# alone by themselves

The author uses the reflexive pronoun "themselves" here to emphasize that they were alone and that only Jesus, Peter, James, and John went up the mountain. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rpronouns]])

# he was transfigured before them

When they looked at him, his appearance was different from what it had been.

# he was transfigured

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "his appearance had changed" or "he appeared very different" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# before them

"in front of them" or "so they could clearly him"