Big Idea: The two primary thrusts in this passage are Christology and discipleship. First, this is an epiphany story in which God reveals the preexistent glory of his Son as the majestic Lord and eschatological Moses. Second, the disciples continue to struggle and yet begin to experience a dawning comprehension.

Understanding the Text

This event is intimately connected with what has preceded. Most of the Jewish people have only rumors, no realization of the identity of Jesus (8:28), while the disciples slowly begin to glimpse the reality, confessing Jesus as Messiah (8:29–30). Yet when Jesus clarifies that his messianic office involves him as the Suffering Servant, they vociferously object (8:31–33), leading Jesus to clarify the true meaning of discipleship as suffering and sacrifice (8:…