Jesus did many miracles for others, such as turning water into wine and healing the sick, but in Mark 9:1–13 He Himself is miraculously transformed before the eyes of select disciples. Upon a high mountain Jesus’ countenance shone like the sun and His clothes dazzled in white. What an incredible moment of Jesus’ ministry! But why does Jesus do this? Why does He transfigure before Peter, James, and John? The predominant answer is found in connecting this specific narrative to the one just before it.

Before the transfiguration, Jesus predicts His suffering, death, and resurrection (Mark 8:31). Peter pulls Jesus aside to rebuke such “nonsense,” but Jesus counter rebukes Peter and tells him to get his satanic ways behind Him. Then Jesus calls the crowd along with the disciples to teach them a vital lesson in following Him. Jesus declares His disciples must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. His disciples must be ready to follow Him even unto death.

The transfiguration is understood by reading it with its previous narrative, which speaks of suffering, death and resurrection. Interpreted together, these two narratives affirm Jesus’ future glory will follow His predicted suffering. Therefore, disciples are assured to follow Jesus through suffering because of His transfiguration glory to come.

Narratives can be more challenging to interpret than New Testament letters. Letters are often direct telling the recipients what to think and do. While narratives are indirect showing actions that require additional concrete processing. What the transfiguration can teach us is to look at the narrative just before and after the one you are studying. Narratives are like movies, they are made up of many scenes cut and placed together to tell a bigger story.

When reading the Gospel, or OT narratives, look at how the narratives connect, support, and interpret one another. This skill will take time to develop. But it will help us to connect dots we haven’t yet seen on our own. Here are a few examples.

Babel, Judges, and Goliath

The tower of Babel shows Yahweh scattering people all over the earth in judgment (Genesis 11). However, in Genesis 12 Yahweh calls Abram and promises all peoples on earth will be blessed through Him. Yahweh scattered the world, nevertheless He still had a plan to rescue it.

The book of Judges illustrates the stories of twelve judges God used to save His people Israel. As you progress through the book, each judge is pictured as a little different than the previous one. Yahweh begins with honorable Othniel, follows with lame armed Ehud, then farmer Shamgar, female Deborah and foreign Jael, weak and timid Gideon, a few minor judges, daughter sacrificing Jephthah, a few more minor judges, and finally lustful Samson. From Othniel to Samson, Yahweh demonstrates His incredible ability to save through increasingly broken vessels. What does this demonstrate? Salvation is of the Lord and Him alone.

In 1 Samuel 17 young David rises up to slay the mighty Goliath. The previous chapter tells us something highly important. Before slaying Goliath, the Spirit of Yahweh came powerfully upon David. As we watch David fight larger than life Goliath, chapter 16 ensures we see this with proper eyes. David’s victory is a demonstration of the work of God’s Spirit.

Narratives are a delight to read together. Take time to see how the different scenes are placed together to tell a bigger story—the story of God’s grace through Jesus Christ.

Try It Yourself

Read Mark 4:35–5:43. What do these multiple narratives do together that they do not do alone? Why do you think Mark placed these miracles side by side in his gospel? And how do these narratives further support Mark’s portrait of Jesus from 1:1–4:34? God’s Word is so much fun!