How did Peter recognize Moses and Elijah at Jesus' transfiguration?

[Joseph G]

Matthew 17:1-4 NIV

"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."

"Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Matthew 17:1-4 NIV

"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."

"Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Quite possible that Moses and Elijah introduced themselves. Blessings.

 

[prodromos]

Matthew 17:1-4 NIV

"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."

"Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

I suspect that they were enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Moses and Elijah also represent the Law and the Prophets, both of which witness to Christ.

 

[com7fy8]

I think of how at times Jesus was not known to certain people, until their eyes were opened to recognize Him.

So, like podromos says, the Holy Spirit could have them realize they were seeing Moses and Elijah.

 

[BelieveItOarKnot]

Matthew 17:1-4 NIV

"After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus."

"Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”

Talking indicates their identity, i.e. speaking the Words Jesus spoke through them in the past, which is also why at the end of the event they saw Jesus only. There is also correlative significance of them falling on their faces with fear. You'll find this similarly in many events of Divine interactive significance with people, and also correlative significance with Jesus touching them, which brings them out of that fear state (kind of a whole other study related to works of darkness and sleeping as opposed to being awake-works of righteousness, neither of which have to to with physical activities of same)

 

[Joseph G]

Quite possible that Moses and Elijah introduced themselves. Blessings.

Maria, do you mean that they spoke words not actually recorded in Scripture?

They introduced themselves, but of course. Or maybe even Jesus Himself introduced them.

And in concert with the other responses here, their identities were perhaps confirmed in Peter's mind by hearing the Holy Spirit speaking through them - the same Spirit they heard in Jesus.

Zounds!

 

[Stephen3141]

Maybe Jesus addressed them by name.

Why is this a relevant issue?

 

[Joseph G]

Maybe Jesus addressed them by name.

Why is this a relevant issue?

Who says it's an issue? Just a point of curiosity and mutual speculation. *shrug*

 

[Bob Crowley]

I can think of several possiblities, all of which have already been mentioned by other posters.

Maybe Christ addressed Moses and Elijah by name; possibly Moses and Elijah introduced themselves (although I don't see them wandering over and saying "Howdy! I'm Moses and this here is Elijah! You've probably heard of us before?"); or the Holy Spirit enlightened them (infused knowledge) which I think is the most plausible.

The disciples walking to Emmaus had the opposite problem - Christ's identity was hidden from them until He'd said everything He wanted to say, and only then were they allowed to recognise Him.