Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 86:2 (Fall 2024)
Article: Jesus Was Found Alone: Luke’s Remnant Christology In The Transfiguration Narrative (Luke 9:28–36)
Author: Jeremy D. Otten

WTJ 86:2 (Fall 2024) p. 147

Jesus Was Found Alone: Luke’s Remnant Christology In The Transfiguration Narrative (Luke 9:28–36)

Jeremy D. Otten

Jeremy D. Otten is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven in Belgium, and Research Assistant at the Faculty of Theology and Religion at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

This article argues that the Lukan transfiguration narrative is a critical passage for the development of Luke’s remnant Christology. Not only does the episode mark a high point of Lukan Christology, but it marks the convergence of numerous major OT themes. In addition to the literal appearance of Moses and Elijah, the divine proclamation alone connects Jesus with the prophet like Moses, the Isaianic servant, and the son of David (Luke 9:35; cf. Deut 18:15; Isa 42:1; Ps 2:7), and scholars rightly note that Luke’s redactional decisions in this verse (and the passage overall) amplify these themes. Yet in addition to, and in conjunction with, these important OT themes, this passage also portrays Jesus as the true remnant of Israel, a claim central to Luke’s broader purpose of using remnant theology to establish the continuity and discontinuity of the new people gathered around Jesus with the people of God in the OT. This article first presents a brief overview of remnant theology in Luke-Acts, noting especially Luke’s appropriation of new exodus, Isaianic servant, and son of David motifs in service of this theme. Next, attention is given to the significance of Moses and Elijah’s appearance at the transfiguration, and an argument is made that their own experiences as remnant figures during their respective theophanic encounters on Mount Horeb must be the controlling allusion for our understanding of their presence in this passage (Exod 32:10; 1 Kgs 19:10, 14; cf. Mal 4:4–6). Finally, concluding comments will be made on the broader significance of the remnant concept for Lukan Christology.

The transfiguration account occurs at a critical juncture in the Lukan narrative, drawing a dramatic conclusion to Jesus’ Galilean ministry (4:14–9:50) and anticipating the journey to Jerusalem that is about to be initiated and the events that will take place there (v. 31; cf. v. 51). More

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