Bible Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of Matthew 17:3? How could Moses and Elijah talk with Jesus if they were both dead?

Matthew 16:28 Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.

Matthew 17:1-3 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 and behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

Mark 9:1-4 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power." 2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

Luke 9:27-31 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God. 28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Peter, James and John were given a vision of the future kingdom of God in which Jesus was glorified and physically present, along with Moses and Elijah who also appeared in glory.

No one (including Moses and Elijah) could be glorified until:

1. Jesus had given his life in sacrifice for the remission of sin,
2. Jesus returns from heaven to raise the dead and establish the kingdom of God.

Thus we know that this was a vision of the future kingdom of God, thereby fulfilling Jesus’ words – “there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom”. As Jesus himself said specifically in Matthew 17:9 "Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

Moses and Elijah (representing the Law and the prophets) could speak with Jesus about his death, which at that time in the future had been accomplished.

In the same way that Paul was taken into the future to the third heaven, so Jesus was taken into his future kingdom, no doubt to strengthen him to face the coming ordeal of crucifixion.

I hope you find this helpful.

God bless,
Glenn