Jesus took Peter, James and John apart to a high mountain. He was transfigured before them and his face shone like the sun and his garment became white as light. There appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus about his departure. Peter and the other disciples were heavy with sleep though awake enough to see his glory and the two persons. Peter said, "Lord it is well that we are here, let us build three booths, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." As he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them and they were afraid.
A voice was heard which said,"This is my beloved son with whom I am pleased, listen to him." The disciples fell on their faces. Jesus asked them to rise, and not to fear. Jesus commanded them to tell no one what they had seen until the son of man was raised from the dead. They asked him why the scribes said that Elijah must first come to restore all things. Jesus told them that Elijah had already come, but they did not know him and so they did to him whatever they pleased. In the same way, he said, the son of man would suffer in their hands. The disciples understood that he was referring to John the Baptist.