Mark 9:3-6 - Moses and Elijah

9:3

As He was transfigured, Jesus’ clothes became an intense white, a more intense white than had ever been seen on earth. Even in those days, bleaching was used to remove stains in clothes, and whiteness was associated with heavenly beings.

9:4

Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus. Elijah had not actually died, but had been taken up to heaven (2 Kings 2:11), which is consistent with Malachi talking about the return of Elijah. Moses was buried, so had died in the normal way. Moses and Elijah are taken to represent the Law and the Prophets, the two main pillars of the Old Testament. Deut 18:15-19 speaks of the coming of a prophet like Moses. This is taken as showing that Jesus is the fulfilment of the Old Testament prophecies, showing that Jesus is the one that Moses and Elijah were pointing forward to.

9:5,6

While Mark tends to omit bits that might tend people to “worship” Peter, he is perfectly happy to put in those parts that highlight Peter’s failings. All this is consistent with the view that Peter was a key source for Mark. Peter wanted to erect three shelters, one for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. Quite what the they were meant to do with these shelters isn’t clear, but Mark then states that Peter did not know what he was talking about. It was a response of fear, ie Peter felt he had to say something, and wanted to keep on the right side of the three of them!