Luke 9:18-42

Christian Standard Bible

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

¹⁸ While he was praying in private^(A) and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

¹⁹ They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.”^[a](B)

²⁰ “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”^(C)

His Death and Resurrection Predicted

²¹ But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one,^{(D) 22} saying,^(E) “It is necessary that the Son of Man^(F) suffer many things^(G) and be rejected^(H) by the elders, chief priests, and scribes,^(I) be killed, and be raised the third day.”^(J)

Take Up Your Cross

²³ Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after^[b] me, let him deny himself,^(K) take up his cross daily,^[c] and follow me.^{(L) 24} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.^{(M) 25} For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself?^{(N) 26} For whoever is ashamed of me and my words,^(O) the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory^(P) and that of the Father and the holy angels.^{(Q) 27} Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death^(R) until they see the kingdom of God.”^(S)

The Transfiguration

²⁸ About eight days after this conversation,^(T) he took along Peter, John, and James^(U) and went up on the mountain to pray.^{(V) 29} As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed,^(W) and his clothes became dazzling white.^{(X) 30} Suddenly, two men were talking with him—Moses and Elijah. ³¹ They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

³² Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep,^[d](Y) and when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. ³³ As the two men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master,^(Z) it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he was saying.^(AA)

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed^(AB) them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then a voice came from the cloud,^(AC) saying, “This is my Son,^(AD) the Chosen One;^[e](AE) listen to him!” ^(AF)

³⁶ After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept silent, and at that time told no one what they had seen.

The Power of Jesus over a Demon

³⁷ The next day,^(AG) when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. ³⁸ Just then a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, because he’s my only child.^{(AH) 39} A spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; severely bruising him, it scarcely ever leaves him. ⁴⁰ I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”^(AI)

⁴¹ Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and perverse^[f] generation,^(AJ) how long will I be with you and put up with you?^(AK) Bring your son here.”

⁴² As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy,^(AL) and gave him back to his father.^(AM)