Transfiguration
Full-text of the Appointed Lessons (RSV and NRSV), with instructions for lectors
August 6 – The Transfiguration – RCL
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
The Transfiguration, Aug. 6, 2026
Exodus 34:29-35
After coming down the mountain following his meeting with God, Moses’ face was illuminated by a radiance that reflected the divine glory.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Exodus:
(Lead in with) RSV: When Moses came down…; NRSV: Moses came down…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. And when Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. And afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; and Moses would put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
New Revised Standard Version
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
The Transfiguration, Aug. 6, 2026
2 Peter 1:13-21
Peter shares his eyewitness report of the Transfiguration, declaring the truth of the apostolic message.
A reading (lesson) from the Second Letter of Peter:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: I think it right…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
New Revised Standard Version
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
The Transfiguration, Aug. 6, 2026
Luke 9:28-36
Unique among gospel accounts of the Transfiguration, Luke likens the coming death and resurrection of Jesus to the exodus from Egypt.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Luke:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now about eight days…; NRSV: About eight days…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
New Revised Standard Version
About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
August 6 – The Transfiguration – BCP
ILLUMINATION for the First Lesson
The Transfiguration, Aug. 6, 2026
Exodus 34:29-35
After coming down the mountain following his meeting with God, Moses’ face was illuminated by a radiance that reflected the divine glory.
A reading (lesson) from the Book of Exodus:
(Lead in with) RSV: When Moses came down…; NRSV: Moses came down…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. And when Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. And afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; and Moses would put the veil upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
New Revised Standard Version
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
ILLUMINATION for the Second Lesson
The Transfiguration, Aug. 6, 2026
2 Peter 1:13-21
Peter shares his eyewitness report of the Transfiguration, declaring the truth of the apostolic message.
A reading (lesson) from the Second Letter of Peter:
(Lead in with) RSV and NRSV: I think it right…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc.
Revised Standard Version
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to arouse you by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. And I will see to it that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made more sure. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
New Revised Standard Version
I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to refresh your memory, since I know that my death will come soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain. So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
ILLUMINATION for the Gospel Lesson
The Transfiguration, Aug. 6, 2026
Luke 9:28-36
Unique among gospel accounts of the Transfiguration, Luke likens the coming death and resurrection of Jesus to the exodus from Egypt.
A reading (lesson) from the Gospel according to Luke:
(Lead in with) RSV: Now about eight days…; NRSV: About eight days…
Conclude with The word of the Lord or Here endeth, etc. If read by an ordained person as the eucharistic gospel, conclude with The gospel of the Lord.
Revised Standard Version
Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
New Revised Standard Version
About eight days after Jesus had foretold his death and resurrection, Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”–not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.
Scripture quotations labeled NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
The Living Word | Lectionary Preaching Aids
Preaching Today
Bryan Spinks: He Was Transfigured Before Them
“It is not always clear where we will end up, but we continue with the belief that God is with us, and that God is gently insisting and leading. The journey of faith is like always ascending and descending mountains. And then there are times when all seems clear, and we glimpse something of God and his love and forgiveness, and we want to stop, and stay, and breathe it in.”
Matthew Olver: Transfigured
“When we see our Lord, broken and hanging on the cross, we see the ever-present and ever-true Transfiguration. We see God, suffering with the weight of the world. We see God hidden in the flesh of a human being who is bleeding and will die. The Transfiguration was a gift to the disciples, a revelation of ‘how also his humanity was to be lifted up by heavenly light through his resurrection.’”
Classic Texts
John Chrysostom: In the Very Glory of the Father
“If we will, we also shall behold Christ, not as they then on the mount, but in far greater brightness… Whereas then, to spare his disciples, he revealed only as much of his brightness as they were able to bear; hereafter he shall come in the very glory of the Father.”
William Porcher Dubose: The Exaltation of their Spiritual Selves
“They saw him as the sun and his raiment as the light; they heard words from heaven, claiming him for God and declaring him to man. But their seeing and hearing in this way was only through the exaltation of their own spiritual selves and faculties. Jesus was always so, if their senses could but have perceived it.”
Articles
Cal Lane: The Transfiguration — Let’s Have It Twice
“The question, in light of the Transfiguration, is this: Does all of this point clearly and plainly to Jesus Christ, the Son of God in whom the hopes of the world and the longings of every human heart are brought to peace? If not, then something must change.”
Michael Cover: Reading Luke’s Transfiguration
“In this Tabor colloquy, Jesus stands at the crux between Moses and Elijah, between the horizontal and vertical roads of departure. He is full of light — his death is full of light — and in this light the two prophets behold their figures rightly: their lives, which seemed perhaps full only of frustration and failure, are reconfigured in the uncreated light of Tabor and given meaning beyond their imagining.”
“The heat of his face and his luminous vestments are a truth we should know and feel about ourselves. Grace imputes this scene on all the baptized, signing us as Christ’s own forever, sharers in the divine nature.”
