And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
Parallel translations
- WEB His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten 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 countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
- Dan 7:9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
- Isa 1:18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: 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 7:14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
- Mal 3:2–3But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
- Ps 51:7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
- Ps 68:14When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.
- Ps 104:1–2Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
- Rev 7:9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
- Acts 10:30And Cornelius 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 ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both 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.