Luke 9:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

NIV: They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.

NASB: who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

CSB: They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

NLT: They were glorious to see. And they were speaking about his exodus from this world, which was about to be fulfilled in Jerusalem.

KJV: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

NKJV: who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

Jesus dialogues with two Old Testament characters—Moses and Elijah—about His coming crucifixion and resurrection. He has already told the disciples once (Luke 9:22). Peter responded by rebuking Jesus and telling Him He was wrong (Matthew 16:22). Jesus will tell them again, but they won't understand what He's talking about (Luke 9:44–45).

It's not clear why Jesus is talking to Moses and Elijah about this, but it's possibly for support. Jesus' closest friends can't even accept that He's going to die. Perhaps He wants to talk to people who, even though they haven't experienced crucifixion, will understand what is coming.

"Departure" in Greek is exodos. It can mean to leave or to die. In the Septuagint and literature from Hellenistic Jews, the same term was associated with the Israelites' rescue from Egyptian slavery. Likely, Luke uses the word to refer to Jesus' arrest, trials, crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension, but he sprinkles references to Moses throughout this passage, so he probably wants his reader to think back to the exodus, as well.

Jesus' exodus provides a much greater exodus for us. Because He died, we are freed from the slavery of sin. Because He rose again, we know that God accepted His sacrifice. Because He returned in a new body, we know we will be freed from our broken-down bodies and receive glorified bodies of our own (1 Corinthians 15:42–57). Because He ascended into heaven, we know that He is preparing a place for us to be with Him for eternity (John 14:2–3).

Luke reveals two things that Matthew and Mark do not. First, Moses and Elijah shine in glory, as well. Second, what the conversation is about. Luke is careful to include that Jesus' "departure" will happen in Jerusalem; His trials, crucifixion, and resurrection were in Jerusalem, of course, but even after He met the disciples in Galilee, He returned to Jerusalem for His ascension. In a few short verses, Jesus will begin that journey to Jerusalem (Luke 9:51).

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.