And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus deliberately takes only Peter, James, and John, not to a public spectacle, but to a solitary place, revealing a desire for intimate communion with them before showing them His glory. This wasn't just about a dazzling display; it was a private, sacred moment, chosen carefully to prepare these three men for the profound challenges and revelations that lay ahead.
And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just six days after Peter's bold confession and Jesus' somber prediction of his suffering, Jesus takes his inner circle—Peter, James, and John—up a mountain apart from the others. This private ascent, timed to follow directly after Jesus' difficult words about the cross, sets the stage for a revelation of divine glory intended to prepare these key disciples for the immense shock and challenge of the coming crucifixion.
Why did Jesus only take Peter, James, and John up the mountain for this incredible event? It wasn't random!
Jesus didn't take all twelve disciples, or even the other nine, for this intimate revelation. He specifically chose Peter, James, and John. This wasn't a mistake or an oversight. These three were Jesus' inner circle. They had already witnessed His power in raising Jairus' daughter (Mark 5:37) and would later witness His agony in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37). This select group was being prepared, given a unique glimpse of Christ's glory to strengthen them for the immense challenges and sufferings that lay ahead. It highlights that God often uses a close-knit group for pivotal moments, preparing them for greater service and endurance.
Jesus led them up a mountain. Why the climb? It wasn't just for the view!
The act of going 'up a high mountain apart' carries significant meaning. Mountains in Scripture are often places of divine encounter and revelation – think of Sinai. Jesus, knowing what was about to happen, led these disciples away from the crowds and the other disciples ('apart'). Luke tells us Jesus 'went up to pray' (Luke 9:28). This was a deliberate move, setting the stage for a powerful spiritual experience. The solitude and elevation created an atmosphere for communion with God and a profound revelation of Christ's divine glory. It was an intentional act to prepare them for His coming suffering by giving them a foretaste of His ultimate glory.
Ask a follow-up
This event, occurring shortly after Jesus' first prediction of his suffering and death, serves as a crucial moment of divine reassurance for Jesus and a glimpse of his future glory for his closest disciples. It prepares them to endure the coming cross by witnessing his heavenly status and splendor.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Ministry in Galilee
Jesus and his disciples are actively ministering, teaching, and performing miracles throughout the region of Galilee. This period is marked by growing crowds and increasing opposition from religious leaders.
c. AD 30-33
Peter's Confession at Caesarea Philippi
Jesus asks his disciples who people say he is, and Peter famously declares him to be the Christ, the Son of the living God. This is a pivotal moment in Jesus' self-understanding and his relationship with his core followers.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus Predicts His Suffering
Immediately following Peter's confession, Jesus begins to teach his disciples that he must suffer and die. This prediction is difficult for them to grasp, especially Peter, who rebukes Jesus.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Takes Three Disciples to a High Mountain
About six or eight days after the prediction of his suffering, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to a secluded, high mountain. The exact location is unknown, though tradition has often pointed to Mount Tabor or Mount Hermon.
c. AD 30-33
The Transfiguration Occurs
On the mountain, Jesus is transformed before the eyes of Peter, James, and John. His face shines like the sun, and his clothes become dazzling white. Moses and Elijah appear and converse with him.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Descends the Mountain
After a divine voice confirms Jesus' identity as God's Son, the cloud departs, and only Jesus is seen. He then leads the disciples down the mountain, instructing them not to tell anyone what they saw until after his resurrection.
This passage describes Moses coming down from Mount Sinai with his face shining after encountering God's glory, a parallel to Jesus' transfiguration which revealed His divine glory.
1 Kings 19:11Elijah encountered God's presence not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a 'still small voice' on a mountain, mirroring how God's voice would speak from a cloud during Jesus' transfiguration.
2 Peter 1:16-18Peter directly references witnessing Jesus' majesty on the 'holy mountain,' confirming the event's significance and its role in strengthening the apostles' faith.
John 1:14This verse speaks of the Word becoming flesh and dwelling among us, and that 'we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,' which directly relates to the disciples witnessing Jesus' divine glory during the transfiguration.
barnesMatthew 17:1: "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,"
Matthew 17:1-9 . See also Mark 9:2-10 ; Luke 9:28-36 . And after six days - That is, six days from the conversation recorded in the last chapter. Luke Luk 9:28 says, about an eight days after. Matthew mentions the six days that intervened between the day of the conversation and the transfiguration. Luke includes both those days, and thus reckons eight. Besides, L…
vincentMatthew 17:1: "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,"
Taketh (παραλαμβάνει)Rev. gives the force of the preposition παρά, taketh with him.Apart (κατ' ἰδίαν)Not said of the mountain, as isolated, but of the disciples; so that they might be alone with him. Compare Mark 9:2, apart by themselves (κατ' ἰδίαν μόνους: lit., apart alone).
Jesus deliberately takes only Peter, James, and John, not to a public spectacle, but to a solitary place, revealing a desire for intimate communion with them before showing them His glory. This wasn't just about a dazzling display; it was a private, sacred moment, chosen carefully to prepare these three men for the profound challenges and revelations that lay ahead.
Just six days after Peter's bold confession and Jesus' somber prediction of his suffering, Jesus takes his inner circle—Peter, James, and John—up a mountain apart from the others. This private ascent, timed to follow directly after Jesus' difficult words about the cross, sets the stage for a revelation of divine glory intended to prepare these key disciples for the immense shock and challenge of the coming crucifixion.
Just six days after Peter's bold confession and Jesus' somber prediction of his suffering, Jesus takes his inner circle—Peter, James, and John—up a mountain apart from the others. This private ascent, timed to follow directly after Jesus' difficult words about the cross, sets the stage for a revelation of divine glory intended to prepare these key disciples for the immense shock and challenge of the coming crucifixion.
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves." — Jesus deliberately takes only Peter, James, and John, not to a public spectacle, but to a solitary place, revealing a desire for intimate communion with them before showing them His glory. This wasn'…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026