Peter had expressed the faith of the twelve. Yet the disciples were still far from understanding Christ's mission. The opposition and misrepresentation of the priests and rulers, while it could not turn them away from Christ, still caused them great perplexity. They did not see their way clearly. The influence of their early training, the teaching of the rabbis, the power of tradition, still intercepted their view of truth. From time to time precious rays of light from Jesus shone upon them, yet often they were like men groping among shadows. But on this day, before they were brought face to face with the great trial of their faith, the Holy Spirit rested upon them in power. For a little time their eyes were turned away from "the things which are seen," to behold "the things which are not seen." 2 Cor. 4:18. Beneath the guise of humanity they discerned the glory of the Son of God.

Peter havde givet udtryk for de tolvs tro. Dog var disciplene stadig langt fra at fatte, hvori Kristi opgave bestod. Præsternes og de skriftkloges modstand og forvanskning voldte dem stadig store vanskeligheder, skønt den ikke kunne få dem til at vende sig fra Kristus. De kunne ikke se vejen klart for sig. Påvirkningen af deres barndoms undervisning, de skriftkloges lære og overleveringernes magt virkede stadig hindrende på deres opfattelse af sandheden. Fra tid til anden strålede Jesu vidunderlige lys over dem, men tit var de som mennesker, der famler sig frem blandt skygger. Men på denne dag, før de var stillet ansigt til ansigt med den store prøvelse for deres tro, hvilede Helligånden over dem med kraft. For en kort stund var deres blik vendt bort fra "de synlige ting" for at skue "de usynlige". 2Kor. 4,18. Trods menneskeskikkelsen skimtede de Guds Søns herlighed.