Luke 9:18-36
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
18 (A)Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,[a] and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”(B) 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.”[b] 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.
The First Prediction of the Passion. 22 He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”(C)
The Conditions of Discipleship.(D) 23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily[c] and follow me.(E) 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.(F) 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.(G) 27 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
The Transfiguration of Jesus.[d] 28 (H)About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.[e] 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,[f] 31 [g](I)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[h] and the two men standing with him.(J) 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,[i] one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. 34 [j]While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 35 [k](K)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[l] tell anyone what they had seen.
The Healing of a Boy with a Demon.[m]
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 9:18 When Jesus was praying in solitude: see note on Lk 3:21.
- 9:20 The Messiah of God: on the meaning of this title in first-century Palestinian Judaism, see notes on Lk 2:11 and on Mt 16:13–20 and Mk 8:27–30.
- 9:23 Daily: this is a Lucan addition to a saying of Jesus, removing the saying from a context that envisioned the imminent suffering and death of the disciple of Jesus (as does the saying in Mk 8:34–35) to one that focuses on the demands of daily Christian existence.
- 9:28–36 Situated shortly after the first announcement of the passion, death, and resurrection, this scene of Jesus’ transfiguration provides the heavenly confirmation to Jesus’ declaration that his suffering will end in glory (Lk 9:32); see also notes on Mt 17:1–8 and Mk 9:2–8.
- 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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