Chapter 28—The Transfiguration As the time drew near when Jesus was to suffer and die, he was more frequently alone with his disciples. After teaching the people all day, he would repair with his disciples to a retired place and pray and commune with them. He was weary, yet he had no time to rest, for his work on earth was hastening to a close, and he had much to do before the final hour arrived. He had declared to his disciples that he would establish his kingdom so firmly on earth that the gates of hell should not prevail against it. Jesus, in view of his approaching trial, gathered his disciples about him and opened their minds regarding his future humiliation and shameful death at the hands of his persecutors. The impulsive Peter could not for a moment endure the thought, and insisted that it could not be. Jesus solemnly rebuked Peter’s unbelief in suggesting that prophecy would not be fulfilled in the sacrifice of the Son of God. {2SP 324.2}

Eftersom tiden drog nær, da Jesus skulle lide og dø, var han oftere alene med sine disciple. efter at han havde undervist folket hele dagen, gik han med disciplene til et afsides sted og bad og samtalte med dem. Han var træt; men han havde ingen tid til hvile; thi hans værk på jorden skulle snart fuldendes, og han havde meget at udrette, før den sidste time kom. Han erklærede for sine disciple at han ville (325) snart oprette sit rige så fast på jorden, at helvedets porte ikke kan få magt over det. I synet af hans kommende trængsel, samlede han sine disciple omkring ham og åbnede sin fremtidige lidelse og død i sine forfølgeres hænder op for deres sind. Den heftige Peter kunne ikke et øjeblik udholde denne tanke, og han tog Jesus til side, "begyndte at sætte ham i rette og sagde: "Gud bevare dig, Herre. Nej, sådan må det ingenlunde gå dig!" Men han vendte sig og sagde til Peter: "Vig bag mig, Satan! du er mig til forargelse; thi du sanser ikke, hvad Guds er, men kun, hvad menneskers er." (Matt 16,22.23) Således irettesatte Jesus alvorlig Peters vantro, da han foreslog at undgå profetiernes opfyldelse og forhindre Guds Søns offer.