Second, how could these disciples walk away from this event and yet, as verse 36 informs us, tell no one what they saw and experienced? The story begins. But on a different note: its always been a mystery to me how the disciples recognized Moses and Elijah. Jesus came to set people free from sin. The father has sought help from Jesus disciples (v. 40), and has surely availed himself of other potential remedies as well. Check out these helpful resources Listen to him! (9:29, 34-35). It is not in vain. As for the transfiguration of Jesus, it represents a turning point in his life: No longer would he continue his ministry in Galilee, his hour had come. While he was praying, Jesus was transformed before the disciples eyes. In the Transfiguration, the earthly Jesus shares for a moment the company of two great and worthy residents of heaven, Moses and Elijah. The temple was constructed on Mount Zion. Used by permission. (and) a cloud came and overshadowed them But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father (v. 42b). Either expression, as Stephen Farris points out in The Lectionary Commentary, could be the loose equivalent of saying about a week later. Yet, as Farris also suggests, in Lukes context the eighth day could be a prefigurement of the resurrection as well. Undoubtedly, they spoke with Jesus of the events in the next few months of Jesus death, resurrection, and probably his ascension into heaven. The ASV, which is also in the public domain due to expired copyrights, was a very good translation, but included many archaic words (hast, shineth, etc. They cannot encourage Jesus to stick with what they dont understand (and would resist if they did understand it). Moses came to set the people of Israel free from slavery in Egypt. In any case, its clear from the Gospel accounts by Matthew, Mark, and Luke that the disciples were terrified at what was happening. Perhaps an analogy to explain this is that to see a bolt of lightning strike the earth a mile away and to hear the rumbling thunder is one experience. I am Yahweh your God (Leviticus 23:43). The first step to such a prayer is stillness and silence, or what should have been Peters response on the mountain. This was a moment they would never forget. That is a natural reaction. Ive seen the Lord! He says something that seems to make no sense: Let us set up tents for you, Moses and Elijah., Why did he say this? How so? And, lo, there appeared to them [473] Moses and Elijah talking with him.4. pierce the gloom of sin and grief; 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Its honestly hard to explain and understand. So his need for prayer may not have been that much different than ours. Luke 9:28-36 These events in Luke 9 take place about six months before the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus prayed to God, and as he prayed, his appearance was changed, his raiment became dazzling white. And then he was joined by none other than Moses and Elijah representing, of course, the Law and the Prophets of the Jewish faith. 29. Listen to him! (9:35). David Oliver-Holder; Luke; Only stories or art can articulate what is beyond measure or experiment or explanation. You wouldve been too. We are told that the appearance of Jesus was as bright as lightning. Now lightning is pretty bright. 29As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling. And if it seems odd to hear God the Father follow up this visual display with advice that has to do with listening and not looking, maybe thats because we, too, are often overly fixated on outward fame and power and glory as the world defines all those things and maybe that gets in the way of our truly listening to what Jesus says about humility and sacrifice and being servants of the lowest of the low in also our societies yet today. But it also reminds us that the way to Easter is through the cross. WebLuke 9:28 And it came to pass, about an eight days after those sayings About a week after he had declared the above things, at, or near to Caesarea Philippi. In the Protestant lectionary, Transfiguration Sunday stands at the juncture between Epiphany and Lent, and as such, offers a glimpse forward to the Easter Season and the Resurrection and Ascension of Christ. Luke 9 is no exception. Christ, the true, the only light, It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. But the disciples seem lost in a fog of cluelessness. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen. Luke 9 is no exception. Marks Gospel says six days, and we are not sure why Luke changes it to eight. Once again, Luke tells us about Jesus praying. It was a thanksgiving celebration. Sun of righteousness, arise, They must be metamorphosed. In other words, long about the time Jesus could use all the support he could get, the disciples are simply unavailable to him in any meaningful way. Luke 9:28-36 - Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary. Christ has transformed more lives than we can count. A few verses later, at 9:51, Luke writes that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem, where all that has been spoken of will take place for him. Its not easy to do. Metamorphosis. The Incarnation of Our Lord and the Transfiguration of Our Lord stand as book-ends or brackets at the beginning and end of the Christmas and Epiphany seasons. They will fail to understand Jesus warning about his betrayal (9:43-45). That Jesus did indeed go on to suffer and die is testament to his true divinity. The apostles are sent to preach and heal. Behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah (v. 30). Matthews Gospel account says that Jesus was, transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light (Matt 17:2). 35B (Dallas: Word Books, 1993), Pervo, Richard I., and Carl, William J. III, Proclamation 2, Epiphany, Series C (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1979), Ringe, Sharon H., Westminster Bible Companion, Luke (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press), Rohr, Richard, The Good News According to Luke: Spiritual Reflections (New York: The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1997), Stein, Robert H., The New American Commentary: Luke (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1992), Tannehill, Robert C., Abingdon New Testament Commentaries: Luke (Nashville: Abingdon, 1996), Copyright 2007, 2010, Richard Niell Donovan, The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up, be killed, and on the third day be raised up, suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up, Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Perhaps someone in this room. Now he selects an inner circle of disciples to go with him, thus signaling the importance of the journey up the mountain. 19-20). 7-9. The Transfiguration is a story with six characters, but none we can, or probably want to, identify with fully. But there is something glorious, something heavenly that awaits them. The clearest example is his prayerful agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. They are not really tracking all of what Jesus is saying, and so when Jesus speaks openly about his impending death, the disciples sometimes say nothing at all (note what happens after Luke 9:27: we fast-forward 8 whole days with no reported reactions whatsoever of the disciples to what Jesus had said). Lets make three tents: one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah, not knowing what he said. Luke starts with the accounts of Mark and Matthew, which list Peter and James and John (Matthew 17:1; Mark 9:2 and 14:33), and changes the order of the names. If the moment wasnt already astonishing, now two great men of God from centuries before appear with Jesus, right in front of the 3 disciples. WebBethsade : Marc 8:22-26 [19] inclut le rcit de la gurison de "l'aveugle de Bethsade" [20]. If there was any question as to who Jesus was, there was no mystery about it now: He is the Christ, the only begotten son of God. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep (v. 32a). See Mark 9:14-29 and Matthew 17:14-20 for parallels. Herod said, John I beheaded, but who is this, about whom I hear such things? He sought to see him (vv. Commentary on Luke 9:28-36 [37-43] The transfiguration of Jesus follows immediately on the scene where Peter confesses Jesus to be the Christ, the Messiah (Luke 9:20). Scripture says they were heavy with sleep butwere fully awake.(9:32) Another way of saying it is that they were in a stupor. 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2. Being exposed to the glory of God is an awesome and even terrifying experience. Biblical writers, attempting to describe Gods glory using human words, portrayed it as like devouring fire (Exodus 24:17). WebLuke 9:28-36, (37-43) Good Morning Our God Pause thought for this Transfiguration Sunday is Transformation we spend a moment contemplating what this word means in our lives how Lukes account tells of the radical revelation of a mountaintop experience which is interrupted by reality. To see Gods glory provokes an intense response. Know this: The closer you walk with God, the brighter your path will be. The voice from the cloud speaks only of Jesusnot of Moses or Elijahand does so only after Moses and Elijah depart. And Terrifying. God speaks of Jesus as his Chosen One, for Jesus has accepted his role. Dont disobey him. We lead busy lives. Now, heres Jesus on Mount Herman. They expect him to conquernot to die. The event happens on a mountain, a place of special revelation. The three dwellings (9:33, NRSV; booths in RSV) recall those used at the Festival of Booths (or Tabernacles), an annual harvest festival. An action-man needs to act! Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail. It is possible to structure a sermon in such a way that it brings the hearer upon the scene, looking around at the various persons present. I write these lines just after hanging up the telephone. There was a young woman in our church several years ago who, whenever she got up to speak or sing, had a certain aura about her. This is more a theological than a geographical statement. Click here to listen to this lesson. WebCommentary, explanation and study verse by verse of Luke 9:28-36 by Matthew Henry's Whole Bible Commentary. Luke 9:28-36 Commentary. Not for nothing are they called Mountaintop Experiences! Luke describes Peter as not knowing what he said (v. 33). The story of Elijahs going to heaven is told at 2 Kings 2:11-12. All that Peter taught and wrote about for more than 3 decades was founded upon eyewitness experiences he and the other apostles had. Go on and at least try to establish an earthly kingdom. With no human or earthly voices available to encourage Jesus, his Father steps in to provide new voices in the conversation. They will not understand Jesus prediction of his death and resurrection (18:31-34). At this Transfiguration, God confirms that the new Moses-like prophet is Jesus, saying, This is my beloved Son. Indeed, by their very demeanor and words, they are actually tugging Jesus another direction! Peter will deny Jesus (22:54-62). A GLIMPSE OF GLORY Luke 9:28-36 From some aspects this was the highest point in our Savior's Though this story in Luke 9 is quite unusual, even strange, it is a story that builds hope in us. 28. 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