Luke 9:28-56

Christian Standard Bible

The Transfiguration

²⁸ About eight days after this conversation,^(A) he took along Peter, John, and James^(B) and went up on the mountain to pray.^{(C) 29} As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed,^(D) and his clothes became dazzling white.^{(E) 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,^[a](F) 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,^(G) 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.^(H)

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed^(I) them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then a voice came from the cloud,^(J) saying, “This is my Son,^(K) the Chosen One;^[b](L) listen to him!” ^(M)

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,^(N) 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.^{(O) 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.”^(P)

⁴¹ Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and perverse^[c] generation,^(Q) how long will I be with you and put up with you?^(R) 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,^(S) and gave him back to his father.^{(T) 43} And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.^(U)

The Second Prediction of His Death

While everyone was amazed at all the things he was doing,^(V) he told his disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink in:^[d] The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”^(W)

⁴⁵ But they did not understand this statement;^(X) it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it,^(Y) and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Who Is the Greatest?

⁴⁶ An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them.^{(Z) 47} But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts,^[e](AA) took a little child and had him stand next to him. ⁴⁸ He told them, “Whoever welcomes^[f] this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.^(AB) For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”^(AC)

In His Name

⁴⁹ John responded,^(AD) “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,^(AE) and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”^(AF)

⁵⁰ “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”^[g](AG)

The Journey to Jerusalem

⁵¹ When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up,^(AH) he determined^[h](AI) to journey to Jerusalem.^{(AJ) 52} He sent messengers ahead of himself,^(AK) and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans^(AL) to make preparations for him. ⁵³ But they did not welcome him, because he determined to journey to Jerusalem.^{(AM) 54} When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ^[i](AN)

⁵⁵ But he turned and rebuked them,^{[j] 56} and they went to another village.