what you say, but I noticed that you added in a strong and authoritative manner some of the unique JW teachings in the process and I disagree with these. Some of these are off topic, but some have some bearing on this subject.

”For the Son of man is to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will repay each one according to his behavior. 28 Truly I say to you that there are some of those standing here who will not taste death at all until first they see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom.”

You quote here from the NWT and this has the word "coming", in the phrase "coming in his Kingdom", but then you quote from Peter's comments on this incident, and instead of using the word "coming" the NWT has "presence", because JWs do not believe that Jesus will actually come.

”No, it was not by following artfully contrived false stories that we made known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather, we were eyewitnesses of his magnificence. 17 For he received from God the Father honor and glory when words such as these were conveyed to him by the magnificent glory: “This is my Son, my beloved, whom I myself have approved.” 18 Yes, these words we heard coming from heaven while we were with him in the holy mountain.” (2 Peter 1:16-18)

2 Peter 1:16–18 (KJV): 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

The same JW beliefs are reflected and introduced when you discuss Acts chapter 1:

The heavenly nature of the Kingdom was something to be revealed in God’s due time

But the JWs deny that Jesus will return from heaven. Even the NWT of the following passages clearly teach that Jesus will return and will no longer be in heaven:

Acts 1:10–11 (KJV): 10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Acts 1:10-11 (NWT 2013) 10 And as they were gazing into the sky while he was on his way, suddenly two men in white* garments stood beside them 11 and said: “Men of Galʹi·lee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into the sky will come in the same manner as you have seen him going into the sky.”

Acts 3:19–21 (KJV): 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

Acts 3:19-21 (NWT): 19 “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out,s so that seasons of refreshing may come from Jehovah himself 20 and he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus. 21 Heaven must hold this one within itself until the times of restoration of all things of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old.

The ancients were content with receiving a future resurrection under the rule of that Kingdom (Heb 11:13) …..they will be resurrected to take up important roles in the earthly part of God’s Kingdom no doubt, having received God’s spirit and blessing during their lifetime of faithful service.

This comment is based upon the JW concept, that none of the ancients who lived before the sacrifice of Christ will be among the 144,000 in heaven. Only a select number, such as the Apostles and the GB will be in heaven, while such faithful as Abraham, David, Isaiah and Daniel will be in a lesser role, and they will be only upon the earth.

Now I have not fully worked out your view or the "official" JW view of the Transfiguration and what it depicts and were Moses and Elijah actually there. I could be wrong in my view, but I believe that Moses and Elijah were actually there, and at that time, with the Apostles, but that it was an enactment of what the Kingdom would be like, with Jesus, Moses and Elijah ALL in glory and ALL in the one place, the Kingdom of God on earth. The JWs believe that Jesus will be in heaven, while Moses and Elijah will be on the earth, and as such they seem to in effect the deny the vision.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[St. SteVen]

It was no vision, it really happened. Moses and Elijah saw the face of the Lord that day.

I agree.
This has all the markings of an actual event. Granted, it was visually spectacular.
If the word "vision" didn't appear in some early translations, no one would make that claim.
However, there is the issue of "dead" individuals appearing. Some have a major issue with that.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Not only translation but also failing to understand what had taken place through the eyes of Jesus’ Jewish disciples.
As Jews, the apostles knew the condition of the dead…that they were not alive somewhere (either in heaven or hell) because this was not taught to them at all. (Eccl 9:5, 10)

What do you make of this?

Luke 20:37-39 NIV
But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise,
for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’[a]
38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”
39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!”

Furthermore...
Why would Jesus give such a misleading teaching in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus?
Lazarus is being comforted in the bosom of Abraham while the Rich Man is in torment.
The Rich Man has a lengthy discussion with Abraham. Even the Great Chasm is discussed.

John 5:24 NIV
“Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life
and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Moses went up Mt Nebo at the time of his death (Deu 34).

Elijah went to Jericho, and then crossed over Jordan before ascending to heaven (2Ki 2). Should one look at a map, that puts him pretty close to... Mt Nebo.

I have a sneaking suspicion I know on exactly which "high mountain" the Transfiguration happened.

View attachment 50779

Wow. Very interesting observation.
What do you suppose might have happened there?
Were they perhaps waiting for Jesus to arrive?
Conjecture, I know.

[

 

[St. SteVen]

Not only translation but also failing to understand what had taken place through the eyes of Jesus’ Jewish disciples.
As Jews, the apostles knew the condition of the dead…that they were not alive somewhere (either in heaven or hell) because this was not taught to them at all. (Eccl 9:5, 10)

Curious that you included verse 10 in your response.
Which includes a reference to "the realm of the dead". (where you are going)

Eccl 9:10
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going,
there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

[