LUK 9:28-36

The Transfiguration

28About eight days after these words, taking Peter, John, and James, he went up the mountain to pray. [9:29] As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered and his clothing became dazzling white. [9:30] And behold, two men were speaking with him — Moses and Elijah — [9:31] who appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to bring to completion at Jerusalem. [9:32] Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep; but staying awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. [9:33] As those men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus: "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" — not knowing what he was saying. [9:34] While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. [9:35] A voice came from the cloud, saying: "This is my Son, my Chosen — listen to him." [9:36] When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and reported to no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

In the world it was spoken into

In the 1st-century Jewish context, mountains were often seen as places of divine encounter, echoing Sinai where Moses received the Law. The appearance of Moses and Elijah would have signaled to Jewish listeners a connection to the Law and the Prophets, affirming Jesus’ continuity with Israel’s sacred history. The term (exodus) would evoke the liberation narrative of Israel, suggesting Jesus’ impending death as a redemptive act. The dazzling white clothing aligns with Jewish apocalyptic imagery, where such radiance signifies heavenly glory and divine presence. Peter’s suggestion to build tents recalls the Feast of Tabernacles, a celebration of God’s presence among His people. The disciples’ heavy sleep reflects a common motif in Jewish apocalyptic literature, where human frailty contrasts with divine revelation. The voice from the cloud echoes the Shekinah, the visible manifestation of God’s glory, reinforcing Jesus’ divine identity. This event would have been understood as a theophany, confirming Jesus’ role as the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

LUK 9:28

KJV: And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
BSB: About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.
Koinōnos: About eight days after these words, taking Peter, John, and James, he went up the mountain to pray.

LUK 9:29

KJV: And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
BSB: And as He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, and His clothes became radiantly white.
Koinōnos: As he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered and his clothing became dazzling white.

LUK 9:30

KJV: And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
BSB: Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus.
Koinōnos: And behold, two men were speaking with him — Moses and Elijah —

LUK 9:31

KJV: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
BSB: They appeared in glory and spoke about His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Koinōnos: who appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to bring to completion at Jerusalem.

LUK 9:32

KJV: But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
BSB: Meanwhile Peter and his companions were overcome by sleep, but when they awoke, they saw Jesusʼ glory and the two men standing with Him.
Koinōnos: Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep; but staying awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

LUK 9:33

KJV: And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
BSB: As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
Koinōnos: As those men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus: "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents — one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" — not knowing what he was saying.

LUK 9:34

KJV: While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
BSB: While Peter was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
Koinōnos: While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

LUK 9:35

KJV: And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
BSB: And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to Him!”
Koinōnos: A voice came from the cloud, saying: "This is my Son, my Chosen — listen to him.

LUK 9:36

KJV: And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
BSB: After the voice had spoken, only Jesus was present with them. The disciples kept this to themselves, and in those days they did not tell anyone what they had seen.
Koinōnos: When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and reported to no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

LUK 9:29

[was] altered,:The word translated 'altered' here refers to a change in outward appearance, specifically a transformation that makes something different from its usual state, often implying a striking or noticeable shift.

LUK 9:31

going out:The term used here for 'going out' is the same word from which we get 'exodus,' carrying the strong connotation of a significant departure or a momentous exit, often with a sense of divine purpose or liberation.

LUK 9:32

wearied:The word translated 'wearied' suggests a deep, heavy sleep, as if weighed down by fatigue, rather than just being a little tired.

LUK 9:33

Master,:The address 'Master' here is a respectful title for a superior or overseer, often used by disciples addressing their teacher, indicating authority and leadership.