18. One time when Jesus was praying alone, his followers came together there. Jesus asked them, “Who do the people say I am?”
19. They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah. And others say you are one of the prophets from long ago who has come back to life.”
20. Then Jesus asked, “And who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Christ from God.”
21. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone. Then he said,
22. “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the Jewish elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law. The Son of Man will be killed. But after three days he will be raised from death.”
23. Jesus went on to say to all of them, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must say ‘no’ to the things he wants. Every day he must be willing even to die on a cross, and he must follow me.
24. Whoever wants to save his life will lose it. And whoever gives his life for me will save it.
25. It is worth nothing for a man to have the whole world, if he himself is destroyed or lost.
26. If anyone is ashamed of me and my teaching, then I will be ashamed of him. I will be ashamed of him at the time I come with my glory and with the glory of the Father and the holy angels.
27. I tell you the truth. Some of you people standing here will see the kingdom of God before you die.”
28. About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, James, and John and went up on a mountain to pray.
29. While Jesus was praying, his face was changed, and his clothes became shining white.
30. Then two men were talking with Jesus. The men were Moses and Elijah.
31. They appeared in heavenly glory, talking with Jesus about his death which would happen in Jerusalem.
32. Peter and the others were asleep. But they woke up and saw the glory of Jesus. They also saw the two men who were standing with him.
33. When Moses and Elijah were about to leave, Peter said, “Master, it is good that we are here. We will put three tents here—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (Peter did not know what he was saying.)
34. While Peter was saying these things, a cloud came down all around them. Peter, James, and John became afraid when the cloud covered them.
35. A voice came from the cloud. The voice said, “This is my Son. He is the One I have chosen. Obey him.”
36. When the voice finished speaking, only Jesus was there. Peter, James, and John said nothing. At that time they told no one about what they had seen.