The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 6: The Fullness of Time • 209

“The vision of the transfiguration,” added Mentor, “is given to the disciples as a foreshadowing of the resurrection. For a moment the veil is pulled aside, yet almost immediately it closes again. Once more, God affirms his good will toward the One who comes to take up his cross, by enfolding him in his glory.” 85 “And our Lord Jesus showed his disciples his transfigured face before his death, so that when he would rise from the dead and be changed, they would not be in doubt,” explained Ephrem. 86 “What about the two men who appeared with Jesus on the mountain?” asked Cesar. “The Law was represented by Moses and the word of the holy prophets was represented by Elijah,” explained Cyril. “Both foreshadowed the mystery of Christ—Moses by types and shadows, painting it, so to speak, as in a picture. The prophets, with diverse expressions, declared beforehand that in time he would appear in our likeness, and for the salvation and life of us all, would consent to suffer death upon the tree.” 87 “That reminds me of the first verse of Hebrews,” said Joseph, “ Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets . You’re saying that the Law pictures the mystery of salvation while the prophets prophesy the coming death and resurrection of the Messiah?” he asked Cyril, who agreed.

85 See Mark 9:2-13 and Susanne de Deitrich, 185.

86 Paraphrase based on Carmel McCarthy, Saint Ephrem’s Commentary on Tatian’s Diatessaron (Oxford University Press, 1993), 39-40 (XIX, 8).

87 Cyril of Alexandria and R. Payne Smith 1859. Commentary upon the Gospel according to St. Luke (Oxford: Univ. Press), Sermon 51, 228.