^9:29As⁹⁸ he was praying,⁹⁹ the appearance of his face was transformed,¹⁰⁰ and his clothes became very bright, a brilliant white.¹⁰¹^9:30Then¹⁰² two men, Moses and Elijah,¹⁰³ began talking with him.¹⁰⁴^9:31They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke about his departure¹⁰⁵ that he was about to carry out¹⁰⁶ at Jerusalem.¹⁰⁷

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Footnotes

98 Grk “And as.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
99 Here the preposition ἐν (en) plus the dative articular aorist infinitive has been translated as a temporal clause ( ).
100 Or “the appearance of his face became different.” In 1st century Judaism and in the NT, there was the belief that the righteous get new, glorified bodies in order to enter heaven (1 Cor 15:42–49; 2 Cor 5:1–10). This transformation means the righteous will share the glory of God. One recalls the way Moses shared the Lord’s glory after his visit to the mountain in Exod 34. So the disciples saw the appearance of his face transformed, and they were getting a sneak preview of the great glory that Jesus would have (only his glory is more inherent to him as one who shares in the rule of the kingdom).
101 Or “became bright as a flash of lightning” (cf. ἐξαστράπτω); or “became brilliant as light” (cf. λευκός 1).
102 Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis ( 1).
103 Commentators and scholars discuss why Moses and Elijah are present. The most likely explanation is that Moses represents the prophetic office (Acts 3:18–22) and Elijah pictures the presence of the last days (Mal 4:5–6), the prophet of the eschaton (the end times).
104 Grk “two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah.” The relative clause has been simplified to an appositive and transposed in keeping with contemporary English style.
105 Grk “his exodus,” which refers to Jesus’ death in Jerusalem and journey back to glory. Here is the first lesson that the disciples must learn. The wondrous rule comes only after suffering.
106 Or “accomplish,” “bring to completion.”
107 For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men were talking with him—Moses and Elijah. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

NLTNew Living Translation

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly, two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared and began talking with Jesus. They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face became different, and his clothing became white, gleaming like lightning. And behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and were speaking about his departure which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.

KJV 1900King James Version

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

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