The disciples saw Moses and Elijah alive again and with Jesus in the kingdom of God, and when they descended the mountain they asked Jesus concerning Elijah. The Jews contended that Jesus could not be the Messiah because the prophecies said Elijah would come first. The truth is that Elijah will certainly precede Christ when he comes in glory, but John the Baptist performed the same role in the days of Christ’s suffering. Therefore Jesus countered the Jews’ charge: “... Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist”.
Verse 2
Matthew 17:2XWaiting for responseJesus had declared that some would see him coming in his kingdom before they died (Matthew 16:28)Matthew 16:28XWaiting for response and, six days later, three of his disciples did so, being granted a vision of this glorious event. Peter used this experience to show in a letter that Christ’s future coming is not a myth 2 Peter 1:16.2 Peter 1:16XWaiting for response In this vision of the future, the disciples saw Jesus as he will be - a partaker of the divine nature.