The answer is: Elijah and Moses

Matthew 17:3

The Transfiguration is one of those fascinating moments in the New Testament that shines a spotlight on Jesus’s divinity while linking Him to towering figures from the past. When we think about the two Old Testament heavyweights—Moses and Elijah—it's essential to grasp why they were chosen to appear alongside Jesus.

Moses represents the Law, symbolizing the Old Covenant between God and His people. He led the Israelites out of Egypt, received the Ten Commandments, and was the ultimate prophet in Jewish tradition. Elijah, on the other hand, embodies the prophets, famous for his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and his miraculous experiences, including being taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot. By bringing them to the mountaintop, Matthew presents Jesus as both the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, bridging the gap between the Old and New Testaments.

Here’s some trivia: Did you know that Jewish tradition holds that Elijah never actually died? Instead, his ascension creates an expectancy for his return, particularly relevant during Passover seders when a cup of wine is set aside for him. So when he appears at the Transfiguration, it’s more than a physical presence; it’s also a nod to Jewish hopes and expectations about God's final plan.

Ultimately, this moment glorifies Jesus, underscoring that He isn’t merely another prophet or teacher but occupies a divine status whose authority transcends to new spiritual understandings while honoring the roots of faith.