Though the Gospels do not say so explicitly, it seems that Jesus went up the mountain with Peter, James and John, not in order to manifest his glory but in order to pray. Grammatically, the Gospels express what happened to Jesus in the passive voice, "he was transfigured". This is a common biblical method of asserting that it was God's work. It was Jesus' deep prayer experience and communion with his Father which transfigured him and made him shine with God's glory. As such, the story presents us with a model for what Christian prayer should effect: a transfiguration of our lives through prayer so that we are filled with God's grace and glory. We may ascend the mountain with Jesus and his three close disciples and ask for the grace of deep prayer, prayer which transfigures us.

In offering to build three shelters, Peter's intention was good, but it was somewhat misguided: not all good ideas or good intentions are worth following up or are realistic. Hence the Father calls Peter back to reality: "This is my Beloved Son. Listen to him." We often have to let go of our own good ideas to listen to what Jesus is asking of us.