His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
Parallel translations
- KJV And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
- BSB His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them.
- NKJV His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
- NASB and His garments became radiant and exceedingly white, as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
- NLT and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus' clothing becomes dazzlingly white, beyond any earthly whitening. His appearance radiates heavenly glory.
Overview
The supernatural whiteness signifies divine glory and holiness, recalling visions of God and heavenly beings in Scripture. Unlike Moses, whose face reflected borrowed glory, Jesus' radiance shines from within, testifying to his own deity. The scene gives the disciples a glimpse of the glory that is rightfully his and will be fully revealed at his return.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Matt 28:3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow.
- Dan 7:9I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
- Isa 1:18“Come now, and let us reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Rev 7:14I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood.
- Mal 3:2–3“But who can endure the day of his coming? And who will stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap;
- Ps 51:7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
- Ps 68:14When the Almighty scattered kings in her, it snowed on Zalmon.
- Ps 104:1–2Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.
- Rev 7:9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could count, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.
- Acts 10:30Cornelius said, “Four days ago, I was fasting until this hour, and at the ninth hour, I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
- Rev 19:18that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, and small and great.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 9:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.