Moses, Elijah, and Jesus

²⁸About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, James, and John and went up on a mountain to pray. ²⁹While Jesus was praying, his face began to change. His clothes became shining white. ³⁰Then two men were talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah.* ³¹Moses and Elijah were shining bright too. They were talking with Jesus about his death that would happen in Jerusalem. ³²Peter and the others were asleep. But they woke up and saw the glory of Jesus. They also saw the two men that were standing with Jesus. ³³When Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said, "Master, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (Peter did not know what he was saying.) ³⁴While Peter was saying these things, a cloud came all around them. Peter, James, and John became afraid when the cloud covered them. ³⁵A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, "This is my Son. He is the One I have chosen. Obey him." ³⁶When the voice finished, only Jesus was there. Peter, James, and John said nothing. At that time they told no person about what they had seen.

Jesus Heals a Boy That Has an Evil Spirit

³⁷The next day, Jesus, Peter, James, and John came down from the mountain. A large group of people met Jesus. ³⁸A man in the group shouted to Jesus, "Teacher, please come and look at my son. He is the only child I have. ³⁹An evil spirit [from the devil] comes into my son, and then he shouts. He loses control of himself and he foams from the mouth. The evil spirit continues to hurt him and almost never leaves him. ⁴⁰I begged your followers to make the evil spirit leave my son, but they could not do it." ⁴¹Jesus answered, "You people that live now have no faith. Your lives are all wrong. How long must I be with you and be patient with you?" Then Jesus said to the man, "Bring your son here." ⁴²While the boy was coming, the demon* threw the boy to the ground. The boy lost control of himself. But Jesus gave a strong command to the evil spirit. Then the boy was healed. And Jesus gave the boy back to his father. ⁴³All the people were amazed at the great power of God.

Jesus Talks About His Death

The people were still amazed about all the things Jesus did. Jesus said to his followers, ⁴⁴"Don't forget the things I will tell you now: The Son of Man* will be given into the control of some men." ⁴⁵But the followers did not understand what Jesus meant. The meaning was hidden from them so that they could not understand it. But the followers were afraid to ask Jesus about what he said.

Moses and Elijah Two very important Jewish leaders during the time of the Old Testament. demon(s) Demons are evil spirits from the devil. Son of Man A name Jesus used for himself. In Dan. 7:13-14, this is the name for the Messiah, the one God chose to save his people.