Myśl teologiczna przedsynoptycznych i synoptycznych przekazów o Przemienieniu Pańskim

Abstract

A literary and theological analysis of the synoptic descriptions of the Transfiguration makes it possible to distinguish two sources for those descriptions. The original source is found in Luke’s account of the Transfiguration. We arrive at it after removing from the description the material shared by the three Synoptical Evangelists. That material includes Peter’s proposal to build tents, the appearance of a cloud, and the voice from the cloud. In Luke’s text this material is included in the verses 33b-35. The leading thought in the original account of the Transfiguration was to demonstrate the saving role of the sufferings and death of Jesus. Through his suffering and death Jesus will fulfil his mission as the Messiah and will achieve glory. We arrive at the other source by analysing Mark’s account. On the basis of this analysis we conclude that it was Mark who introduced into the account of the Transfiguration all the elements referring to the tradition about Moses. This is the reason why the pre-Mark narration of the Transfiguration contained the following material: the Transfiguration of Jesus, the appearance of Elijah, Peter’s proposal, and the appearance of the cloud. The main thought of the pre-Mark account indicates that there are new people of God gathering around Jesus ‒ an eschatological community of the saved, of Christians. The Synoptical Evangelists basically return to the Christological content in their accounts. Mark shows Jesus as the Son of God, who will demonstrate His saving power mainly trough the glory of the Resurrection; Matthew sees in Jesus the King who, as the incarnate Wisdom of God, gives people the final law of God. It will become the foundation for the realization of the Heavenly Kingdom. Luke presents Jesus as the Divine Saviour. Jesus will demonstrate His redeeming power in the Ascension and, above all, when He comes again to accomplish the ultimate salvation.