Luke 9:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

NIV: As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.

NASB: And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

CSB: As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

NLT: And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white.

KJV: And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

NKJV: As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.

Jesus has taken Peter, John, and James to a mountaintop. Jesus is there to pray; the other three fall asleep (Luke 9:28, 32). As Jesus prays, His appearance changes, reflecting the glory God the Son shares with God the Father.

Throughout this passage, there are several references to Moses' ministry. Here, Matthew says Jesus' "face shone like the sun" (Matthew 17:2). Moses, too, met God on a mountaintop and glowed with His glory (Exodus 34:29–35). Moses, too, experienced a "departure" (Luke 9:31), from exodos in Greek. Some scholars compare Peter's tents (Luke 9:33) to the tabernacle construction Moses oversaw. Many say the cloud that came over the mountaintop (Luke 9:34) is the same shekinah glory that descended on the tabernacle and led the Israelites during the day (Exodus 40:34–38).

"Dazzling white" in the ESV is translated "became white and flashing with the brilliance of lightning" in the Amplified version. One of the purposes of the transfiguration is to assure the witnesses that Jesus is the Son of God despite His impending death. At this moment, it seems to have the opposite effect (Luke 9:44–45): if Jesus' glory looks like this, how could the religious leaders reject and kill Him?

Luke 9:28–36 comes amidst calls to follow Jesus more deeply. This reveals why He is worthy of allegiance; it also resolves Herod's question and Peter's answer about Jesus' identity. Peter, James, and John follow Jesus up a mountain. Jesus' clothes become bright white, and Moses and Elijah arrive to speak with Him. When the two prophets leave, a cloud descends, and God the Father affirms Jesus. This transfiguration fulfills the promise Jesus made that "there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:27). The story is also in Matthew 17:1–8 and Mark 9:2–8.

Luke 9 completes Jesus' Galilean ministry and begins describing His journey towards Jerusalem. Jesus gives His disciples miraculous power and commissions them to preach. The empowerment thrills the disciples but confuses Herod Antipas. A hungry crowd of thousands and hard teachings about following Jesus, however, shows the disciples' faith is short-lived. The transfiguration and the demonized boy precede stories of the disciples' continued confusion. They still struggle to accurately represent Jesus. Luke 9:51–62 begins the "travelogue" (Luke 9:51—19:27) with examples of the patience and sacrifice needed to represent Jesus as His followers.

Luke 9 straddles the two major sections biblical scholars call "Jesus' Galilean Ministry" (Luke 4:14—9:50) and "The Travelogue to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51—19:27). The Galilean ministry alternates calls to discipleship with stories on Jesus' authority and teachings. The travelogue records what Jesus did and taught to prepare the disciples for His crucifixion. After a final group of stories on how to respond to Jesus (Luke 9:51—11:13) and several examples of how the Jewish religious leaders reject Jesus (Luke 11:14–54), Luke presents Jesus' teaching on the kingdom of God (Luke 12:1—19:27).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.