Luke 9:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him.

NIV: Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

NASB: Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him.

CSB: Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, and when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him.

NLT: Peter and the others had fallen asleep. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him.

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.

NKJV: But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him.

When Jesus ministers to crowds, He often doesn't have time to eat, let alone sleep. The disciples discovered how draining this could be (Mark 6:30–31). But Jesus values prayer more than sleep and makes it a priority (Mark 1:35)—an occasional nap in a storm notwithstanding (Luke 8:22–23). The disciples are not so disciplined, as the incident in the garden of Gethsemane proves (Luke 22:39–46), although there is no indication here that Jesus told them to stay awake and pray.

And so, while Jesus prays, the trio have fallen asleep. When they awaken, everything has changed.

Jesus does not look like Himself. He is not grimy and weary with travel. His clothes glow so brightly they flash like lightning (Luke 9:29, AMP). His face shines like the sun (Matthew 17:2). He is speaking to two men who also shine with otherworldly glory. Somehow, the three men recognize two pillars of their nation's history: Moses and Elijah. Jesus and the Old Testament saints are talking about Jesus' departure, or exodos, from Jerusalem (Luke 9:28–31).

Faced with these notable figures, Peter offers to make three tents for them. This is the wrong thing to say. Perhaps he is inferring that Jesus, Moses, and Elijah are on equal terms. If Jesus were only a human teacher, this would be an act of honor. But Jesus isn't just a human teacher (Luke 9:33). Or perhaps Peter is failing to grasp the magnitude of the situation. Moses and Elijah are not meant to stay. Jesus' ministry on earth is not merely a continuation of the old; He brings the fulfillment of the old and something new. Or Peter may simply be so stunned he is unsure what to do, and offering shelter so the men can remain is his instinctive reaction.

The shekinah glory of God descends on the mountain like a thick cloud. Peter joins James and John in silence as the cloud envelops them. God's voice thunders, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" (Luke 9:34–35).

Jesus is not "just" a teacher. This is not a mere king who will conquer the Roman occupiers and return freedom to the Jews. If so, He would be equal to Moses and Elijah and Peter's offer would be appropriate. But this is the Son of God and the Messiah; the three disciples need to listen to everything He says.

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.