καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔλαμψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος, τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς.
In this radiant moment from Matthew 17:2—the Transfiguration of Jesus—we witness one of the most visually and theologically rich scenes in the Gospels. Yet beyond its theological grandeur lies a subtle but profound grammatical feature that shapes our understanding of divine revelation: the passive voice as a vehicle for divine transformation.
The verb μετεμορφώθη, “He was transfigured,” stands at the head of the passage like a door swung open to glory. It is not Jesus who acts upon Himself; rather, something—or Someone—acts upon Him, revealing His inner reality. This use of the passive voice is no accident of grammar, but a deliberate linguistic choice that reflects a core theological truth: divine transformation is not self-initiated, but divinely conferred.
Let us explore how Matthew’s syntax captures the ineffable—the moment when hidden glory becomes visible.
μετεμορφώθη: A Passive That Speaks Volumes
The verse begins with:
> καὶ μετεμορφώθη ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν
> “And He was transfigured before them.”
This is the only time μετεμορφόω (“to transform” or “to transfigure”) appears in the New Testament with reference to Jesus. Its form is especially significant:
– Root: μεταμορφ
– Form: Aorist passive indicative, third person singular
– Literal Translation: “He was transformed”
– Grammatical Notes: The passive voice indicates that the subject undergoes the action rather than performs it
So, we must ask: *who* is doing the transforming? Though unspoken, the implied agent is divine—God the Father acting upon God the Son. This aligns with Pauline usage in Romans 12:2, where believers are called to be “transformed” (μεταμορφοῦσθε)—a process initiated by the Holy Spirit.
Here, the passive voice functions as a theological marker, indicating that what occurs on the mountaintop is not merely a change in appearance, but a revelation of Christ’s true nature—glory veiled now made visible.
ἔλαμψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος
Following the passive transformation comes an active verb that continues the display of divine radiance:
> ἔλαμψε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ὡς ὁ ἥλιος
> “and His face shone like the sun”
– Root: λάμπ
– Form: Aorist active indicative, third person singular
– Literal Translation: “shone”
– Grammatical Notes: The aorist tense suggests a sudden, vivid illumination—a punctiliar burst of light
This verb echoes Exodus 34:29–30, where Moses’ face shines after being in the presence of God. But here, the shining comes not from proximity to God—it issues from within Christ Himself. The comparison to the sun is not merely poetic; it is cosmic. In Greek literature, such brightness often marks divine epiphany.
ἐγένετο: A Verb of Becoming
The final clause reads:
> τὰ δὲ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἐγένετο λευκὰ ὡς τὸ φῶς
> “and His garments became white as light”
Here, ἐγένετο serves as a linking verb, similar to “became” in English. Though it literally means “came to be,” it carries more nuance than a simple equative verb like εἰμί.
Morphology:
– Root: γίν
– Form: Aorist middle indicative, third person singular
– Literal Translation: “came to be,” “became”
– Grammatical Notes: The verb implies a transition into a new state
The garments do not simply appear white—they undergo a transformation. Like the face, they reflect the internal glory now externalized. The phrase ὡς τὸ φῶς (“as the light”) adds intensity: not just “white,” but radiant, pure, and perhaps even ethereal.
This recalls Daniel 7:9 and the Ancient of Days clothed in light, further reinforcing the divine identity of Jesus.
Morphology Table: Key Verbs
| Word | Morphology | Literal Translation | Grammatical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| μετεμορφώθη | V-API-3S (Verb – Aorist Passive Indicative – 3rd Person Singular) | He was transfigured | Passive indicates divine agency |
| ἔλαμψε | V-AAI-3S (Verb – Aorist Active Indicative – 3rd Person Singular) | Shone | Active voice, vivid and instantaneous |
| ἐγένετο | V-2AMI-3S (Verb – Second Aorist Middle Indicative – 3rd Person Singular) | Became | Indicates transformation into new state |
Final Reflection: Echoes of the Aorist
The prominence of the aorist tense in all three verbs—μετεμορφώθη, ἔλαμψε, and ἐγένετο—underscores the punctiliar nature of this divine revelation. This is not a gradual process but a sudden, decisive manifestation of Christ’s glory. The passive μετεμορφώθη sets the stage for the active ἔλαμψε and the transformative ἐγένετο, each a facet of this singular, awe-inspiring event. The grammar invites us to behold a moment outside of ordinary time, a glimpse into the eternal reality of the Son of God.
Matthew does not elaborate on the mechanics of this transformation. He simply records the event, allowing the stark grammar to convey the profound truth: in this moment, the veil is lifted, and the disciples witness the glory that was His before the world began. A vision, brief yet eternal.
