Question on the mountain

Jesus took Peter, James and John on the mountain where Jesus was transformed; Peter blurted out, Master, this is wonderful, we will build three shrines one for You and Moses and Elijah.... how did Peter know who Moses and Elijah were?
 
Jesus took Peter, James and John on the mountain where Jesus was transformed; Peter blurted out, Master, this is wonderful, we will build three shrines one for You and Moses and Elijah.... how did Peter know who Moses and Elijah were?

A very good question.

The Bible doesn't tell us how Peter knew it was Moses and Elijah and this topic has caused many discussions between Christians.

Here are a few theories.

1. A key passage, "And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him". Perhaps, for the sake of the people there at the time, people's names may have been used in the conversations.

2. Matthew16: 15-17 teaches us that Peter got it right and identified who Jesus was, while others didn't. It seems that Peter got help from the Father. It may have been the Father who revealed it to him! So perhaps the Father revealed it to him through the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

3. Some Scholars mostly appeal to the idea of tradition. It was fashionable to say that Moses and Elijah appeared as representatives of the Law and the Prophets.

4. If God caused Moses and Elijah to appear, he also caused Peter to know who they were. No introductions were needed!

God bless.
 
First, Matthew 16 doesn't say the others didn't know. It merely states Peter was the one who responded. I think this verse demonstrates the saved will know each other.
Second, I believe there is a place in Scripture that says the saints will recognize each other in heaven - even those who did not meet while still on Earth. I'll try to find it.
 
Aside from Matthew 16, this is what I have found:
1 cor 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I know in part that there have been people helping me thru prayer, but in heaven I will know in full. "Knowing in full"... wouldn't that mean I know who they are evetho I have never met them? "Knowing in full"... wouldn't that mean I would recognize them, too?

Matthew 22:30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven."

Surely the angels in heaven recognize us on Earth, why should it be any different in heaven?

I think Matthew is the most clear verse to show we will know even those we have never met before.
 
First, Matthew 16 doesn't say the others didn't know. It merely states Peter was the one who responded. I think this verse demonstrates the saved will know each other.
Second, I believe there is a place in Scripture that says the saints will recognize each other in heaven - even those who did not meet while still on Earth. I'll try to find it.

You can only recognize someone you have already seen. But Peter had not yet seen them before that day, so how would he recognize someone he has never laid eyes on before?
 
Maybe God provided him with the knowledge? Like prophecy? I don't know. Just a guess. Lol.
I wrote a paper on Peter and Jesus. Got a 78 because I talked about Jesus. But I don't care.
And I talked about the transformation of Jesus.
 
You can only recognize someone you have already seen. But Peter had not yet seen them before that day, so how would he recognize someone he has never laid eyes on before?

You are thinking using human reason. There are a lot of things that are not possible for us as mere human beings (like not being able to recognize someone you've never met). But with God all things are possible. Whether by revelation, or the union of our spirits, it is by God's design we will recognize our brothers and sisters in Christ.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

We know in part now, by revelation, parable, as a shadow, etc. But in heaven we will see clearly and know fully.

"For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality." (Colossians 2:17)
 
Jesus took Peter, James and John on the mountain where Jesus was transformed; Peter blurted out, Master, this is wonderful, we will build three shrines one for You and Moses and Elijah.... how did Peter know who Moses and Elijah were?

Hi Bill,

My suggestion is going to be a little more mundane. Who knows. perhaps it may be one of those "DUH" moments :)

The passages says:-

Mt 17:4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

The word here translated as "answered" is the word "apokrinomai"

(From Strong's)
611 apokrinomai ap-ok-ree’-nom-ahee
from 575 and krino; TDNT-3:944,*; v
AV-answer 250; 250
1) to give an answer to a question proposed, to answer
2) to begin to speak, but always where something has preceded (either said or done) to which the remarks refer

The indication is Peter was responding to something Jesus said or did. Probably something like "My friends, I'd like to introduce you to Moses and Elijah!" ;) After all we know that JESUS knew who they were.

God Bless,
Misty
 
You can only recognize someone you have already seen. But Peter had not yet seen them before that day, so how would he recognize someone he has never laid eyes on before?

Not so my good friend. JUST THINK!

J. Vernon Magee writes in one of his teaching commentaries about this exact thing. He said that he and his wife were going to a city way back in the hills of West Virginia and he stopped to get some gas. He said to the attendandt, "Fill er up please".

As he pideled around the man kept watching him and finanily he asked the great teacher................................
"You are Dr. Magee aren't you"?

Dr. Magee said to him....."yes I am but I have never been here before in my life. How in the world did you know who I was".

The man said......"It is too far to go anywhere up here in these mountains, so me and the wife listen to your radio program every night and WHEN I HEARD YOUR VOICE, I KNEW IT WAS YOU".

Just as James tells us in the Bible............"Our tongue will always give us away".
 
Aside from Matthew 16, this is what I have found:
1 cor 13:12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I know in part that there have been people helping me thru prayer, but in heaven I will know in full. "Knowing in full"... wouldn't that mean I know who they are evetho I have never met them? "Knowing in full"... wouldn't that mean I would recognize them, too?

Matthew 22:30 "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven."

Surely the angels in heaven recognize us on Earth, why should it be any different in heaven?

I think Matthew is the most clear verse to show we will know even those we have never met before.

I agree with you sister! How did the disciples know that it was Elijah and Moses? It seems that they just knew. This shows us that we will know each other when we get to heaven. After all, do we think we’ll be more dumb in heaven than we are on earth?
 
Hi Bill,

My suggestion is going to be a little more mundane. Who knows. perhaps it may be one of those "DUH" moments :)

The passages says:-



The word here translated as "answered" is the word "apokrinomai"



The indication is Peter was responding to something Jesus said or did. Probably something like "My friends, I'd like to introduce you to Moses and Elijah!" ;) After all we know that JESUS knew who they were.

God Bless,
Misty

That's interesting. A plausible theory, but not definite.
Mark 9: 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
It looks to me as tho Peter was confused or startled by the whole event and Peter, out of his discomfort, was joining in the conversation, rather than answering a question.
 
Why is it so hard to consider the possibility that in heaven we may recognized people we have never physically met while on Earth? I expect to know the people who prayed for me and be happy when I see them even tho I don't even have a clue as to who they are now.
 
I agree with you sister! How did the disciples know that it was Elijah and Moses? It seems that they just knew. This shows us that we will know each other when we get to heaven. After all, do we think we’ll be more dumb in heaven than we are on earth?

Thank you. You made me think of something else. We have never met, yet I feel certian I will recongnize you instantly in heaven. Why? Because you called me "sister" If we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ, then we are family. We are not strangers. We are adopted children of God. I will recognize my heavenly family just as easily as I recognize my Earthly family.
 
Thank you. You made me think of something else. We have never met, yet I feel certian I will recongnize you instantly in heaven. Why? Because you called me "sister" If we are truly brothers and sisters in Christ, then we are family. We are not strangers. We are adopted children of God. I will recognize my heavenly family just as easily as I recognize my Earthly family.

That my dear is the Holy Spirit that works in the hearts of believers to make them a "kindred spirit".

God bless you and keep you. You gave the perfect answer!

I have never met my great great great grand father but I am named after him. I am like you because I believe when I get to heaven, if I do not know him, I am positive he will know me. That makes me feel good and in a way.......isn't that what heaven really is?
 
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