What is the meaning of Luke 9:28? About eight days after Jesus had said these things • Luke anchors the event firmly in history—“About eight days” (Luke 9:28)—linking it to Jesus’ recent prediction of His death (Luke 9:22-27). • The number recalls patterns of completion and new beginnings in Scripture; on the eighth day sons were circumcised (Leviticus 12:3), and eight people stepped off the ark into a renewed earth (1 Peter 3:20). • Matthew notes “six days” (Matthew 17:1); Luke’s “about eight days” likely includes the days of travel and the climactic day itself, underscoring the reliability of both accounts while demonstrating different counting conventions. • By setting a precise interval, Luke ties the coming revelation (the Transfiguration) to Jesus’ solemn call to take up the cross (Luke 9:23-26), assuring readers that glory will follow suffering just as surely as day eight follows day one. He took with Him Peter, John, and James • Jesus often drew these three aside: raising Jairus’s daughter (Luke 8:51), praying in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:37), now witnessing His glory. • Their presence fulfills the “two or three witnesses” principle (Deuteronomy 19:15; 2 Corinthians 13:1). • Each will later testify: – Peter: “We were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16-18). – John: “We have seen His glory” (John 1:14). – James: though martyred early (Acts 12:2), his inclusion validates the shared apostolic witness. • By selecting the same trio for both sorrow and splendor, Jesus models intimate discipleship—walking closest with Him means sharing both His cross and His crown. and went up on a mountain • Mountains mark divine encounters: Moses on Sinai (Exodus 24:12-18), Elijah on Horeb (1 Kings 19:8-13), and now Jesus on an unnamed peak, likely in the Hermon range near Caesarea Philippi (cf. Luke 9:18). • Ascending reinforces separation from earthly concerns, echoing Psalm 121:1, “I lift up my eyes to the hills,” and anticipating the heavenly voice that will soon speak (Luke 9:35). • The climb also previews Jesus’ ultimate ascent—His resurrection and exaltation (Acts 1:9; Philippians 2:9-11). • For believers, the scene invites us to rise above daily distractions to behold the Lord’s glory (Colossians 3:1-2). to pray • Prayer is the stated purpose; revelation follows communion. Luke repeatedly highlights Jesus at prayer before pivotal moments (Luke 3:21; 5:16; 6:12; 22:39-41). • The Son seeks the Father’s presence, illustrating both His humanity’s dependence and His perfect fellowship within the Trinity (John 5:19-20). • As Jesus prays, heaven responds—Moses and Elijah appear, and the Father speaks (Luke 9:29-35). Prayer thus becomes the doorway to divine affirmation, guidance, and empowerment (Hebrews 5:7; 7:25). • Our own transformation likewise unfolds in prayerful communion (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 12:2). summary Luke 9:28 shows Jesus deliberately timing, selecting, positioning, and preparing for an encounter that will unveil His glory. Eight days link the promise of suffering to the certainty of glory. The inner circle provides faithful witnesses. The mountain sets the stage for divine revelation. Prayer opens heaven. Every detail underscores the trustworthiness of Scripture and invites us to follow the same pattern: heed Jesus’ words, walk closely with Him, seek higher ground, and meet God in prayer, confident that revelation and transformation await. |
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