[1] Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; [2] and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. [3] And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. [4] Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” [5] While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” [6] And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. [7] But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” [8] When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.
[9] Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” [10] And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” [11] Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. [12] But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” [13] Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
When Moses and Elijah appeared, Peter wanted to build each of them a tabernacle, but God the Father said to him and the other disciples, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"
Moses represents the Law, and Elijah represents the Prophets, but God commanded the disciples to listen to Jesus and do what He says [because the law and the prophets were until John, and Jesus came to fulfill them (Luke 16:16; Matthew 5:17). Paul said Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4)]. Because of faith in Christ, there is no more law. Disciples of Jesus are to obey him, not the Law and the prophets. Jesus said these things and God was very pleased with everything he said and did.
The scribes believed that Elijah was going to return because the prophet Malachi predicted that he would:
Malachi 4:5–6 (NKJV): 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet
Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
6 And he will turn
The hearts of the fathers to the children,
And the hearts of the children to their fathers,
Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
When Peter, James, and John asked Jesus about this, he said that Elijah has already returned but they did not realize it, and caused him to suffer at their hands, just as he would. Then the disciples realized that John the Baptist was the Elijah to come (Matthew 11:14).
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