Luke 9:28-36
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
28 (A)About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.[a] 29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,[b] 31 [c](B)who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory[d] and the two men standing with him.(C) 33 As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents,[e] one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. 34 [f]While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 35 [g](D)Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” 36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time[h] tell anyone what they had seen.
The Healing of a Boy with a Demon.[i]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 9:28 Up the mountain to pray: the “mountain” is the regular place of prayer in Luke (see Lk 6:12; 22:39–41).
- 9:30 Moses and Elijah: the two figures represent the Old Testament law and the prophets. At the end of this episode, the heavenly voice will identify Jesus as the one to be listened to now (Lk 9:35). See also note on Mk 9:5.
- 9:31 His exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem: Luke identifies the subject of the conversation as the exodus of Jesus, a reference to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that will take place in Jerusalem, the city of destiny (see Lk 9:51). The mention of exodus, however, also calls to mind the Israelite Exodus from Egypt to the promised land.
- 9:32 They saw his glory: the glory that is proper to God is here attributed to Jesus (see Lk 24:26).
- 9:33 Let us make three tents: in a possible allusion to the feast of Tabernacles, Peter may be likening his joy on the occasion of the transfiguration to the joyful celebration of this harvest festival.
- 9:34 Over them: it is not clear whether them refers to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or to the disciples. For the cloud casting its shadow, see note on Mk 9:7.
- 9:35 Like the heavenly voice that identified Jesus at his baptism prior to his undertaking the Galilean ministry (Lk 3:22), so too here before the journey to the city of destiny is begun (Lk 9:51) the heavenly voice again identifies Jesus as Son. Listen to him: the two representatives of Israel of old depart (Lk 9:33) and Jesus is left alone (Lk 9:36) as the teacher whose words must be heeded (see also Acts 3:22).
- 9:36 At that time: i.e., before the resurrection.
- 9:37–43a See note on Mk 9:14–29.
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