Which Transfiguration Mount was It?

Which Transfiguration Mount did I visit in Israel?

Since no one is sure on which mountain Jesus visited with Moses and Elijah, who knows?

But, we did see the two best choices: one because of tradition, the other because of description.

Very different, but both very interesting.

(Transfiguration, by the way, means “a marked change in form, or appearance that glorifies or exalts.”)

What was the Mount of Transfiguration?

At the end of Matthew 16, Jesus and his disciples were in Caesarea Philippi (modern day Banias).

After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.  And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him.  And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 

 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 

 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.  But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”  And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

Matthew 17:1-8 ESV

Note: it took them six days to walk to the top of the high mountain.

Luke 9 tells a similar story, but places the group in Bethsaida–which is inland northeast of the Sea of Galilee (in the lower Golan Heights).

In this gospel version, Jesus taught his disciples and then, “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.” (Luke 9:28-36; ESV) 

Was the real one on Mt. Tabor?

The first prospect we visited was Mount Tabor, just east of the Jezreel Valley–where Armaggedon is expected.

We’d been to Meggido, ate lunch in Nazareth, and then proceeded down the road about half-an-hour.

Then we began to climb a steep hill/low mountain (depending on what part of the world you’re from).

As we wound higher, a song from children’s choir came back and I began to hum: Three Tents.

After parking the van, we walked down a lovely walkway to the church.

The beautiful church, designed circa 1915 by Antonio Barluzzi, sits on the site of a 5th century Byzantine church.

It watches over the countryside from a heady 1900 foot elevation with views all around.

Jesus and three disciples easily could have hiked up it in two days. (Bethsaida to Mt. Tabor is 33 miles on mostly flat land until you reach the mountain).

We could see the Sea of Galilee for the first time from the top. Until I traveled to Israel, I thought Jesus spent most of his time–when not in Jerusalem–around the Sea of Galilee.

But that turned out not to be true.

The Son of God traveled to the Mediterranean at Sidon and Tyre, but he also visited all the villages in North Galilee.

Which brings us to what I’ve come to think was the real Mount of Transfiguration: Mount Hermon.

Why not the highest mountain in the area?

Sometimes you just have to get out a map and go climbing!

Mount Hermon is significantly higher than Mt. Tabor.

The sweeping view from its top outshone Mt. Tabor’s. We could see all the way to the coastal mountains. Had we been allowed higher, we could have looked over the side into Lebanon and Syria as well.

In terms of being closer to heaven, well, Mount Hermon makes the most sense.

Distance, of course, wouldn’t have meant anything to Elijah and Moses.

It probably would have taken the men several days to walk from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi, and then a good six days to climb the high mountain top. (Mt. Hermon stands at 9200 feet.)

(It’s 29 miles from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi, and then 13 miles straight up to Mount Hermon).

Next stop off the mountain?

Peter, James, and John suggested they stay on top of the Transfiguration Mount and build tents to house Jesus, Elijah, and Moses.

Biblical teaching suggests the prophet of the Law (Moses) and the prophet himself (Elijah) met with God in person (Jesus) on that mountain that day to encourage him.

Jerusalem loomed.

He could not stay.

Down they went into the valleys below–where at the first stop the rest of the disciples struggled to cast out a demon.

Jesus finished the task, the boy was healed into his right mind, and Jesus continued preaching and healing.

All the way to his crucifixion in Jerusalem.

Does it matter where Jesus’ transfiguration took place?

Other than to mark another spot where Biblical events really happened, no.

Still, standing on top of Mt. Hermon, it felt like we really were looking out over the world.

And glory felt close at hand.

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